The North Central Regional Summit on RTI will be held October 29-31, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Chicago O'Hare Hotel. Teams of 5-6 SEA staff from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are invited. The Summit will provide an opportunity for action planning to follow up on the National RTI Summit and focus on RTI implementation in middle and high schools, especially regarding funding, equity, and evaluation. National expertise and SEA teamwork will be emphasized. Partner sponsors include the North Central Regional Resource Center (NCRRC); the Great Lakes East, Great Lakes West, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Continent, and North Central Comprehensive Centers; and the National Center on Response to Intervention. Please contact Maureen Hawes, Center Coordinator, at if you would like additional information about this event.
Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Recent Information Requests Submitted to the NCRRC
Information Services provided reports in response to 3 Information Requests in July. The following list describes the requests, using the descriptor terms from the Matrix thesaurus as an organizing device. Attached is a list of the actual questions as well. Please contact Chris Opsal, Information Specialist, at if you would like further information about any of these searches.
1. Students, Data management, SEA 2. IEP, Management, Case load 3. TA, Monitoring, Part C
Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map
Recently, the Illinois Early Learning Council requested that the University of Illinois (in collaboration with Chicago Metropolis 2020, a business advocacy group) create an interactive web-based tool including community demographic information (i.e., income levels, population distribution, Latino population, and parental employment) and birth to 5 early care and education data from state agencies, Head Start, and the private sector. A comparison of national resources by states on various indicators is also available. The tool is called the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM). For more information, contact Dawn Thomas at .
Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
NASDSE’s New Project Forum Policy Analysis
Project Forum has recently published a new policy analysis: State Eligibility Requirements for Specific Learning Disabilities by Eileen M. Ahearn, Ph.D. This document can be found at the Project Forum web site here. Project Forum’s aim is to facilitate improved services to children and youth with disabilities by gathering and sharing information that supports changes to policy and practice at the national, state, and local levels.
Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
CELL Publishes 70 New Practice Guides
The Center for Early Literacy Learning is pleased to announce the publication of 70 new practice guides which were developed to help practitioners and parents promote the early and emergent literacy skills of young children with disabilities or delays. The practice guides are organized by age and type of literacy skill. There are 31 infant, 22 toddler, and 17 preschool practice guides that can be printed and used by parents or practitioners.
Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Making the Connection Institute Hosts Event in Missouri
The Making the Connection Institute is hosting a meeting on September 17 - 18, 2008 at the Hilton President Hotel in Kansas City, MO. The purpose of the meeting is to identify strategies for collecting, reporting, and using data across Part B Indicators 1, 2, 13, and 14 of the SPP/APR for program improvement. This event is being co-hosted by the North Central Regional Resource Center (NCRRC), the Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC), the National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC-SD), the National Post-School Outcomes Center (NPSO), and the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC). Registration for the Institute and hotel reservations must be completed by August 11, 2008. For more information on the Institute, click here.
Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2008
Recent Information Requests Submitted to the NCRRC
Information Services provided reports in response to 4 Information Requests in May. The following list describes the requests, using the descriptor terms from the Matrix thesaurus as an organizing device. Attached is a list of the actual questions as well. Please contact Chris Opsal, Information Specialist, at
if you would like further information about any of these searches.
1. Administrators, Special education 2. Compliance, Case load, Special education, Related services 3. Funding, Part B, IDEA 4. Hearing officers, Training, Due process
Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2008
ECO Center Paper on Child Outcomes
The Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) Center has recently released a draft report on child outcomes titled "Setting Targets for Child Outcomes." This paper analyzes state comments on OSEP targets for SPP/APR Indicators 3 under Part C and 7 under Part B/619. In addition to the analysis, the report also suggests for a plan for setting future targets once baseline data is established. To read the report, click here.
Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2008
New CII Report on Low-Performing Schools
The Center on Innovation and Improvement (CII) has released a new report on actions successful school leaders have taken to improve low-performing schools. This report, School Turnarounds: Action and Results, provides specific actions taken in case studies from several schools. The report also discusses why the definition of improvement is taken to mean meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). This document can be found here. Please note that you will need to complete a short survey before being able to download the file.
Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2008
Draft Agenda for the Eighth National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute Available
A draft agenda for the Eighth National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, Supporting Natural Environments and Inclusion for Children Birth - Age Five, has been posted on the Institute’s website. This event is co-sponsored by the FPG Child Development Institute, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the National Early Childhood TA Center (NECTAC) and will be held from June 22-24 in Chapel Hill. Registration is still open at this link, and the agenda can be found here.
Posted on: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
NSTTAC Teleconference on Part B Indicator 13
The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) will be hosting a teleconference summarizing its Part B, Indicator 13 resources on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 2:00-3:00 pm (CST). Also included will be a set of questions states can use to determine their technical assistance needs for Part B, Indicator 13. There will also be time for Q&A. During the call, it may be useful to go to the SPP/APR Calendar and click on Part B, Indicator 13. To access the call, dial (866) 593-4318 and enter conference code #52777255.
