cec news

Curriculum & Instruction  Magnet high school for gifted tops Newsweek's annual ranking Two Dallas magnet programs -- one for gifted students and the other for those interested in science and engineering -- led Newsweek's annual list of top U.S. high schools. The ranking of 1,500 public schools divides the number of students who take Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests by the number of seniors graduating, an approach that has prompted criticism as well as an explanation from the Washington Post columnist who designed the ranking system. The Dallas Morning News (6/10) Panel in Canadian province urges greater inclusion Alberta schools should do more to include students with special needs in mainstream classes and stop spending so much time on labels, a provincial committee said. "That is probably the last time you'll hear me use the words 'special education,' " said Dave Hancock, the Canadian province's education minister. The Edmonton Journal (Canada) (6/9) Designing an individualized education plan that works Educators and parents should work together with parents to craft individualized education plans that are transparent and understandable to all, says Donnalyn Jaque-Antón, who oversees special education for about 82,000 Los Angeles students. Use language that's understandable to parents and tells them clearly what to expect, she says. Her district provides parents with a video on the process. Disability Scoop (6/9)   Educational Leadership    Special educator is nervous about endangered loan-repayment program A California program that helps about 6,500 teachers repay up to $19,000 in college loans may be foundering in the wake of the state's economic troubles. Spring payments to teachers were delayed but are expected to go out shortly. Some, including a special educator, fear the program may face deeper troubles. The New York Times (6/9) Other News University of Mississippi Medical Center to close its autism school The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.) (6/9)   Make life better for children with special needs Penn State World Campus offers programs in special education designed to help you better serve your students. Graduate-level certificates are available in applied behavior analysis, special education supervision, professional development in autism, and reading instruction for special education. Classes start soon. CLICK HERE for additional information.   ADVERTISEMENT   Technology Trends  High-tech whiteboard gives a voice to boy with autism Interactive whiteboard technology has increased students' attention spans and especially aided one 12-year-old boy with autism, according to this article. The student draws on the SMART Board to communicate with his peers, even though he speaks only a few words and lacks the motor skills to draw on paper. Foster's Daily Democrat (Dover, N.H.) (6/7) Technology allows people with disabilities to text 911 People with limited speech or hearing will be able to send 911 text messages without special equipment or relay centers under new technology tested in Iowa that could eventually be rolled out nationwide. "The successful testing of text messaging to 911 from a wireless telephone is a tremendous emergency-services advancement for individuals who have sensory disabilities," said Richard Ray, chairman of the National Emergency Number Association Accessibility Committee. InformationWeek (6/9)   Policy News  Complaint: Utah must fix services for students with visual disabilities The National Federation for the Blind has filed a complaint alleging that the Utah state school for children with visual disabilities has "systemic" problems that must be fixed. Problems with outreach centers and the testing and evaluation of students with visual disabilities deny students their educational rights, the complaint says. Utah education officials said they hadn't yet read the complaint. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (6/10) Autism-coverage bill moves forward in Michigan House A Michigan legislative committee has voted to approve a bill that would increase insurance coverage for children with autism and send it to the full House for a vote. Supporters say health insurers should cover more behavioral therapies for autism, while critics contend the bill would raise health care costs. Detroit Free Press/The Associated Press (6/9) Other News Teacher: Some California special-ed programs likely will be the target of budget cuts The Orange County Register (Calif.) (6/9)   Eye on Exceptionalities  Major study will attempt to uncover the causes of autism About 1,200 pregnant women who already have a child with autism are being recruited to participate in a major study to track possible causes and early signs of autism. The study's principal investigator said studying families already affected by autism offers the best chance to learn whether environmental and genetic factors cause the disorder. The Wall Street Journal (6/9) , Disability Scoop (6/9) , The Sun (Baltimore) (6/10) Other News Study: Naps may reduce hyperactivity in young children Yahoo!/HealthDay News (6/8)   CEC Spotlight  Give your students the career skills they need to succeed Life Centered Career Education is a comprehensive transition curriculum based on classroom, home and community environments. Its lesson plans cover daily living skills, personal-social skills, and occupational guidance and preparation. Thoroughly researched and field-tested, LCCE is the official curriculum of several states. Find out more. Explore the most current research in special education "Journal of Special Education," a quarterly publication from CEC's Division for Research, presents primary research and scholarly reviews related to special education. Purchase your copy by calling 1-800-818-7243. Find out more. Learn more about CEC -> About CEC  |  Membership  |  News  |  Prof. Development  |  Publications & Products Assistant Executive Director for Membership Services CEC Arlington, VA SPED Consultant The Futures HealthCore D.C., USA   SmartQuote  No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent."