CEC: Some teens with special needs choose GED over diploma

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Wilbur Hawke wrote: Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 10:36 AMTo: pspnsylvia@...>, , "Jeana Winter" , , " " , , "Sharon House" , "Shelby Knight" ,

, , <wtxpen@...Subject: FW: August 13, 2008 - Some teens with special needs choose GED over diplomaThe first article in this issue is an interesting solution to some of ourstudents graduation problems.Enjoy,JudyJudy HigginbothamRegion 2/3 TA Coordinator907 Barra Row, Suites 102/103son, NC 28036_____ From: CEC SmartBrief Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 3:51 PMTo: jhigginbotham@...Subject: **JUNK** August 13, 2008 - Some teens with special needs choose GEDover diplomaClick here for wireless version:http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/majIhxzOfhiVrFCibStGNWewAugust 13, 2008News for special education

professionalsCurriculum & Instruction *Someteens with special needs choose GED over diplomaGifted teens as well as those with learning disabilities are increasinglylooking to GED classes as an alternative to a high-school diploma, saycommunity college officials who often run GED programs. The nontraditionalsetting appealed to a Andriotakis, who finished her GED in six monthsso she could start college sooner, and Drew, who found the smallerclass sizes and individualized curriculum helped her manage her dyslexia.The Daily News (Newburyport, Mass.)(8/10) *Report: Some states change their tune on exit examsA growing public backlash against exit exams, coupled with high failurerates among students, has prompted several states to offer alternatives tothe exams, such as end-of-course tests in discrete subject areas, accordingto a Center on Education Policy report. "States are beginning to face themusic and to face the actual fact that nontrivial numbers of kids are beingtold they aren't going to get a diploma," said Chester E. Finn Jr.,president of the B. Fordham Institute, a Washington policy institute.Education Week (premium article access compliments ofEdweek.org) (8/13) *Poll: Americans view public schools, NCLB with growing skepticismAmericans are less confident in both public schools and NCLB than they werea year ago, according to a jointly sponsored Education Next and HarvardUniversity Program on Education Policy and Governance opinionpoll released thisweek. "While Americans retain an abiding commitment to public education, thegrades that they assign the nation's schools are increasingly mediocre,"write University of Chicago public-policy associate professor G.Howell, Brown University assistant education professor West andHarvard University government professor E. , who have authoredan analysis of the survey results that is slotted to run in the fall editionof Education Next, a journal published by the Hoover Institution at StanfordUniversity. Education Week (premium article access compliments ofEdweek.org) (8/12) "The best single book on the first days of school - The First Six Weeks ofSchool. I give copies to my K-6 teachers now to jump start the new year."Concrete strategies for turning intention into practice. Guidelines, dailylesson plans, sample activities.Click here fordetails.Educational Leadership *LasVegas-area schools short on special educatorsWhile its overall teacher shortage is far smaller than in previous years,the County school district is especially short on special educatorsthis year. About 220 are still needed.

LasVegasNow.com(8/11) *Makehands-on activities workOrganization is key to prevent student activities from turning into chaos,writes blogger Cody, a National Board-certified middle-schoolscience teacher who now coaches other science educators. Most students havehad little experience with such experiences so they need to learn how towork cooperatively, follow directions, collect data carefully and managetheir time. Teacher Magazine/Living in Dialogue(8/10) *Educators learn from studentsMore than two dozen fifth-graders in the University of Michigan's two-weekElementary Mathematics Laboratory

are learning tough math concepts, butthey're also helping educators better understand students' struggles withmath. College students, educators and researchers observe the students'progress from risers along one side of the room and pore over students' workwhile the college transmits video of the class -- taught by the university'seducation dean -- so more researchers can observe as well. Education Week(premium article access compliments ofEdweek.org) (8/13) Time for a classroom makeover! InSpaces & Placesbest-selling author Debbie Diller shows you how to organize and manage yourclassroom to support literacy learning and independence. Richly illustratedwith over 300 full-color photos.Click here

fordetails!Technology Trends *Company to manufacture vehicles designed for people with disabilitiesA new vehicle designed to be more accessible to people with disabilitieswill soon be manufactured by a new Michigan company. The founder, a formerGM executive, expects about 15,000 to 20,000 will be sold every year.Detroit Free Press(8/13) * Other News *Headset will allow face, brain to control devicesThe Palm Beach Post (Fla.)/ News Service (8/10) Atomic Learning's New

Assistive Technology Tutorial Collection Atomic Learning, award-winning provider of Web-based technology training, isproud to announce the new Assistive Technology Collection. The collectionincludes short show-and-tell video tutorials that empower educators to useand apply assistive technology including special education software,assistive technology devices, and software accessibility training.ADVERTISEMENTPolicy News *Paralympics may help Chinese athletes beat stereotypesThe Beijing Paralympics may help Chinese athletes with disabilities makestrides toward combating long-standing cultural prejudices, experts say. "Inthe past, people despised the disabled. They thought they were all beggars,just asking for money,"

said Paralympic swimming coach Li Ke-qiang, who ismissing an arm. "But now, when they see disabled swimmers like these, theycan see how hard they're driving themselves. And that's a start." BBC(8/13) *Resources help parents trying to plan for child's futureSupport groups and online resources can help parents of children with autismand other developmental disabilities set up trusts that can provide forchildren with disabilities without endangering their Supplemental SecurityIncome or Medicaid. In addition, so-called letters of intent allow parentsto instruct caregivers or courts about their wishes for a child's care ifthe parents die. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)(8/11)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Funds Tight? Pick Positive Action, the top-rated,evidence-based program with What Works Clearinghousefor: academics,behavior, and character. This multi-useprogram can be usedfor: RTI and other Special Ed, Title I, Behavior and Character goals. Itteaches learning for life, including the basics and the arts, and supportsthe whole child.Interested in learning more about advertising in CEC SmartBrief? Contact JoeRiddle at x228 or jriddle@....Eye on Exceptionalities *Business

travel difficult for parents of children with autismParents of children with autism who travel frequently for work face specialdifficulties in keeping schedules consistent, experts say. "I can't explainanything," said television producer Candi Nichols , whose child,Emerson, has autism and is nonverbal. "I had to go to Vegas for four days towork on a show. ... I can't explain that to him. ... The next day, he wakesup and his mother is just gone. It's got to be traumatizing." The New YorkTimes(8/11) CEC Spotlight * Summer school for special educators --learn about RTI at your computer! Get the answers to your questions on Response to Intervention with CEC's Webseminars. "Introduction to RTI" provides key concepts and guidelines of RTI,and "Implementation of RTI at the School Level"

presents the components ofinstruction at each RTI tier, including general-education services,needs-based instructional services and special education services. Find outmore .* Looking for cost-effective ways to trainyour staff? CEC's Professional Development options -- now on the Web -- offercost-effective strategies to train large groups of people. Check out CEC'snew Web seminars, regional workshops and online trainings offered for 2008.Find out more.Learn moreabout CEC ->About CEC|Membership|News | Prof. Development|Publications & ProductsSmartQuote You've got to have the guts not to be afraid to screw up."--Fuzzy Zoeller ,professional golfer This SmartBrief was created for jhigginbotham@... Subscriber ToolsUpdateaccount information | Changee-mail address | Unsubscribe|Printfriendly format | Webversion | Searchpast news | Archive|PrivacypolicyAdvertiseSales Account Director:Joe Riddle x 228 * Download Media KitRecent CEC SmartBrief Issues: * Tuesday, August 12, 2008* Monday, August 11, 2008* Friday, August 08, 2008* Thursday, August 07, 2008* Wednesday, August 06, 2008Lead Editor: Rush Contributing Editor: Tammy Oseid Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW,Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005© 1999-2008 SmartBrief, Inc.® LegalInformationNo virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.comVersion: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.2/1609 - Release Date: 8/13/20086:43

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