The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) has two new documents in their Response to Intervention (RtI) Blueprint series: Response to Intervention Blueprints for Implementation: District Level and Response to Intervention Blueprints for Implementation: School Building Level. A State Level Blueprint will also be available soon. These documents include step-by-step guidelines for implementing RtI, as well as other resources and tips. To obtain free PDF versions of these documents or to order print copies for $10 each (plus shipping and handling), please go here.
Posted on: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
NCCRESt State Profile for Cultural Responsiveness in WI
The National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt) has recently published A State Profile of Efforts to Create Culturally Responsive Educational Systems: Wisconsin. This document analyzes Wisconsin’s efforts to address disproportionality among culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education and provides recommendations for further improvements.
Posted on: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
NCRRC Regional Meetings
The North Central Regional Resource Center (NCRRC) hosted its 4th Annual Region 4 Part C/619 Coordinators' meeting at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI on May 28-29, 2008. The meeting focused on General Supervision. The Data Accountability Center (DAC) presented on data accountability, the Early Childhood Outcomes Center (ECO) presented on the validity and reliability of outcomes data, and MO Part C presented on evaluating improvement activities. The Region 4 Part B meeting will be June 24-25, 2008 at the Westin Hotel in Columbus, OH. It will also focus on General Supervision and will include presentations from DAC and various States in the region. For more information on these meetings, please contact Maureen Hawes, Center Coordinator, at 612-624-1144 or
.
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2008
Recent Information Requests Submitted to the NCRRC
Information Services provided reports in response to 6 Information Requests in May. The following list describes the requests, using the descriptor terms from the Matrix thesaurus as an organizing device. Attached is a list of the actual questions as well. Please contact Chris Opsal, Information Specialist, at
if you would like further information about any of these searches.
New “Doing What Works” Website on Early Childhood Language and Literacy
The U.S. Department of Education has recently enhanced their “Doing What Works” website with new content on Early Childhood Language and Literacy. The new information is focused on developing phonological awareness skills and utilizing interactive and dialogic reading practices to improve language and literacy skills. Additional information includes five early childhood education reports by the Department’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2008
NASDSE’s New Project Forum Policy Analyses
Project Forum has recently published two new policy analyses: Optional IDEA Alternative Dispute Resolution by Kelly Henderson and Synthesis of Two Reports on Critical Issues for Special Education in Charter Schools by Eileen Ahearn. These documents can be found at the Project Forum site here. Project Forum’s aim is to facilitate improved services to children and youth with disabilities by gathering and sharing information that supports changes to policy and practice at the national, state, and local levels.
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2008
NECTC Publishes New Research Brief
The National Early Childhood Transition Center (NECTC) has recently produced a new research brief: Desired Family Outcomes of the Early Childhood Transition Process by Gloria Harbin, Beth Rous, Nancy Peeler, Joneen Schuster, and Katherine McCormick. It describes transition services for young children as well as important family outcomes that should be considered.
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bookshare.org Webinar
Bookshare.org will be holding a webinar hosted by Jim Fruchterman, its founder and CEO, on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 1:00-2:00pm (CDT). Bookshare.org offers students with qualified visual impairments, physical impairments, or dyslexia free access to its digital library, which includes textbooks, children’s books, special collections, and periodicals. An overview of the website’s growing collection of accessible media, membership options, assistive technologies, and other important news will be provided during the webinar. Organizations that serve children with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities are encouraged to participate. For an accessible version of this webinar, please send them an e-mail. For the online version, register here and enter registration code: web521fw.
Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
On May 13, 2008, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) posted proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities Program and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities Program, as published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2006. These proposals have not previously been available for public comment. OSERS has identified the following issues in their proposal: (1) parental revocation of consent after consenting to the initial provision of services; (2) a State’s or local educational agency’s (LEA’s) obligation to make positive efforts to employ qualified individuals; (3) representation of parents by non-attorneys in due process hearings; (4) state monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement of the Part B program; and (5) the allocation of funds, under sections 611 and 619 of the Act, to LEAs that are not serving any children with disabilities. Comments must be received on or before July 28, 2008.
Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008
New Website for RTI from NCLD
The National Center for Learning Disabilities has recently launched a new website as part of its initiative on Response to Intervention, the RTI Action Network. The website features content on implementation of RTI from preschool to postsecondary education, as well as information for educators and families.
Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008
NPSO Creates New Document for Part B Indicator 14
The National Post-School Outcomes Center (NPSO) has recently created a new tool to assist state education agencies (SEAs) with collecting and using post-school outcomes data, entitled “Indicator 14 SEA Activity Timeline with NPSO Resources.” It includes a calendar timeline of the data collection process for Indicator 14 and links to relevant NPSO resources for each step of the process.
Recent Information Requests Submitted to the NCRRC
Information Services provided reports in response to 6 Information Requests in April. The following list describes the requests, using the descriptor terms from the Matrix thesaurus as an organizing device. Attached is a list of the actual questions as well. Please feel free to contact Chris Opsal, Information Specialist, if you would like further information about any of these searches.
1. Definition, IFSP, Indicator, Part C 2. Developmental disabilities, Eligibility, Preschool children, Preschool services 3. Funding formulas, Low incidence disabilities, Severe disabilities 4. Parents, training 5. Speech therapy, Recruitment, Related services, Higher education 6. Survey, Parents, ESL, Native language, Part B
