Special Education and Student Services Facebook

The Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services Facebook page has been completed. You are encouraged to view and provide me any feedback.

Connection of WMELS and the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards

The WMELS address expectations for young children between birth to first grade. The Wisconsin Common Core State Standards address what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Since the WMELS and the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards both address the kindergarten level, it is suggested that local school districts use both documents to guide curriculum, instruction and assessment decisions.

For more information about the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards:

http://www.collaboratingpartners.com/wmels-documents.php

For more information regarding the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards:

http://dpi.wi.gov/standards/index.html

Free Technology Resources

1. School Tube: online video hosting and sharing resource exclusively for K12.  Videos are produced by students and approved for appropriateness. Students can explore topics such as academic subjects, sports, news, and current events.  http://www.schooltube.com/
2. Thinkfinity: Free curriculum resources, thousands of K12 lesson plans, video, audio, worksheets, and links to websites. http://www.thinkfinity.org/
3. Discovery Education Streaming: online resource featuring 9,000 full length videos and 71,000 content specific clips tied directly to state and national standards as well as thousands of images, audio clips, and encyclopedia articles. We have a subscription at MAMS http://www.discoveryeducation.com/

Medical Billing Parent Permission – IEP M-5 Form

At each annual IEP meeting we will be asking parents to sign permission to bill Medicaid for billable services if their child becomes Medicaid eligible.  We need permission each year to bill Medicaid.  Medicaid funding helps support our local special education programming and staffing.  Medicaid eligible services include OT, PT, Speech, Transportation, School Health, Evaluations, School Psychological Services, and Attendant Care. This will not take away Medicaid funding for children when out of school.  A child may become eligible for Medicaid billing at anytime during the duration of the IEP.

Medford Adult Diploma Academy

Medford and NTC have agreed to a partnership to run our Adult Diploma Academy.  This will allow any adult students between the ages of 18 to 21 who are Medford residents to participate in the program.  Any adult who resides in Taylor County over the age of 21 can also participate in this program.  We offer two options for adults to earn their traditional high school diploma.

Read Write and Gold Training

Read Write and Gold is an assistive technology literacy software option that we learned about at the SLATE conference.  I will be scheduling a 60 minute webinar of this product looking at January 20 at 3:30 or later that week.  Our staff feels this has more options than what Kurzweil currently provides.  The website is http://www.texthelp.com/ for more information.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a well-established health profession that uses music to assist
with rehabilitative, adaptive, and developmental goal areas.  A trained music
therapist uses musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and harmony to
achieve functional, nonmusical goals.  Music therapy is not simply listening to
or playing music.  Specific treatment techniques are chosen based on clinical
and scientific evidence.  Music therapy can be used to address the following
goals and objectives:

•        To increase expressive language and communication
•        To improve fine and gross motor skills
•        To improve timing and symmetry in gait and other motor movements
•        To improve retention of academics
•        To increase attention and on-task behavior
•        To provide structure to organize information (mnemonic device)
•        To improve executive functioning (problem solving,
        organization, decision making, reasoning, and comprehension)
•        To assist with activities of daily living and compensatory training

I would like your feedback if these services would be needed for our students with significant disabilities.  These would be written into the IEP as a related service.  This would not replace regular music class for students but be a supplement.  For more information on Music Therapy Services from a local provider you can go to: http://www.mtscw.com/index.html. I have used Music Therapy in our severe programs in my prior school district.

Twitter Resources for Education

The Ultimate Twitter Guidebook
http://edudemic.com/2010/06/the-ultimate-twitter-guidebook/

50 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom
http://www.universityreviewsonline.com/2005/10/50-ways-to-use-twitter-in-the-classroom.html

Twitter for Learning 55 Great Articles
http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2010/03/twitter-for-learning-55-great-articles.html

Describing Special Education, Related Services, Supplemental Aids and Services, and Program Modifications and Supports

Information Update Bulletin 10.07

Describing Special Education, Related Services, Supplemental Aids and Services, and Program Modifications and Supports  http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/bul10-07.html.

Autism Internet Modules

24 Evidence Based Practices including 1 hour video trainings and implementation checklists. Resources for effective programming interventions for learners with autism, including evidence based practice modules from the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/

School Leaders Advancing Technology in Education Conference 2010

Here is how to get to the SLATE Conference handouts.

Click here <http://www.awsa.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=470> to access the conference resources.  The Password is SLATE2010.

Student Services Team meeting

There was a Student Services Team meeting on November 23.  Agenda items included:

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting presentation by Don Everhard

NTC Student Success Center Accommodations

Modeling Bullying Policies

Learning Disabilities Criteria update

Taylor County Family Support Program

Wisconsin Comprehensive School Counseling Model

Suicide Prevention

Child Trauma Toolkit

Educational Services for Children Placed in Foster Care

High School Graduation and Students with Disabilities: How Students with Disabilities meet the High School Graduation Requirements

If you would like any of this information please contact me.

State Superintendent Conference on Special Education and Pupil Services

I attended the 26^th annual State Superintendent’s Conference on Special Education and Pupil Services Leadership issues in November.  If you are interested in any of the handouts that are available at: http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/falleader10.html.

ACCESS for ELL Testing

ACCESS for ELL testing materials have arrived.  ACCESS testing is done on an annual basis to determine the language proficiency level of limited English proficient students.  ELL students will be assessed by:

MAES and SES = Lucia Albrect

MAMS = Jessica Martin

MASH = Barb Krenz

SLATE 2011 – District Presentation

I have been asked to be a presenter for the School Leaders Advancing Technology Education Conference in 2011.  AWSA told me they are aware of the many great things happening in our special education department and use of technology and they asked me to present. This is a credit to our excellent special education staff and students along with continued support of Board of Education and administration for our programs and initiatives. 

Learning Disabilities Criteria

Two notes released from DPI on December 9:

1) The new SLD rule, effective December 1, 2010, applies only to referrals received on or after that date.  For referrals received prior to December 1, 2010, LEAs may use the previous SLD criteria and the old ER-2 form.

2) Last week's email stated that the three additional roles for IEP team membership will not be required to be implemented until such time that a school building has made the switch to using RtI as a part of the determination for SLD eligibility.  We want to clarify that as we considered the implications of immediate implementation of this requirement, we were concerned that its effect would be to force districts and buildings into using RtI before they are required or perhaps ready to implement this part of the rule.  Schools should be moving toward implementation of a RtI model but have three years before they are required to have the system fully in place.

Extra-Curricular Activities for Students Who Are Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Act requires the "full participation" of students in school. The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) suggests that paying fees for students to participate in extra-curricular activities should be made on a case-by-case basis, weighing the extent to which participating in an extra-curricular activity is critical to keeping a child or youth engaged and successful in school vs. the costs associated with meeting the greater needs of all the students who are homeless in the district.

Whenever possible, if an extra-curricular activity is academically focused, and the fees are reasonable, the district should be allowing students who are homeless to participate in the extra-curricular activities. Title I funds can be used to pay for students who are homeless to participate in extra-curricular activities, except for sports activities. Districts can connect with community agencies to ask for their support in allowing students who are homeless to participate in sports (from DPI)

Traumatic Brain Injury and Challenging Behavior

Visit http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/tbi-webcast-chall-behav.html to view the new webcast series on Traumatic Brain Injury and Challenging Behavior:

1. The Effects of TBI on Student Behavior

2. Ten Strategies for Preventing Challenging Behavior after TBI

3. Using FBA to Understand Challenging Behavior after TBI

4. Planning Interventions for Challenging Behavior after TBI

21st Century Skills Links

Parents’ Guide to Facebook: http://bit.ly/90P9P3

iPad helps Zac talk to his family again: http://bit.ly/gGcWWw

iPad Changes the World for Kids with Special Needs: http://tl.gd/7cekve

85+ Resources: Educator Guide for Integrating Social Media: http://tl.gd/7bnb2r

How to use Flickr in the Classroom: http://bit.ly/hDJILb

The Power of Twitter and Student Blogging: http://bit.ly/fkZ35g

Very Comprehensive List of Apps: http://tl.gd/7aq3r5

The iPad – Breaking New Ground in Special Education: http://bit.ly/eCj2ej

Top 200 free apps: http://tl/gd/7dp15k

24 interesting Ideas for Class Blog Posts: http://bit.ly/9rXed4

Practical Advice for Teaching with Twitter: http://bit.ly/bLn5YU

50 Awesome Ways

to use Skype in the Classroom: http://bit/ly/gycPEt

47 Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom: http://t.co/xX8Z3RT

Complete Facebook Guide for Educators

Here is a link to the Complete Facebook for Educators: http://jeffthomastech.com/blog/?p=6887

