New Growth Model to Measure Student Progress As you may have heard in last week's news headlines, Massachusetts has developed a statistically valid method of measuring growth in student, group, school, and district performance over time, using the MCAS System. This is called the "Growth Model." Clearly, measuring student progress is of great interest to all stakeholders. As PAC leaders, you will want to talk about the growth model with school district administrators.
The state's new website on the Growth Model can be found here: http://www.doe. mass.edu/ mcas/growth/ [If the link does not work, please paste it into your browser.] The website includes an Interpretive! Guide, a PowerPoint, a tutorial, a report on the Spring 2009 Pilot of the Growth Model, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Growth Model can be found here.
The official October 27th press release on the Growth Model (with some very interesting information! ) can be seen here.
ESE and WGBH/WGBY Link Online Resources for Educators Teachers Will Have Access to Free Digital Resources Linked to State Standards
MALDEN - The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has partnered with the WGBH Educational Fou! ndation and WGBY in Springfield to launch a new online resource for teachers to provide free access to more than 2,200 classroom-ready media tools.
Massachusetts Teachers' Domain (MTD) is a localized edition of Teachers' Domain, a nationally used database of digital resources for educators, and contains lesson plans and media clips that have been developed to align with the state's curriculum frameworks. MTD is linked directly to MassONE, the state's existing online portal for educators, which offers web-based tools and resources to support and connect teachers across the Commonwealth.
The link for the complete news release can be found here.
In this report, the American Association of Pediatricians indicate that the prevalence rate for autism now 1 in 91 children and 1 in 58 boys.
This article appeared in the Needham Times last month.
Positive Leaders is offering a parent seminar entitled There is a college seat for everyone!... more information
Harvard Medical School and Mass. General's Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit are conducting a family genetic study of Tourette's Syndrome (TS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Families with at least one child between the age of 6 and 21 should consider this flyer.
This is the letter the SEPAC board wrote to Christine Brumbach and Cc'd school committee advocating for development of a social skill curriculum that is scientifically tracked for effectiveness.
SPEDWatch has announced Walk for Special Education Rights to take place at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield on August 29, 2009. Register and donate walk Web site.
Please take a moment to fill out our programming survey for next year! Your participation will help us plan an effective program for all. Thanks!
New Observation Law Goes Into Effect The State Legislature recently passed a change to the special education law that grants parents timely access for parents and their designees to observe the child in the current program and any proposed program. A detailed technical guidance paper from Marcia Mittnacht, State Director of Special Education, can be found here.
New Transition Rights for all 14 and 15 year olds! In August, Governor Patrick signed a new law (S.286) which requires school districts to initiate special education transition planning and transition services at age 14, rather than age 16. Parents and educators applaud law-makers for this critical legislation, as delay until age 16 (the middle of high school) is too late to facilitate effective transition planning. More information...
Kristin Cina (a senior nursing student at Boston College, working in a practicum at Hillside School), has invited our children to the Festival of Friendship at BC on April 4, 2009!
TEC is putting on a free training for parents and educators on Teaching Play Skills to Children diagnosed with Autism and PDD at their facility in Dedham, March 19th at 5:45pm – 7:15pm.
Presentation to the School Committee This slide deck (PDF format) was presented to the School Committee by the Special Education department and Needham SEPAC on January 6, 2009.
Meet the Candidates: All parents are invited to the parent open forums to meet the Elementary Special Education Director finalists held on Thursday, January 22, and Wednesday, January 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Media Center at Broadmeadow School.
Survival Guide: The DMR Northeast Region ACCESS Team has published a Party and Holiday Survival Guide for all kids, especially those with Autism, Sensory Difficulties, or other Challenges.
A middle/high school social pragmatics group is going to start at The Education Cooperative (TEC) in January 2009 This is a group that parents would pay for themselves if they would like their child to participate. Here is a flyer about the group.
Is your child having trouble learning how to speak? The Speech Lab at Boston University is seeking 4-6 year old volunteers for a language study -- more information available here (PDF format).
Presentation to the School Committee This slide deck (PDF format) was presented to the School Committee by the Special Education department and Needham SEPAC.
New Newsgroup We have a new Yahoo newsgroup for postings of interest to Needham parent members of the Needham SEPAC. Please join to ask questions and share resources and community meeting information.