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Description: Anne Beninghof presented two training sessions on Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) for the T/TAC at William and Mary on February 22, 2024 and March 6, 2024. (These recordings will be available for one year.) Note: TTAC Online does not provide certificates of completion for these presentations.
Description: Co-teaching teams and administrators are invited to observe model co-taught lessons and exemplary practices in action at demonstration sites across the Commonwealth. Regional TTAC representative contact information is provided to schedule an in-person or virtual visit to one of these exemplary demonstration sites. If you are interested in becoming a demonstration site, please contact: Dwana Cooper, Coordinator, Specially Designed Instruction, Virginia Department of Education,...
Description: Each self-paced professional learning session is offered at no cost to Virginia public school educators and provides 3-5 hours of professional learning. These sessions guide educators in learning about specific HLPs through videos that model exemplar teacher behaviors. Educators may enroll in any of the following professional learning sessions described below: Enroll in School Leaders, Administrators, and Instructional Coaches: Strategies for Teacher Retention & Support...
Description: VDOE's Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) webpage - With the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in the 2022 General Assembly, Virginia is taking the lead nationwide to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. Through the VLA, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will support school divisions through a multi-year effort with tools, resources, technical assistance and funding.
Description: Collaboration HLP Pillars: HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 1: Collaborate with Professionals to Increase Student Success, HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 3: Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services Embedded HLPs HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 2: Organize and Facilitate Effective Meetings with Professionals and Families Data-Driven Planning HLP Pillar: HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 6: Use Student Assessment Data, Analyze Instructional Practices, and Make Necessary Adjustments that...
Description: Adaptive Toys for Children with Disabilities and General Toy Safety Inclusive Gifts for Kids with Disabilities and Their Families What Are Switch-Adapted and Switch-Activated Toys and Games?
Description: The English Learners with Disabilities Toolkit (2024) is designed to provide states and IEP teams with tools they can use to better understand their students who are English learners with disabilities and to determine in which state assessment (general or alternate) they should participate and whether accessibility features or accommodations are needed for their participation in any assessment. This toolkit does not address the development of complete IEPs for English learners...
Description: This Microlearning Training provides small bites of learning on hot topics focused around foundational knowledge and easy-to-implement skills and strategies. Microlearning is always available and take just 10-15 minutes to review. You can view this whole microlearning series by clicking the links that discuss different topics.
Description: Creating an Autism-Friendly Holiday: Strategies for a Joyful Season - The holiday season can be overwhelming for many. Disrupted routines, travel, increased social gatherings and expectations, can contribute to stress and dysregulation. This article shares ideas on how to reduce stressors to contribute to a more joyful season for the entire family.
Description: Cognitive Functioning Guide with HLPs - This resource serves as a guide to better understand how a student’s disability affects their learning and behavior. This guide provides an overview of types of cognitive and psychological processing, their effect on academics and behavior, recommended strategies, modifications, and accommodations with linked High Leverage Practices (HLPs). Every student is different, so it’s important to thoroughly understand all evaluations and reports for...
Description: Basic Psychological Processing Checklist: Teacher Interview Questionnaire - The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals created a checklist for teachers to gather their perspectives on students’ cognitive and functional skills in the classroom.
Description: Decision Tree: How to Assist and Support Students through Interventions - When a parent, teacher, another person, or a school-based team thinks a student has a health condition, learning difficulty, or other challenges that are affecting the student’s ability to learn, the school should take a proactive approach to determine the type of support and/or services that will help meet the student’s needs. This could be a range of informal and/or formal services provided by one or more of...
Description: Recorded Webinar: From Data to Action: Supporting Students With Behavioral and Mental Health Challenges - Data-based decision making is a critical part of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), but what does problem solving look like in the context of youth behavior and mental health? In this webinar, Dr. Elizabeth Talbott, Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development at William and Mary School of Education; Dr. Allison Bruhn, Professor of Special Education and Executive...
Description: Video- Play in Early Childhood: The Role of Play in Any Setting - When children play, they can reduce sources of stress, strengthen core life skills, and build responsive relationships with caring adults—all of which are core principles of early childhood development. This video highlights the importance of play.
Description: Text and Online Acronyms Parents Need to Know - When it comes to texting, parents and children don’t speak the same language. Texting often includes acronyms. An acronym is an abbreviation, that consists of the initial letters of the other words and is pronounced as a single word. When you look at your child’s text messages or online chats, you likely won’t understand these acronyms. But they are popular on the internet and found mostly on social media platforms because they...
Description: Virginia's students, families, and educators have long deserved a system that prioritizes high expectations for every child and provides clarity on how each school is preparing students for success. Virginia’s new accountability system, the School Performance and Support Framework, builds trust among schools, parents, and communities through transparent, easy-to-understand reporting on a school’s performance. The Framework shows how students are mastering grade level content,...
Description: Recorded Videos: Dr. Brad Witzel – Rational Number Acquisition (8:48 minutes) Dr. Brad Witzel – Building Computational Fluency Webinar (61 minutes) Dr. Brad Witzel CRA with Explicit Instruction in Fractions (4:25 minutes)
Description: TTAC Online Flyer- Please share! TTAC Online User Guide Includes: Introduction to the Home Page, How to Register/Create an Account, How to Log in, When you are Logged in, What is My TTAC Online?, How to Search the Entire Site, How to Search Particular Topic, Refine Your Search, Search Tips, Events Calendar. The TTAC Online Site Map includes links to each section of the website. (It is also located at the bottom of each page of the website.)
Description: Evidence-Based Reading Instruction for Grades K-5 - This paper features an innovation configuration (IC) matrix that can guide teacher preparation professionals in the development of appropriate use of evidence-based reading instruction for grades K-5. Evidence-Based Reading Instruction for Grades 6-12 - This paper features an innovation configuration (IC) matrix that can guide teacher preparation professionals in the development of appropriate use of evidence-based reading instruction...
Description: The Virginia Department of Education has launched a new online tool, the VQB5 Portal, to help families learn about early childhood programs across the state. With information on over 3,000 publicly funded early childhood sites, the portal makes it easy to check the quality, curriculum, and safety of programs for children from birth to age five. Families can search by location and review important details to choose the best option for their children. This tool is designed to help families make...
Description: TTAC Online is designed for teachers, administrators, paraeducators, related service providers, and families looking for resources and information to support the education of children and youth with disabilities (birth to 22). The TTAC Online Flyer provides an overview of each section of the website: Resources, VA Assessments, Disability Info, Online Training, Events, VA Projects, Fast Facts and My TTAC Online. Please share!
Description: Growth mindset printables for STEM - A growth mindset is a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. People who have a growth mindset believe that with hard work, their skills can improve over time. Having a growth mindset is important for students. It helps them face challenges and learn from mistakes. It’s essential for students who learn and think differently to have opportunities to practice a growth mindset. And is the perfect place to practice this. This includes printable resources:...
Description: Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) includes; Adapting Content Adapting Methodoloy Adapting Delivery This site includes descriptions of these components and short videos on SDI.
Description: High Impact Co-teaching Approaches for Secondary Math.docx - Research provides guidance on when to use specific co-teaching approaches in the secondary mathematics classroom. High-impact co-teaching approaches lower the teacher to student ratio, providing time for intensive instruction and SDI with frequent teacher feedback. To select the most effective co-teaching approach, co-teachers examine a lesson’s learning goal, students’ IEP goals, learner characteristics, and data about...
Description: Cell Phone-Free Education Final Guidance & Resources - After listening to and reviewing the thousands of comments and suggestions from Virginians on how to bring cell phone-free education to our children’s schools, VDOE has published final guidance for school divisions on policies and procedures to be implemented to establish cell phone-free education and remove cell phones from Virginia’s public school classrooms. The final guidance defines cell phone-free education in...
Description: Conducting Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Meetings When Members Disagree - Parent participation and teamwork are fundamental to special education. Parent feedback is a necessity in ensuring that a student is receiving a free appropriate public education. However, team participants do not always agree and conflict is a natural occurrence in team dynamics. Recognizing that conflict will happen, but that a healthy relationship between all members is in the best interest of the student,...
Description: Back to Basics: Special Education Law Series was developed from a partnership between the Virginia Department of Education and the Center for Implementation and Evaluation of Education Systems (CIEES) at Old Dominion University (ODU). The Back to Basics: Special Education Law series is designed to support Virginia school divisions in the professional development of teachers and division personnel on basic special education laws and regulations. The following modules and associated documents...
Description: Camp List for Children & Adults with Disabilities 5.2024.docx, 2024 Summer Camps (Northern Virginia, Region 4) Websites to Search for Camps: American Camp Association’s Camp Finder - Lists camps accredited by ACA. The advanced search function allows you to search by disability, distance from home, inclusive camps, and other variables. VerySpecialCamps - Summer Camps & Programs for Individuals with Special Needs MySummerCamps (general finder) - Find the Perfect Summer Camp for...
Description: Submit a Request for Support - VCU-RRTC-ACE provides targeted short-term coaching to educators who support students on the autism spectrum! Classroom coaching aims to equip educators with the tools and evidence-based practices necessary to effectively address the unique needs of autistic students. By implementing strategies in the coaching focus areas, educators can enhance student participation, engagement, and independence, creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. ACE...
Description: Basic FBA to BIP - The Behavior Specialist Training includes all 7 modules and is for those who will be the leading behavior support efforts in the school. The School-wide Training consists of two modules for all staff in the school.
Description: In this Webinar: Functional Behavior Assessment: Principles for Success, you will learn: What an FBA is and why is it needed Basic principles of behavior and how they relate to the four functions of behavior The steps in the FBA process—utilizing indirect and direct assessment measures to analyze antecedents and consequences to determine function How to apply data gathered in the FBA process to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Description: This Using FBA for Diagnostic Assessment in Behavior (DBI Professional Learning Series Module 6) serves as an introduction to important concepts and processes for implementing functional behavior assessment (FBA), including behavior basics such as reinforcement and punishment. Throughout this module, participants will discuss both real world and school based examples to become familiar with the FBA process and develop a deeper understanding and awareness of the functions of the...
Description: Functional Behavior Assessment - Behavior Intervention Plan (FBA-BIP) - Training sessions will focus specifically on the process and tools needed to assist coaches, facilitators and problem-solving teams in planning, implementing, and evaluating FBA-BIP to support students with challenging behavior. Participants will be able to: Identify when an FBA-BIP is necessary Identify the essential systems needed for an effective FBA-BIP process Identify the steps for conducting an effective FBA,...
Description: Webcast: Function Matters! How to Determine Why a Student Demonstrates Problem Behavior - Problem behavior such as aggression, yelling and noncompliance is common with individuals with a spectrum disorder. To provide appropriate intervention and support, it is critical to understand why a behavior occurs and what may trigger it or cause it to happen. In this webcast, Dr. Schall will describe how to complete a Functional Behavior Assessment, a problem solving approach that assist teams in...
Description: Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) Toolkit - PEATC has developed another Toolkit to help parents navigate complex special education processes. An MDR is a process used when a student with an IEP has violated the Student Code of Conduct at their school and a change in placement is being considered. The MDR review determines whether the student’s behavior is a manifestation of their disability. If it is, then certain protections under IDEA apply for that student. Our toolkit provides...
Description: Message from Virginia Education Update (2024-36) - In order to provide assistance to ensure that the appropriate students are assessed using this alternate assessment, school and division administrators are encouraged to review the School Leaders Series on including Students with Disabilities in Assessments. Information in this series can be tailored to meet school division needs and continue to support IEP Teams in their decision-making process regarding assessments and preceding academic...
Description: Self-Paced Modules - Behavior Progress Monitoring: Selecting Target Behaviors, Aligning Tools, and Creating a Plan is intended to help educators learn about behavior progress monitoring. By completing this course, you will be able to: Summarize the process for identifying target behaviors. Describe two behavior progress monitoring approaches that can be used across behaviors. Align a progress monitoring tool with a target behavior. Summarize the key features of a behavior progress monitoring...
