Resources for Special Education Professionals |
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June Update
This newsletter is designed to inform special education professionals about the different resources available to them to support their work with students and families.
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This edition of AJE's newsletter for Special Education Professionals includes:
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Classroom Tools and Resources
We hope you find our information helpful. If you do, please forward it to colleagues!
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Public Virtual Workshop on Supporting Children with Disabilities: Lessons from the Pandemic
June 13, 14, 15, 2022
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Board on Children, Youth and Families will host a 3-day virtual workshop focused on Supporting Children with Disabilities, Lessons from the Pandemic. The event is designed to explore promising approaches and innovative strategies employed during the pandemic to address challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families. This includes access to clinical service and treatment needs, home caregiving, and mental health treatment with an emphasis on underserved/under resourced children and families. In addition, the workshop will consider policies and/or practices that might be sustained or implemented beyond the pandemic to support children with disabilities and their families.
Day one (June 13) will include panels focused on lived expertise, hospital and outpatient settings (including telehealth), and school and educational settings.
Day two (June 14) will feature panels focused on home care settings, state and federal policy, and health equity.
Day three (June 15) will include panels on public health and emergency planning and planning for recovery, as well as closing reflections from planning committee members.
This workshop is sponsored by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. More information is available at the project's website here
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Public Meeting Announcement
Thursday, June 16, 2022
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The DDC will require vaccination and a facemask to attend the in-person public meeting. If you or any stakeholder is not vaccinated but would like to participate, please register as virtual. Please confirm your attendance In-Person or Virtual and let us know if you need any accommodation. ASL and Spanish interpretation and captions via CART will be provided!
Virtual: Link will be sent after registration.
Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 837 8121 0316, Passcode: 985059
This meeting is open to the public. To request reasonable accommodations, please contact Alison Whyte by email at alison.whyte@dc.gov or by phone/text at (202) 340-8563.
Mission: The DC Developmental Disabilities Council seeks to strengthen the voice of people with developmental disabilities and their families in DC in support of greater independence, inclusion, empowerment and the pursuit of life as they choose. We strive to create change that eliminates discrimination and removes barriers to full inclusion through our advocacy.
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Recruiting parents/caregivers for feedback on NSCH questions
For Parents of Children ages 3-17
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for parents and caregivers of children ages 3–17 to give their feedback about questions in a national survey about children’s health topics.
We are especially looking for parents or caregivers who meet one or more of the following criteria:
· Has a child with some degree of permanent hearing loss
· Has a child who lives in another household at least part of the time
· Has ever tested positive for COVID-19
· Has a child who has ever tested positive for COVID-19
For Parents of Young Adults ages 18-22
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for parents and caregivers to give feedback about questions in a national survey about health topics related to children and young adults.
We are looking for parents or caregivers of a young adult age 18-22 that meets one or more of the following criteria:
The research session will be conducted online using secure videoconferencing. The session will take about 60 minutes. We will provide $50 to each eligible person who participates in the 60-minute session. Federal employees are not eligible to receive the $50.
If interested, please complete this short questionnaire:
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What You Need To Know: OSSE
OSSE Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to DC’s ESSA State Plan for Accountability:
For the last several months, OSSE has engaged with school leaders, teachers, families and stakeholders about updating our Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan for measuring and reporting school performance and accountability. In response to the extensive feedback we received, OSSE has published a draft of new school accountability system and is now opening it up to public comment from June 1 through July 8. In order to present a full picture of schools in our city, we encourage you to share your perspective through public comment and to share this opportunity with other stakeholders in your networks.
The revisions to the accountability system prioritized the following goals:
Improve equity
in measuring performance;
Better reward growth,
both relative to starting point and/or compared to similar schools and more growth-focused metrics; and
Strengthen measurement of priority areas:
o Gap closure for historically underserved students;
o College and career readiness;
o Students with disabilities; and
o Attendance.
Highlights of major proposed changes to the Accountability system:
- Improve the growth measurement for English Learners to better align with data and research related to language attainment;
- Increase the metric points for academic growth in elementary and middle schools resulting in academic progress being weighted three times as much as academic achievement;
- Add a measure of academic growth for high schools based on student growth in statewide assessments from one year to the next;
- Include a measure of Attendance Growth as well as Chronic Absenteeism for all schools;
- Add Dual Enrollment into the College Readiness metric which used to be only AP/IB Participation measures;
- Add five-year graduation rate into the accountability system for all high schools;
- Revise the student group weights applied to accountability calculations. Decreasing the weight on the “all students” score and increasing the weight on the relative performance of economically disadvantaged and each race/ethnicity is a major lever in reducing the association of accountability calculations with socio-economic levels; and
- Remove the star rating from the accountability system. There will be an overall calculation, but it will not result in a single summative rating.
You can view the proposed ESSA state plan amendment on OSSE’s website.
The following documents outline the revised accountability system and the overall revisions made in the ESSA state plan.
The final proposed changes will be posted on the website and reflect any revisions made as a result of public comment. The final accountability components of the plan will be presented to the State Board of Education (SBOE) in advance of their vote on the accountability system at their public meeting in July. Once approved by the SBOE, the ESSA state plan will be submitted to the US Department of Education for final approval. Implementation of the proposed changes would occur following the 2022-23 school year.
The public comment period is open from June 1 through July 8.
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What You Need To Know: OSSE- DOT
Community and Family Engagement Event – June 11th
Are you confused about transportation services and would like more information about it before the return to school? Below is an event hosted by OSSE and DOT Services about just that! You don’t want to miss out!
