Just want to share, the Council for Exceptional Children has compiled the most read special education news articles this past week:
1. Service dog enhances P.E. lessons for students with disabilities
Florida physical-education teacher Steve Miller uses a service dog as part of lessons for students who have disabilities. The dog, "Mr. Newton," works in schools throughout the district and helps encourage Miller's students, some of whom do not speak, to participate in activities such as running laps and playing catch. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (01/10)
2. How have San Diego schools adjusted to the new inclusion model?
The San Diego Unified School District began its move toward the inclusion of students with special needs in neighborhood schools following a 2008 report showing that students often were taught in separate classrooms. According to an analysis, some parents and educators have criticized the move as rushed and disorganized, with particular concerns relating to the way principals and teachers were trained for the change. Some say schools have since adjusted and students with special needs are thriving under the new model, but others say ongoing challenges remain. Voice of San Diego (01/09)
3. Survey looks at defining, identifying giftedness in U.S. schools
Definitions of giftedness vary widely among 48 of the U.S. states that have established definitions, according to a new national survey set to be published in the Journal of Applied School Psychology. Most states include "intelligence" and "high achievement" as part of their definitions, while few consider the performing arts or student motivation as factors. In contrast to past policies, no states use just an IQ score to identify students as gifted, the survey found. Huffington Post, The (01/05)
4. Understanding why students with disabilities are bullied
Maurice Elias, director of the Social-Emotional Learning Lab at Rutgers University, offers some considerations for educators, based on the state's new anti-bullying regulations, concerning why students with disabilities are more often than those without disabilities the targets of bullying. Among other factors, teachers should understand that students with disabilities often have different appearances and behaviors, may be socially isolated or lack relationships that help protect them from bullying. They also may be less likely or able to defend themselves, Elias writes. Edutopia.org (01/12)
5. Special education includes focus on life skills at Wash. school
Students with disabilities at a middle school in Washington state learn life skills alongside academics. Peer mentoring and technological resources are used with the students, who are taught how to read a schedule, how to follow a recipe and other skills needed for independent living. "It's challenging because no kid is the same, so you have to tailor it to their needs," teacher Erin Townsend said. SnoValley Star (Issaquah, Wash.) (01/11)
6. How to involve students in formative assessments
Author and high-school teacher Larry Ferlazzo offers suggestions and advice on involving students in the process of formative assessment. Simple activities include having students reflect on what they have learned from mistakes or create goal sheets for tracking their progress, he writes. Education Week Teacher (01/10)
7. Children with autism have different gut bacteria
More than half of the tissue samples collected from the stomachs of children with autism showed a relatively large amount of Sutterella bacteria, according to a study in the journal mBio. Researchers noted that this bacteria was not detected in the tissue samples taken from children without autism, but said more study is needed on the link between gut bacteria and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism. HealthDay News (01/10)
8. Child with Down syndrome is featured in Target ad campaign
New Jersey six-year-old Ryan Langston, who has Down syndrome, has appeared in print advertisements for Nordstrom and now is featured as a model in a national campaign for Target. His inclusion in the ads is drawing attention from those who note that the ad does not specifically target those with special needs. "The greatest thing that Nordstrom and Target are doing is that they're not making any reference to his disability. He's just another cute kid," said his father, Jim Langston. Disability Scoop (01/09)
9. Supreme Court declines to hear appeal in special-education case
Education Week (01/09)
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