Blogging may help students understand value of writing

A new survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project explores the intersection between teens, technology, and writing.

Teens who blog write more not only online but offline, and may be practicing more practical writing than the SAT-style exercises used in many classrooms, according to a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project survey. "Blogging and other forms of virtual debate actually foster the very types of intellectual exchange, analysis and argumentative writing that universities value," said Bradley A. Hammer, an instructor in Duke University's writing program. eSchool News

When Young Teachers Go Wild on the Web

It's almost like Googling someone: Log on to Facebook. Join the Washington, D.C., network. Search the Web site for your favorite school system. And then watch the public profiles of 20-something teachers unfurl like gift wrap on the screen, revealing a sense of humor that can be overtly sarcastic or unintentionally unprofessional -- or both.

One Montgomery County special education teacher displayed a poster that depicts talking sperm and invokes a slang term for oral sex. One woman who identified herself as a Prince William County kindergarten teacher posted a satiric shampoo commercial with a half-naked man having an orgasm in the shower. A D.C. public schools educator offered this tip on her page: "Teaching in DCPS -- Lesson #1: Don't smoke crack while pregnant." Article click here

Like several other teachers interviewed, Webster said she thought her page could be seen only by people she accepted as "friends." But like those of many teachers on Facebook, Webster's profile was accessible by the more than 525,000 members of the Washington, D.C., network. Anyone can join any geographic network.

Local school officials say they have no policies concerning social networking pages or blogs kept by teachers. But they said that online improprieties would fall under general guidelines requiring proper behavior in and outside school and that sketchy Web sites would be handled case by case.
If teachers claim free speech protection under the First Amendment, Simpson said, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that governments can fire employees if their speech harmed the workplace's mission and function.

Teen Prodigy

Alia Sabur (born February 22, 1989 in New York City, New York) is an originally Iranian - American child prodigy and the world's youngest professor.
Sabur became known after being accepted into graduate school at the age of 14. She had left public school in 4th grade, was admitted to State University of New York at Stony Brook at the age of 10 and graduated summa cum laude at 14. She also received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 9.
After Stony Brook, Sabur attended Drexel University where she received her M.S. and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering. She has been hired as a professor at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea. On April 21, 2008, the Guinness Book of World Records named Alia the World's Youngest Professor, a designation previously held by Colin Maclaurin, a student of Isaac Newton, in 1717.

Florida special-educator named to national hall of fame

Longtime educator David Lazerson, who inspired the 2004 movie "Crown Heights," was named to the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Lazerson, 57, spent the first part of his career teaching inner-city and at-risk teens; now, he uses music to engage students with disabilities. "He has that God-given special ingredient that makes for a real teacher," said friend and former colleague Marcia Neuberger-Catz. "He reaches children, touches everybody's hearts." The Miami Herald

Special eatery employs special workers

Instructor Harriett Silverman, middle, oversees the students working at the K.C. Café. The 12 young adults cook and serve 45 to 60 customers Wednesday through Friday each week.

The K.C. Cafe, set in Pontiac Public Schools' Kennedy Center for special education in Michigan, employs 12 young-adult students who have autism, Down syndrome or other learning challenges. The eatery serves lunch and is open to the public. Detroit Free Press

Innovative Teaching with Technology

A video that shows how a school can incorporate technology to better educate their students.

Virginia may suspend rule requiring parental consent to end services

A proposed Virginia special-education change would no longer require schools to obtain parental consent before ending special services, and instead would require parents to make any challenges through a dispute-resolution process. Parents say they have too little say on IEPs, but school officials say the change will allow them to target services to students who need them most. The Washington Post

Electronic metronome may improve focus in children with disabilities

Samantha Diedrichsen, left, uses the Interactive Metronome, a brain-based rehabilitation assessment program, at Wiggles & Giggles Therapy For Kids. Helping her is Director and Occupational Health Therapist Jill Zaruba. Telegram photo by Julie Blum

Using an audio and video system to help students with disabilities keep a beat may later improve their focus and even reading scores, according to a special-educator who uses the tool, called the Interactive Metronome. "We needed a brain-training tool," said Jill Zaruba, director of a Nebraska pediatric therapy clinic. The Columbus (Neb.) Telegram

"Classroom Management for All Teachers" – Third Edition now available

This book offers easy-to-implement, research-based strategies to address problem behavior in on-task time/assignment completion and disruption/rule violation. The book presents behavior-management techniques to help teachers resolve discipline problems quickly and effectively. Find out more.

Heart group recommends EKGs before children take ADHD drugs

The American Heart Association said Monday that children should have an electrocardiogram to assess heart disease risk before taking stimulant medicines such as Ritalin to treat ADHD. Such drugs can elevate the heart rate and blood pressure, rendering young patients with heart conditions susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular problems. TIME/Associated Press

Technology allows students with disabilities to shine

With the aid of the right assistive technology, Boston students with severe disabilities are able to keep up with their mainstream classmates in ways never before imagined, special-educators say. "In the old days, it used to be the pencil and that's all it was," said occupational therapist Beth Lloyd. "I think technology just opens up a lot more possibilities for kids with a variety of abilities." The Boston Globe

Teacher suspended for refusing to administer standardized test

A Seattle educator who refused to give the Washington state standardized test to his class was suspended for two weeks without pay. Middle-school science teacher Carl Chew said he believes the test does little to help students or schools and instead takes time away from learning. The Seattle Times

Can early intervention steer kids away from special education?

Districts increasingly are adopting early-intervention programs meant to help boost the skills of struggling young people with the aim of having them avoid special education in later grades. And while some schools are reporting promising results, some parents and educators are concerned that children who do have learning disabilities will be forced to wait to get the extra help they need under this strategy, especially if it isn't bolstered by sufficient research. The Boston Globe/Associated Press

Children with disabilities wait patiently for papal blessing

Pope Benedict XVI touched the faces or hands of about 50 children with disabilities as the New York Archdiocesan Deaf Choir sang in sign language on Saturday. "She was so good, all the kids were amazing today," said Beatrice Kurtz, whose daughter Lauren, 11, has Down syndrome. The New York Times

Pennsylvania agency helps families of children with autism

Catherine Hughes with son Christian, 10, spend a moment together at home in White Oak, Allegheny County.

When 3-year-old Christian Hughes had such an extreme outburst in a Pittsburgh restaurant that his mother was jailed on suspicion of child abuse, a local agency helped her explain her son's disorder to court officials. The agency also helps families find autism-friendly pediatricians and dentists as well as providing other practical advice. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Children with autism learn safety, social skills in virtual reality

Virtual reality and autismInteractive: Safety and social skills learned in virtual reality translate into the real world.

Virtual-reality games are effectively teaching children with autism skills like crossing the street and social niceties that they often find more difficult in real life. Such technology limits distractions and soothes children with its predictability, says Gary Mesibov, who directs a North Carolina program that treats and educates children with autism. MSNBC

Students with disabilities proud of internship successes

Drew Lane inputs data into a computer at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown. Lane is participating in Project Search.
A hospital internship is helping Drew Lane, who has Asperger's syndrome, and more than a dozen of his classmates learn trades, such as data entry and cleaning, as well as on-the-job skills to make them more employable once they graduate. "When these students were in high school they were often the last person on the totem pole in their class. But here in this program they get to experience success and learn skills and you can just see their chests puff up with pride," said Tony Huff, who coordinates the program. The Cincinnati Enquirer

Artists with disabilities show off talents

Elizaberth Cores' paintings "Resurrection" (left) and "Narcissus," in the hallway at MossRehab at Elkins Park.

Nearly 70 artists and craftspeople with disabilities ranging from visual impairments to paralysis are displaying and selling their work in an international Philadelphia art show that runs through June 15. "I didn't know I was handicapped. My mother never told me," said woodworker Dick Wexelblat, whose childhood polio left him with only partial use of one hand. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Martial arts helps those with disabilities keep active

Tae kwon do and other martial arts are helping some Arkansas adults with developmental disabilities build self-discipline and strength as they learn to live more independently. "It's very important, especially for this population, to improve and maintain their balance and dexterity," said instructor Paul Hickerson. "People with developmental disabilities tend to age one to two times quicker than the typical population, so we really need to focus on keeping them moving, keeping them active. That's what I'm trying to do." Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville)

University of Iowa creates program for graduates with disabilities

Jim Autry and wife Sally Pederson are proud of their son, Ronald. He graduated from National-Louis University in Illinois, which had a program to assist students with disabilities. His parents were inspired to help the University of Iowa set up REACH — Realizing Educational and Career Hopes. It is the nation's second state university to have such a program.

Ronald Autry, who has autism, secured a good job and now lives in his own apartment after two years in a specialized college program. His success propelled his parents to help launch a new program, Realizing Educational and Career Hopes, at the University of Iowa for students with disabilities, which is only the second of its kind at a major U.S. public university. The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

Mothers launch center to help young adults with work transition

Three young men with cognitive disabilities have inspired a new Texas center for young adults with disabilities transitioning into the working world after they age out of special education. "It's inspirational to know how much our community cares; all we had to do was ask," said Pamela Ferrell, who created the nonprofit along with two other mothers whose sons were graduating. The Dallas Morning News

Senior says overcoming disabilities prepared him to work hard

Harford Tech's Gabriel Lincoln-DeCusatis served in the state's legislative page program during the session that ended recently and hopes to run for president in 2028. (Sun photo by Lloyd Fox / April 16, 2008)
High-school senior Gabriel Lincoln-DeCusatis overcame his learning disabilities to earn a 4.0 GPA, a place on his school's student government and a coveted spot as a legislative page. "I have to work harder sometimes," he said of his learning disabilities. "It's frustrating at times, but it's something I had to get used to a long time ago." The Sun (Baltimore)

Space still available for the Autism Spectrum Disorder Web seminar!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

With appropriate programming, students with ASD can have limitless potential. This April 22 online seminar will provide an overview of the Ziggurat Model and Comprehensive Autism Planning Systems, which are used across several states and in the province of Ontario, Canada. Click here for info.

Teen who loves to dance wins CEC award

Katherine Sullivan, 16, who has autism and Down syndrome, loves to dance, sing and play the clarinet. "Every time she comes I think she surprises me and does something else we didn't expect. She gets better and better every time," said Janet Lampo, one of Katherine's dance instructors. NewsChannel 34 (Binghampton, N.Y.)

Crohn's patient raises money for disease research

Caryn Powers is working toward a nursing degree and putting her life back together after spending her high-school years dealing with intense pain, surgery and powerful drugs to treat her Crohn's disease. The 20-year-old resident of Freehold Township, N.J., has gathered a team and sought out additional sponsors for a walk this summer to raise money for research. The Examiner (Freehold N.J.)

Students with disabilities recreate famous works of art

Special-education teacher Betsy Calvert wanted to expose her students with disabilities to things of beauty, but the exercise of having them recreate famous paintings has also given the students a creative way to extend their range of motion, relax their muscles and socialize. "There is something magical about using their fingers as a medium," Calvert said. The Washington Post

In need of some tips as a beginning special-ed teacher?

ANNOUNCEMENT!

This new Web seminar provides day-to-day survival tips for beginning special education teachers. You will discuss classroom organization strategies, the responsibilities of case-management, activities that focus on preparing for the first days of school, providing instruction in classroom procedures and more. Learn more.

Minnesota teacher of children with incomplete vision wins CEC award

Donna McNear, who teaches Minnesota children with visual disabilities and serves in CEC's Division on Visual Impairments, celebrated her CEC Outstanding Leadership Award earlier this month at the annual CEC convention. "I truly believe that her talents and expertise [have] helped to improve the success of individuals with disabilities," said Carl Augusto, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind. Isanti County (Minn.) News

Students with disabilities mix with collegians at CEC event

A Council for Exceptional Children event for older students in special education at Ohio's University of Toledo allows the young adults to relax and have fun with college students without disabilities. "It gives the exceptional students around the Toledo area the ability to come to campus to interact with college students close to their age," said Ashley Hall, the campus CEC co-president and a special-education graduate student. "It's a time for relaxation and to have a good time and dance." The Independent Collegian (Toledo, Ohio)

Zoo features art by children with disabilities

Alezae Babilonia, first-grader at Croton Elementary in Melbourne, pets "Kenua," a savannah monitor lizard.

Florida's Brevard Zoo will display artwork created by more than 1,200 Florida children with disabilities as part of the 20th annual Very Special Arts program. "This gives kids with disabilities a chance to be successful in areas other than academic," Brevard County school board Chairwoman Janice Kershaw said. Florida Today (Melbourne)

Outbreak drives parents to immunize

A rare Wisconsin measles outbreak convinced a parent who worries vaccines may cause autism to inoculate her 4-year-old son. "It's just a little scary," said Regena Peña. "It scared me into doing it." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Iowa district offers bonuses to new, experienced special educators

An Iowa district will spend $62,716 on bonuses to retain and attract special-education teachers, who are sometimes lured away to regular classrooms once they encounter the additional stress and constant paperwork. "I know that we've lost some good candidates to larger districts who offer bonuses," said retiring special educator Linda Myers. "We want quality people, and we want people who will stay." The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

Olympian with dyslexia hopes to inspire others

Molly Sullivan Sliney, a member of the U.S. Olympic Fencing Team in 1988 and 1992, speaks to students about her struggles with dyslexia and encourages them to achieve their goals. "Molly delivers her message in a clear and interactive style, sharing her many experiences - from growing up suffering with the learning disability dyslexia, to fencing and traveling all over the globe. She encourages students to pursue their dreams through goal-setting, hard work and motivation," said Camille Enos, an educational program coordinator in Massachusetts. The Herald News (Fall River, Mass.)

Mississippi funds screenings for dyslexia

Mississippi lawmakers have approved a law that will deliver $1.5 million to fund literacy screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.)

D.C. school requires all students take AP English courses, exams

Daniel Gordon, AP English teacher at Bell Multicultural Senior High School in Northwest Washington, helps Hermis Santos, 18, left, and Lachance Ngonzo-Biyo. Most Bell students are from low-income families in which English is not the first language, but all must take AP English.

High school senior Manuel Ventura only began speaking English five years ago, but along with all of his classmates at D.C.'s Bell Multicultural School -- who are mostly from low-income households where English is not the primary language spoken -- Ventura took the AP English Literature test as a junior last May and will soon sit for the AP English Language and Composition exam. Only three of 226 students at the school achieved a passing grade on an AP English exam last year, but school administrators say the AP courses teach far more reading and writing skills than do remedial English classes. Ventura says: "I really think it is a great opportunity for people like me. I feel proud of myself." The Washington Post (

Autism insurance limitations challenge families

Harry Schad, 7, of Manchester walks inside his house after planting apple seeds in his backyard.
Even though Molly and Steve Schad have insurance, they've tapped their home's equity, borrowed money and considered pawning her engagement ring to pay for $60,000 worth of treatment for their 7-year-old son Harry, who has autism. "If he was in a car wreck and lost speech, he would get speech [therapy]" covered by insurance, Molly Schad said. "You almost want to say, 'I dropped my kid on his head and now he can't talk.' You almost want to say that." St. Louis Post-Dispatch/STLtoday.com

Teacher assault underscores need for crisis training

Tamara Gabai taught English at Reginald Lewis High, where she says students rampaged through the halls. She now teaches at Towson Catholic High School. (Sun photo by Chiaki Kawajiri / April 12, 2008)

Baltimore art teacher Jolita Berry had a good mentor and good training, but said she was unprepared to defuse a situation with a sophomore student that turned violent and resulted in the teacher being assaulted during class. The Sun (Baltimore) (free registration) (4/11) , The Sun (Baltimore)

Parents increasingly hire special-education advocates

Cheryl Poe, who has a disabled child and has made representing other parents in schools her profession, consults with John Jamison about his son. (David B. Hollingsworth The Virginian-Pilot)

Paid special-education advocates are more often accompanying Virginia parents as they meet with educators about their children's needs. "As a parent, you don't know the laws inside and out. I don't have time to research the laws and know if they're telling me the truth or not," said parent Lona Hyde. "It's the school system versus the parent. It is not a team." The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk-Portsmouth-Virginia Beach-Chesapeake)

Online testing a potential headache for some Minnesota educators

As Minnesota prepares for its first online standardized science test, some educators are concerned they will encounter some of the same glitches that invalidated 1,300 tests in a computerized math exam administered by the state last year. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Collaboration, teacher coaching improve student performance

Rather than simply pressuring teachers to raise student performance, policymakers should ensure educators have all the resources and knowledge necessary to do so, write Stephanie Hirsh and Joellen Killion of the nonprofit National Staff Development Council. Research suggests that collaboration, mentoring and instructional coaching, which are not always part of professional development programs for educators, are key elements in creating successful schools, they write. Education Week (premium article access compliments of Edweek.org)

D.C. schools still behind on special-education rulings

WASHINGTON (AP) — D.C. officials say the city's public school system will be unable to comply with terms of a federal court order to improve services to special needs students by June.
In the 2006 consent decree, the school system agreed to reduce by 65 percent a huge backlog of decisions from hearing officers regarding the timely placement of students in special education programs.
But a data analyst appointed to monitor the city's efforts told a federal judge Monday that the system is implementing only 29 percent of the decisions and won't meet the goal by June.
Judge Paul Friedman expressed frustration, saying reform efforts must move quickly.

Poet with dyslexia wins Pulitzer prize

Philip Schultz’s son Augie assisted at a book signing for “Failure” in Tucson.

As a student, Philip Schultz struggled with dyslexia and didn't learn to read until the fifth grade, but this week he shared a Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Each Pulitzer is accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (N.Y.)/Associated Press