SMARTBRIEF on Special Education

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Curriculum & Instruction Sponsored By Educator: Focus on "giftedness" in all students Teachers should strive to find "giftedness" in all students, educator Cheryl Mizerny writes in this blog post. She calls for the use of instructional strategies often used in gifted-education classrooms to be used with all students, especially those who may be struggling. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (2/19) Share:  Other News Spotlight: Early intervention in one Md. school district Maryland Gazette (2/17) Share:  The New You Starts Here. Reach the students who need you the most. Autism is the fastest growing disability area in the U.S. and your fully online Master of Science in Special Educationdegree leads to an Autism Endorsement. Earn your advanced special education degree in just 12 months from FIU Online. Start here.   Educational Leadership Sponsored By D.C. schools pilot personalized PD Ten schools in Washington, D.C., are participating in a personalized professional-development program in which teachers can choose from different options to meet their needs. Options include virtual coaching and online learning. EdSurge (2/17) Share:  Making Caring Common, April 28 - 30 in Cambridge, MA Incidents of bullying, disrespect, and conflict are common in many schools. This highly interactive professional education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education introduces strategies and processes to change school culture, address challenging behaviors like bullying, and promote social-emotional and ethical strengths. Learn more.   Technology Trends Sponsored By How technology is reshaping math class (Gajus) Some schools in four states and Washington, D.C., are expanding on the blended-learning model by using technology to develop customized math lessons for students. One such school in New York City -- profiled in this article -- holds math lessons in an open classroom with as many as 150 students. The Hechinger Report (2/19) Share:    Earn a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction 100% Online Penn State's College of Education is regularly ranked among the nation's best graduate schools, according to U.S. News & World Report, and the online master's program is taught by the same nationally recognized faculty. Develop new skills or help advance your career goals—all online! Policy News Sponsored By States take action to restrict restraint, seclusion State lawmakers -- from Hawaii to Ohio to Washington state to Alaska, and beyond -- are taking steps to pass legislation that limits restraint and seclusion practices. "In varying levels, there's probably some group in every single state working on [restraint and seclusion]," Eric Buehlmann, deputy executive director for public policy for the National Disability Rights Network in Washington, said. Education Week (tiered subscription model) (2/18) Share:  Report suggests ways to improve Calif. special education A California task force has published recommendations for special education. Proposed changes include allowing special-education teachers to teach general-education classes and increased transparency about school districts' steps to improve education for students with disabilities. EdSource (2/19) Share:  Other News Federal officials investigate building accessibility at Boston College The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (2/18) Share:  "Should be on every teacher's must-read list" (Jim Trelease). In Defense of Read-Aloud, by Steven Layne, challenges and inspires teachers of all grades and subjects to make the most of this essential literacy practice. Includes valuable tips on preparation, book selection, and how to read with expression to engage students. Preview the entire book online! Eye on Exceptionalities U.K. nonprofit helps gamers with disabilities continue playing SpecialEffects -- a charity based in the U.K. -- is helping individuals with physical disabilities reconnect with their gaming identities. The charity taps the expertise of assistive-technology specialists to modify game controllers and setups. The Guardian (London) (2/20) Share:  SmartQuote Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start." -- Nido Qubein, businessman and motivational speaker Share: