Updates

The CAP report is the third in recent months to provide a closer look at the day-in, day-out work of students and teachers. In September, “The Opportunity Myth” from nonprofit The New Teacher Project showed that less than one-fifth of the assignments students complete meet college readiness standards, and that low-income students, English language learners, students of color and those with disabilities are far less likely than students not in those groups to be assigned grade-level work.  READ MORE

How have some Chicago schools improved student reading performance? Leadership is essential — leadership and 13 practical strategies to nurture concrete, measurable gains in reading! This week, Education World tells what principals and teachers do in some of Chicago’s most successful schools and how they do it! READ MORE

Many high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities dream of going to college, but historically, for most of them, that dream has been dashed against hard realities — colleges were not ready for them, and many people believed they could not function there. Now that reality is changing. More and more colleges are opening their doors to welcome these students, paving new postsecondary pathways for individual with IDDs that equip them with the life skills, social abilities and job preparation necessary to live as independent adults.  READ MORE

After winning a four-year battle, Navy Capt. Cassidy Norman and his wife, Michelle, thought they had finally cleared the path for their severely disabled daughter to receive the educational opportunities she needs. They faced down withering pressure from the Virginia Beach School District as they fought to ensure that Marisa was in the best learning environment — a private school with smaller classrooms and more individual attention. Yet the district is once again suing to get Marisa Norman back into public school.  READ MORE

Each year, more than 100,000 American schoolchildren are subject to corporal punishment. Another 120,000 are physically restrained or locked in seclusion. Millions are suspended or expelled. Many — if not most — of these children have one or more disabilities.  READ MORE

Attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against Denver Public Schools on behalf of more than 10,000 disabled students who the suit alleges likely will be harmed more than other students by the teachers strike. The civil lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Denver on behalf of a child identified only as E.A. by Aurora attorneys Igor Raykin and Tyler Jeffery. The lawyers are seeking class-action certification for the lawsuit. READ MORE

New research suggests that incidents of bullying and other harassment targeting kids with disabilities vary depending on what sort of special needs a child has. A study looking at the experiences of 791 young people ages 10 to 20 across the country found that those with learning disabilities were more likely to experience in-person harassment while those with physical disabilities were more often victimized online. Youth with depression experienced both online and in-person harassment, the study found.  READ MORE

The Library of Congress is accepting applications for week-long summer programs for K-12 educators through March 10. Held at the Library in Washington, D.C., the professional development provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into classroom teaching — with a special emphasis on student engagement, critical thinking, and construction of knowledge. The application deadline is March 10.  READ MORE

In preparation for the CEC 2020 Convention and Expo, CEC is calling for presenters. The deadline for proposals is March 15, 2019. Please see the Call for Proposals for more information.