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- Touch helps students grasp language better
 Touch helps students learn to read and helps adults acquire other languages by connecting visual and audio signals, according to a study. Adult students who combined their learning with tactile stimuli learned more efficiently, researchers reported. ScienceDaily
(3/18)     
- English-language learners in NYC make gains in proficiency
More New York City students learning English passed proficiency tests last year than ever before, according to a city report. More also passed state English and math tests; however, older students still struggle and nearly 70% of city ELL students do not graduate on time. NYTimes.com
(3/17)
| Educational Leadership | | |
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- Technology to be the focus of teacher training
About 60 Arizona teachers will receive training in June on how to use technology, such as podcasts and text messages, to engage their students in classroom lessons. "Not all students are excited about school, so you have to use things they are aware of and that might have the 'cool factor' that will get them excited about learning," said Gail Barker of the University of Arizona, which is co-sponsoring the teacher-training program. Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
(3/19)
| Technology Trends | | |
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| Policy News | | |
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- Complaint alleges autism-insurance research was flawed
Parents who advocated for a bill to require insurers in Oklahoma to cover autism therapy say an actuary presented a biased analysis of how much such a mandate would add to premiums. The analysis said the bill would cause a rate increase of between 7.8% and 19.8% rather than the 1% or less predicted by other estimates. MSNBC/The Associated Press
(3/18)
| Eye on Exceptionalities | | |
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- More research points to autism-amygdala link
The amygdala may be key to differences in people with autism, according to University of Washington researchers. Adults with autism have increased activity in that brain structure, researchers found, echoing previous research that found abnormal growth patterns in the amygdalas of children. ScienceDaily
(3/19)
- Depression may inhibit enjoyment of good experiences
People who are depressed may be unable to enjoy positive experiences, according to research that counters previous theories that the disorder is caused primarily by negative emotions. "Since depression is characterized by negative thinking, it is easy to assume that depressed people learn the negative lessons of life better than nondepressed people -- but that's not true," said study co-author Laren Conklin, an Ohio State University graduate student in psychology. ScienceDaily
(3/19)
| CEC Spotlight | | |
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Veteran special-educators share their survival tips
CEC's blog, Reality 101 for New Teachers, is designed for teachers new to the classroom. This month's bloggers are Mary Kemper Cohen and Joyce M. Meyer, co-authors of the "Survival Guide for the First-Year Special Education Teacher." Find out more.
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Honor the best of the best at CEC's Teacher of the Year Luncheon
Special-educators who go the extra mile deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments. CEC's Teacher of the Year Luncheon will be held Saturday, April 4, during the Convention & Expo in Seattle and will honor the 2009 Clarissa Hug National Teacher of the Year and CEC's 2009 State/Provincial and Division Teachers of the Year. Purchase your ticket today! Find out more.
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