Description: The VDOE T/TAC at VA Tech will be adding new Spotify podcasts for 2024-2025. Their podcasts from 2023-2024 are also available.
Description: What should educators keep in mind when engaging with families of students with intensive needs? - In this video, Lindsay Jones the CEO of the National Center on Learning Disabilities, shares some considerations and strategies that educators can use to support partnering with families of students with intensive needs. Lindsay E. Jones is the President and CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), a national nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the lives of the 1 in 5...
Description: Strategies for Equitable Family Engagement - This resource provides an overview of evidence-based strategies that schools and districts may use to promote equitable family engagement practices. Organized around five categories of equitable family engagement strategies, this resource includes summaries of the research on equitable family engagement as well as examples of school and district practices across the country, linking to publicly available information where possible. School and district...
Description: Working with Families - The importance of collaborating with families to promote participation in educational decision-making has been identified as one of the key principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). IDEA provides for specific rights that enable parents to participate as equal members of the IEP team and to be involved in evaluation, placement, and special education and related service decisions. Family–professional partnerships have been defined as a relationship...
Description: Back to School 2024 - As we welcome students back to school, we can all benefit from a brief refresher on the basic practices that will set our students (and ourselves) up for social, emotional, behavioral, and academic success. This article provides the "Top Ten" Tips and Resources.
Description: CEC's Learning Library has always been a one-stop shop for live and on-demand webinars, collections and virtual events, but now, it’s even easier to find the content you are looking for. Explore the Learning Library to access content on hot topics, practical strategies for your work, or just quick refreshers that can enrich your practice and contribute to better outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities. On-Demand Webinars Virtual Events Live Webinars PD Collections...
Description: This Wandering Resource Guide includes critical resources to increase safety at home and in the community. The Autism Society hopes that the resources can help you, your family, and other trusted caregivers have open discussions about safety and find solutions that meet your family’s needs.
Description: High-Leverage Practices Interactive Alignment Tool - Developed by the Council for Exceptional Children and the CEEDAR Center, high-leverage practices are 22 essential special education techniques that all teachers of students with disabilities should master for use across a variety of classroom contexts. Six of these practices are referred to as pillar practices—those most essential for educators to implement; and the remaining sixteen are embedded practices—those required to...
Description: 25 Hands-on Ideas for Teaching Syllabification of Words - Rebecca from the blog Adventures in Speech demonstrates 25 different activities to make teaching and learning syllabication fun and easy!
Description: On Eating Elephants and Teaching Syllabication - Shanahan on Literacy presents this informative blog on syllabication. Shanahan states that “syllables matter in English. The consistency of spelling patterns and their relationship to phonemes and pronunciations is determined, in part, by where particular letters appear in syllables rather than where they appear in words (Venezky, 1967). The syllable is an essential unit in phonological processing (Ecalle & Magnan, 2007) and...
Description: The Big Five: Phonics-Teaching Syllabication - Many children have difficulty reading multisyllabic words. Some can decode fairly well at a one-syllable level but do not know how to read words accurately and fluently when reading longer words. Most decoding instruction stops by second grade; children are not being directly taught how to read multisyllabic words when they begin to become frequently used in text.
Description: 6 Techniques for Building Reading Skills—in Any Subject - Without a repertoire of reading strategies that can be applied to any text, students are being shortchanged in their education. In order to teach students to read effectively, teachers must be sure that they are not simply suppliers of information on a particular text but also instructors of techniques to build reading skills.
Description: Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Reading - The following is the proposed core curriculum for teacher candidates presented in Teaching Reading is Rocket Science: What Expert Teachers of Reading Should Know and Be Able to Do, published by the American Federation of Teachers. This curriculum can also serve as a roadmap for practicing teachers’ professional development experiences. The curriculum is divided into four parts. The psychology of reading and reading development Knowledge of...