This school year has been one of many adjustments for all of us. In preparation for a return to school in the fall of 2022, OSSE DOT has committed to providing families with a better understanding of DOT operations, and to provide guidance that will support a smooth and seamless transition into the ’22-23 School year.
OSSE DOT will be hosting a community engagement event for prospective and current families to receive information on transportation services, speak directly with staff from various departments, explore the bus, and attend small workshops on various transportation process’ including bus safety. Additionally, we hope to have other agencies and organizations in attendance to offer information about other social services available to District residents.
This event will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Woody Ward Recreation Center. It will be open to families of students who are eligible for transportation services in the District as well as community members with an interest in our services. I have attached the event flyer for details.
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Summer Referrals to Early Stages
The summer months are a time for many families to make decisions about where their children will attend school. A family’s enrollment decision may impact the Early Stages process for District children aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months.
- Starting June 1, Early Stages will evaluate any DCPS-enrolled or pre-enrolled children referred during the summer months. Beginning on the first day of SY22-23, DCPS schools will resume responsibility for accepting referrals and evaluating their enrolled students.
- For children who have already attended or are enrolling in a public charter school, Early Stages cannot evaluate or determine eligibility for special education services. We will transfer any referrals we receive for charter-enrolled children to their appropriate charter school.
- Early Stages continues to provide developmental screenings and evaluations for any referred District child who attends a child care center or a private school or who is homeschooled or not yet enrolled.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
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Refer a Child
Anyone may refer a child between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 10 months to Early Stages for a screening. Click here to refer to Early Stages. For younger children, click here to refer to Strong Start. For older children, contact the child’s school. If you have any questions about where to refer a child, call or email Early Stages, and we will point you in the right direction.
Learn with Early Stages
Early Stages offers free workshops on many early childhood topics. Individual professionals and parents/guardians may attend one of our public workshops. Visit Our Calendar to view all upcoming public workshops. Professionals may also sign up as single attendees through OSSE’s DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC). Organizations interested in educating a team of professionals or a group of parents/ guardians may book a group workshop by emailing education@earlystagesdc.org. Visit Workshops to learn more about learning opportunities with Early Stages.
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Newest US Green Ribbon Schools
Congratulations to Whittier Elementary and American University, the newest US Green Ribbon Schools from the District of Columbia! Recognized by the US Department of Education, these schools demonstrate efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. Read about the schools here.
National Pollinator Month
June is National Pollinator Month. This is a great time of year to establish a new pollinator garden in your school, enhance an existing pollinator garden, or teach students about pollinators by making connections between pollinators and the food we eat. Below are a few resources to help you with your efforts.
Summer Climate Change Education Opportunities with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Training Center
NOAA is offering several virtual opportunities to learn about climate change this summer. In July, join a cohort of Mid-Atlantic educators to gain skills, tools and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas, plus receive ongoing support throughout the year. They are also hosting a Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference. Check here for dates and descriptions.
Edible Schoolyard Project Virtual Summer Training Save the Date
June 21-24
Mark your calendars for this special opportunity to connect with kitchen and garden educators around the world! The focus will be on educators and organizations in the early stage of developing their programs and curriculum. The training will be offered at no cost to participants. Register here. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to training@edibleschoolyard.org.
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Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes
The Institute for Youth Development encourages youth development professionals in the District to participate in one of the upcoming workshops to learn new strategies that foster supportive environments for youth.
Register now! Space is limited.
On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, join the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and more than 40 companies, businesses, and organizations for an career fair at the RISE Demonstration Center. Individuals seeking employment opportunities should bring their resume and come professionally dressed. Learn more here.
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Important Information about 2023 School Year:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine Requirements for Students in the 2022-23 School Year:
In accordance with the Coronavirus Immunization of School Students and Early Childhood Workers Amendment Act of 2021, beginning in the 2022-23 school year, the COVID-19 vaccine is required for all students who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination that is fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their age. As of May 4, 2022, the FDA has fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals age 16 and older and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for individuals age 18 and older. If additional approvals occur, OSSE will communicate those updates as soon as possible.
Any student age 16 or older at the start of the 2022-23 school year must have received their primary COVID-19 vaccination series— or be proceeding in accordance with the series— or they will risk being removed from school. OSSE has revised the Immunization Attendance Policy for the 2022-23 school year to support schools and families with understanding and implementing this new requirement.
2022 Health and Physical Education Assessment (HPEA): Reminders
Between April 4 and June 24, 2022, all District public and public charter schools are required to administer the Health and Physical Education Assessment (HPEA) for grades 5, 8 and high school (high school students enrolled in a health class in the 2021-22 school year).Key Resources and Next Steps
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The 2022 LEA Guide, Proctor Script and Guidance Webinar recording are available here under 2021-22 School Year Resources.
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Assessment IDs are available for all LEAs in Box. Print and distribute to schools before your LEA assessment date.
- Log in to the HPEA Qlik application regularly during your LEA assessment window to review completion rates and follow up with schools to ensure 100 percent assessment completion.
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About AJE:
Advocates for Justice and Education is the federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and the Health Information Center for DC. AJE seeks to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth, particularly those who have special needs, receive access to appropriate education and health services.
Our passion is empowering families by equipping parents and students with disabilities with the tools they need to be their own best advocates.
Have questions? We are here to educate, advocate and empower. Contact us today!
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Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.| (P) 202.678.8060 | (F) 202.678.8062 |
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