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Showing posts from November, 2014

Former Students Offered Make-Up Special Education Services - Disability Scoop

Former Students Offered Make-Up Special Education Services - Disability Scoop A federal judge has ruled that some 1,800 special-education students who did not earn a high school diploma before they aged out of Hawaii’s public school system at 20 years old are entitled to free educational services to make up for the two years they were denied schooling as allowed under U.S. law. The additional services would not involve sending the students back to high school, but will include such transitional services as job training, college courses and independent life skills training, according to attorneys for the plaintiffs. The ruling stems from a 2010 class-action suit against the Hawaii Department of Education over a state law enacted that year that cut off public education at age 20. Students represented by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and Hono­lulu firm Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing challenged the law, arguing that the state allows students without disabilities who are older than 20 ...

Fox C-6 Watchdogs: State Auditor Tom Schweich's Victory Speech Talks About School District Corruption!

Fox C-6 Watchdogs: State Auditor Tom Schweich's Victory Speech Talks About School District Corruption! I wish that he had been more critical of Lee's Summit.  He did find many things that were not right, but he gave them an overall good grade.  If he took into account some of the things that go on in this district he would have seen the corruption in Lee's Summit.  But, he can only look at the money.  The corruption is beyond the money. State Auditor Tom Schweich's Victory Speech Talks About School District Corruption! State Auditor Tom Schweich was just re-elected on Tuesday November 4, 2014 to serve the state  of Missouri for another 4 years as state auditor.  Mr. Schweich gave an excellent victory speech.  I found his speech on  his Twitter account @AuditorSchweich . He is the taxpayer watchdog  for the state of Missouri. Mr. Schweich's office is currently auditing the Fox C-6 School District.  His staff has  their work cut o...

Over 40 candidates nominated for Missouri's top ed position | Education Dive

Over 40 candidates nominated for Missouri's top ed position | Education Dive Dive Insight: Nicastro, the current commissioner, has not exactly had the smoothest time in office. Last November, two legislators  called for her resignation , alleging that she often abused her power. To illustrate this claim, they pointed to leaked department emails that highlighted the ed chief's role in the creation of an anti-tenure measure. Moving forward, the state would ideally like a less controversial leader. That said, disputed leaders are somewhat difficult to avoid in the education world, as everyone has their own opinions on the "right" and "wrong" way to move education forward.

Teens Get Community Service In Ice Bucket Case - Disability Scoop

Teens Get Community Service In Ice Bucket Case - Disability Scoop Three teens who dumped urine, tobacco and spit on a 15-year-old with autism who thought he was participating in the “ice bucket challenge” have been ordered to apologize and do community service. A juvenile court magistrate in Cleveland directed the youths to write letters of apology to the teen with autism and his family at a hearing on Monday. They were also each assigned probation and either 100 or 200 hours of community service to complete, according to  The Plain Dealer . Another two teens involved in the case are participating in a court diversion program. Earlier this month, the three high school students  admitted  to their role in the Aug. 18  incident  in Bay Village, Ohio, which prompted widespread national attention. Video shows the young man with autism standing in his underwear as a bucket containing bodily fluids is poured over him. At the hearing Monday, The Plain Dealer reports ...

Autism and Academics: What Every Parent Needs to Know | Autism Key

Autism and Academics: What Every Parent Needs to Know | Autism Key Any parent with a school-aged child knows that both classroom issues and homework can often be overwhelming for students. And no one knows that better than the parents of a child with autism. Not only do autistic students have an academic curriculum, but they have a social curriculum which is every bit as demanding and exhausting. Deciphering a myriad of social cues, making incessant transitions, contending with sensory input – it’s a day’s work in itself. Is it any wonder that they balk when it’s time to hit the books at home?  Parents, take heart. Accomodating for a child with autism is their  legal right.   Extensions on due dates and taking a class pass/fail instead of having a letter grade can be very helpful in easing the stress and anxiety that are commonly associated with academics. If your child is dyslexic as many with autism are, proper spelling should not impact his or her grade. If writing...

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Henrico teacher's aide accused of cursing, assau - NBC12 - Richmond, VA News

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Henrico teacher's aide accused of cursing, assau - NBC12 - Richmond, VA News HENRICO, VA (WWBT) - A Henrico father sent his daughter to Pemberton Elementary School with a recording device. He claims he now has audio of the 8-year-old being verbally and physically abused by a teacher's aide. We can confirm the school system is now taking action. "Please," screamed little 8-year-old Presley, on a tape recording provided to NBC12 by her father. Those screams allegedly came from inside Pemberton Elementary School. Presley's father, Britton Ellis, sent Presley to school with a small recorder. "Put your hands down," screamed an adult to Presley. "Do you want to go to class? Do you?" "Ow!" cried Presley. Ellis claims the audio is proof that Presley was verbally and physically abused by a teacher's aide. "She has expressed to us that she is afraid to go back to school," said Ellis. Ellis says he placed the reco...

More than 100 School Leaders Chosen to Attend White House Conference on Digital Learning | U.S. Department of Education

More than 100 School Leaders Chosen to Attend White House Conference on Digital Learning | U.S. Department of Education All of the states around Missouri got picked, but not one in Missouri.  What does that say about our state? White House "ConnectED to the Future" Convening Attendees Superintendents being recognized for their leadership of #FutureReady Schools: Albemarle County Public Schools, VA – Pam Moran Alton Community School District #11, IL – Kenneth Spells Arkadelphia Public Schools, AR – Donnie Whitten Arlington ISD, TX – Marcelo Cavazos Arlington Public Schools, VA – Patrick Murphy Avonworth School District, PA – Thomas Ralston Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District, CA – Bryan Ballenger Barrington 220 School District, IL – Brian Harris Beaver Area School District, PA – Carrie Rowe Bristol Township School District, PA – Samuel Lee Butte County Office of Education, CA – Tim Taylor Camas School District, WA – Jeff Snell Charlottesville Cty Public Schools, VA –...

Abuse, Restraints & Seclusion in School - Wrightslaw.com

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Abuse, Restraints & Seclusion in School - Wrightslaw.com Abuse, Restraints and Seclusion  in School  Use of Restraints as Discipline  l  Physical & Sexual Abuse  l  Time Out/Seclusion Positive Behavior Support  (PBS) l  Protection & Advocacy Resources  l  Publications  l  Cases   l  Legislative Advocacy Senator Tom Harkin introduces “Keeping All Students Safe Act”  to establish safe school culture and prohibit the use of dangerous seclusion and restraints. Senator Harkin unveiled an  investigative report  that shows families whose children are being subjected to dangerous seclusion and restraint practices have little or no recourse through school procedures or thorough the courts. (February 12, 2014) Eight Million Dollar Settlement - Largest Ever Reported! - Abuse by Spec Ed Teacher!  On December 18, 2013 the Antioch School Board (California) approved a settlement because one of their...