You will find information on:
Educational Uses of Facebook
100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom
50 Useful Facebook Tips for Teachers
8 Ways Facebook Enriched a First Grade Classroom
Using Facebook to Connect with Students and Parents
Facebook Applications for eLearning
A Teacher's Guide to Using Facebook
Facebook Top 20 Learning Applications
Unofficial Facebook Privacy Manual

Learning Disabilities Criteria for Wisconsin

Here is the link to our Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction power point presentation on our new Learning Disabilities Criteria   http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/pdf/ld-new-rule-12-2010-ppt.pdf

A Guide for Writing IEPs

DPI would like you to know the Updated Guide to Writing IEPs has been
posted at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/pdf/iepguide.pdf .

Early Childhood Outcomes Reporting Process

Beginning July 1 all children who are receiving Special Education Services between the ages of 3-6 will be reported through the Early Childhood Outcomes reporting process. Each district has been through
the self assessment cycle and has experienced this reporting process which will next school year be done for all children in this age range every year. There have been a few changes to the process. A review of the process and the changes put in place will occur at CESA 10 on March 25, 2011. Please make your staff aware that this is coming and identify who should attend the training.  (Email from Mary Joslin at CESA 10)

COTA

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant position is an important position in the delivery of special education related services in the areas of Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration.  We are fortunate the past two years to have a contract with Memorial Health Center and shared a COTA position.  Our OT caseload continued to remain at high levels throughout this process.  This year MHC was unable to find a suitable replacement.  CESA 10 did not have a COTA position for us to contract with them.  The administrative team decided to post for a COTA position.  We have since interviewed and offered the position to Kelli Elmhorst who has graciously accepted the position.  Pending Board of Education approval on her hiring and contract, Kelli will begin in three weeks.

COTA position will provide a unique role for the school district.  They will help assist our Occupational Therapist Caroline Radlinger in the carrying out and delivery of OT services per student IEPs.  Kelli will provide these services for all students from 3 years of age up to 21. Under our OT's supervision, Kelli will help students with sensory integration, fine motor skills, assistive technology, occupational skills, adaptive daily living, and many other skills.  We will be better to remain in compliance with IEPs and delivery of services for students with disabilities.

COTA position required a two year degree which Kelli has.  She has also worked for the past two years at a nursing home and she is excited to work with the school age population.  The district needed a COTA position due to OT caseloads over the state statutes requirement. 

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for Week of December 13

Please contact me for further information about any of this information from this week's newsletter.

Items:
Learning Disabilities Criteria Update from DPI
Consent for Medicaid Billing Services - M-5 IEP form
Special education meeting dates per building
Learning Disabilities Criteria Overview trainings - new dates
SLATE 2010 Conference handouts link
SLATE 2011 - District Presentation
Autism Consultant
Saxon Math training date
ACCESS for ELL testing
Special Education and Student Services Blog
Special Education and Student Services website
Twitter - 114 followers
ARRA Recovery Budget Summary
Extra Curricular Activities for Students who are Homeless
Traumatic Brain Injury and Challenging Behavior
Free Applications for use on iPad
COTA update
iPad use in Special Education
Carol Wieman update

Learning Disabilities Criteria Update

Note from DPI:
The new SLD rule, effective December 1, 2010, applies only to referrals received on or after that date. For referrals received prior to December 1, 2010, LEAs may use the previous SLD criteria and the old ER-2 form.

Last week's email stated that the three additional roles for IEP team membership will not be required to be implemented until such time that a school building has made the switch to using RtI as a part of the determination for SLD eligibility. We want to clarify that as we considered the implications of immediate implementation of this requirement, we were concerned that its effect would be to force districts and buildings into using RtI before they are required or perhaps ready to implement this part of the rule. Schools should be moving toward implementation of a RtI model but have three years before they are required to have the system fully in place.

Special Education and Student Services Newsletter for Week of December 6

Items

Kathie Shaw Recognition
Learning Disabilities Criteria and Regulations of December 1 trainings
Wilson Reading Level II Certification Practicum Supervisor
Formative Observations
SLATE Conference
Special Education Advisory Council
Early Childhood Program and Kindergarten Support
Taylor County Early Childhood Sub Committee
Birth to Three Transition Agreement
Student Services Secretary Position Responsibilities