| News for special education professionals |  |
- Opinion: School vouchers could solve special-education problems
Vouchers allowing school choice are the best way for students with special needs to get appropriate education, according to two senior fellows at the Manhattan Institute. Federal law requires that public education be available to students with disabilities, but schools over-diagnose students with learning disabilities to qualify for funding, they write. Vouchers could save money and allow parents to send children with special needs to schools they feel are appropriate. Forbes
(8/18)      
- Children with special needs have unique back-to-school needs
Students with individualized education plans may require back-to-school supplies outside the traditional pencils, paper and books. Disability Scoop offers a roundup of resources for the new school year, including a primer on IEPs, strategies to keep children with disabilities focused in the classroom and the best ways for children with special needs to transition into adulthood. Disability Scoop
(8/18)
 | Seeing is believing.
Now, the premier writing solution in schools offers powerful assistive features to help students with special needs improve confidence and accelerate learning. Learn more. |
| Educational Leadership |  | |
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- Son with autism inspired mother to become special-education teacher
Caring for her son with autism was so difficult that Detroit mother Claudreen Jackson became depressed and struggled to find compassion. Jackson turned her trials into a passion to advocate for people with disabilities and became a special-education teacher at age 50. Now 70, Jackson has written a book about her life's journey. The proceeds will benefit a foundation named for her 34-year-old son with autism. Detroit Free Press
(8/19)
- Ohio advocate and educator trained teachers about dyslexia
Jean Armus, an Ohio educator who worked to dispel the stigma of dyslexia and develop teaching techniques to help people overcome the learning disability, died Saturday at age 77. Armus began studying dyslexia in the 1960s, when reading problems were often diagnosed as laziness. In the 1970s, she opened a tutoring service to help children with dyslexia and train teachers. The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)
(8/17)
 | Increase Student Achievement Through Research-Based Literacy — AbleNet's MEville to WEville fosters reading and writing development for students with significant disabilities. The multi-year curriculum aligns to state content standards, as outlined under Title 1, Part A and fulfills ARRA spending on quality literacy curriculums. Learn more. |
| Policy News | | |
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- Despite lure of funding, some states still say no to charter schools
Eleven states have refused to allow charter schools, putting access to federal Race to the Top stimulus funds for education at risk. The Obama administration and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have said charter schools are a crucial factor in qualifying for Race to the Top funding. But with some teachers unions opposed, politicians may find it difficult to change state laws. Google/The Associated Press
(8/17)
- Event organizers in London look to improve accessibility
Some organizers of London festivals and special events are looking to become more inclusive of people with disabilities by providing greater accessibility and more targeted activities. The disability-awareness group Attitude is Everything audited three London festivals last year and is offering suggestions to organizers. Among them: offering sign language interpreters, power access for wheelchairs and handicapped-accessible restrooms. The Guardian (London)
(8/19)
| Eye on Exceptionalities | | |
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- Brain retraining might help alleviate schizophrenia
 Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to retrain itself, is being considered by scientists as a possible treatment for schizophrenia. The technique has shown effectiveness against dyslexia, stroke and other impairments. Scientists successfully used sound training to improve the recall of patients with schizophrenia in a recent study at the University of California, San Francisco. Newsweek
(8/18)
- Research: MS, high blood pressure may be connected
A possible link between multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure could result in cheaper treatments for MS. Researchers found higher levels of an enzyme connected to high blood pressure in the brains of patients with MS. In a study at Stanford University, a blood-pressure drug helped reverse paralysis in mice. Chicago Sun-Times
(8/18)
| CEC Spotlight | | |
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The latest CEC Today: CAN Coverage, A Money-Saving Program Just for Teachers and More
In the latest issue of CEC Today, you will read about this year's CAN meeting, get tips for organizing your classroom and learn how -- or if -- your students benefit from being graded. Check it out.
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Save the date for CEC's 2010 Convention & Expo
Take part in the premier professional-development event for special educators, April 21 to 24 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn. Visit CEC's Web site to check out the venue, learn more about Nashville and download save-the-date materials. Find out more.
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| | Recent CEC SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, August 18, 2009
- Monday, August 17, 2009
- Friday, August 14, 2009
- Thursday, August 13, 2009
- Wednesday, August 12, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Amy Dominello
Contributing Editor: Sarah McFarland
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