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Description: New Video: Introducing the Office of Special Education Program's Assistive Technology Guidance and the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (2:46 mins.) IDEA: Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA (Jan. 22, 2024) - The Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs are pleased to share the guidance in support of children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services for meaningful...
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 Assistive Technology Network has a newly updated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) section of their website. What is AAC? When to consider? Assessment Information Gathering Current Communication Skills Access Direct Selection Indirect Selection Decision Making Trials Develop a Plan Prompting Data Collection Tool Selection and Funding Implementation Planning and Support Training Device Set-up Customization Vocabulary Selection And more!
Description: Based on the work of the CEEDAR Center and Council for Exceptional Children, the GMU TTAC Team has created High Leverage Practice Crosswalks in the areas of Math, Literacy and Transition to support stakeholders in developing personalized professional learning and targeted support, with the goal of bridging research into “practical” classroom practice to improve performance outcomes. The HLP Crosswalks are dynamic documents that will be periodically updated with the most current...
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: Rubric - HLP 1 Collaborate with Professionals to Increase Student Success, Rubric - HLP 3 Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services Embedded HLPs Rubric - HLP 2 Lead Effective Meetings with Professionals & Families DATA-Driven Planning HLP Pillar: Rubric - HLP 6 Use Assessment Data, Analyze Instructional Practices and Make Necessary, Adjustments that Improve Student Outcomes Embedded HLPs: Rubric - HLP 4: Use Multiple Sources...
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: The Virginia Assistive Technology, Tools, and Strategies (VATTS) Resources will guide the IEP team through the consideration and documentation process. These resources replace the previous versions of the AT Consideration and Resource Guide. VATTS: Consideration and Assessment Guidance Document (PDF) - Guidance for school divisions in the consideration and assessment of AT, including planning and implementing those services for students with disabilities. VATTS: Consideration...
Description: Assistive Technology and Your Child’s IEP Check out the PEATC Assistive Technology and Your Child's IEP Factsheet - this factsheet helps families learn what AT is, when it should be discussed, and what schools are required to provide. From pencil grips to communication devices and apps, AT can make a big difference in your child’s success. Read more in our factsheet so you can discuss it at your next IEP meeting!
Description: The CTI at VCU and TTAC at GMU collaborated to develop a Transition Taxonomy 2.0 + High Leverage Practice (HLP) resource that shares professional learning opportunities, evidence-based resources, and teacher and family ready materials in one place! Based on NTACT-C (2016) Transition Taxonomy’s five areas of student focused planning, student development, interagency collaboration, family collaboration, and program development, transition professionals and teachers can easily locate relevant...
Description: Ever wonder what those test scores really mean? Understanding the bell curve can help you better interpret your child’s evaluations and know how they compare to peers—without letting a number define their potential. Knowing where your child falls on the curve can help you advocate for the right support and track meaningful progress. Check out the PEATC Bell Curve Fact Sheet to learn how to use this tool to inform goals and support your child’s unique...
Description: Check out Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers Podcast - A bi-weekly audio podcast that provides encouragement and inspiration for teachers. Ranks in the top three K-12 podcasts in the world. -The Cornerstone for Teachers
Description: Check out the NASP's The Care of the Caregiver: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams - Parents, teachers, and other caregivers play a critical role in helping children cope with crises. Following a crisis, teachers are often required to provide additional support to the students in their classes. While teachers provide daily care and support for their students, after a tragedy these demands may go well beyond their training or expertise. In addition, crisis responders and mental...
Description: Check out The Educator's Room Presents: The Teacher Self-Care Podcast on Anchor by Spotify- The real conversation teachers need to her about teacher self-care. Join us as Franchesca interviews teachers from around the globe to discuss teacher mental health and how we can change schools and policies.
Description: Check out the National Wellness Alliance Resources - Throughout time and across cultures, the term “wellness” has been defined and applied in many ways. The Wellness Alliance encapsulates these interpretations by acknowledging that: Wellness is a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving one’s full potential. Wellness encompasses lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment. Wellness is positive, affirming, and contributes to living a long...
Description: Check out - 4 Teachers Share How to Recharge at the End of Year for these ideas from fellow teachers to maximize your relaxation time.
Description: Check out Resources for Educator Wellness - Educator and teacher self-care can be challenging, but embracing a holistic health and wellness plan can improve your physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being both inside and outside of school. This reflective journal provides the ideas and guidance you need to support you on your wellness journey. Free Reproducible Resources: A Solutions Framework Reflection and Goal Setting Protocol Self-Evaluation Rubric
Description: Coachng as Professional Learning: Guidelines for Implementing Effective Coaching Systems is a synthesis of research on coaching in educational settings. The contents include information and resources that support methods for implementing and sustaining effective coaching systems and practices in a variety of educational contexts, as well as Guiding Questions for Building and Strengthening Effective Coaching Systems.
Description: The Effective Coaching of Teachers: Fiedelity Worksheet and Rubric can be used to collect and score information about the fidelity of coaching so that this information can be used by coaches and other educators to continuously improve upon how coaching occurs. Fidelity in coaching should rely continuously upon the effective practices of observation, modeling, delivery of performance feedback, and use of alliance-building strategies. Furthermore, coaching should occur with sufficient...
Description: The purpose of this document, Coaching within Tiered Support Models is to provide content-specific examples of how to structure educator-level and/or systems-level coaching as a mechanism to ensure ongoing professional learning to support tiered intervention. This document provides examples of coaching supports, models, and functions within the context of tiered intervention (e.g., RtI, PBIS, MTSS) and data-based decision making (e.g., data-based individualization [DBI]) for educators who...
Description: The purpose of this brief, Muli-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) in the classroom is to help educators familiar with PBIS organize classroom supports for preventing, teaching, and responding to students’ social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) needs across the continuum.
Description: This Practice Guide, Enhancing Team Functioning in Schools' Multi-Tiered Systems of Support can be used by multidisciplinary teams within a multi-tiered system of support as a resource for overcoming challenges and setting up teams for success. The five effective teaming elements are described, as well as how to structure teams to enhance functioning and outcomes within schools.
Description: The PBIS Implementation Blueprint provides guidance for implementers interested in (a) exploring and getting ready to implement PBIS, (b) getting started with PBIS, and/or (c) getting better at enhancing, sustaining, and/or scaling (expanding) their efforts in educational settings.
Description: The purpose of the Intensive Intervention Meeting Checklist is for intensive intervention teams or instructional coaches can use these checklists to monitor implementation of the intensive intervention meetings (before, during, and after meetings).
Description: Data-Based Decision Making is the use of screening, progress monitoring, and other forms of data to make decisions about instruction, movement within the multi-level prevention system, intensification of instruction and supports, allocation of resources, and identification of students with disabilities (in accordance with state law). Data-based decision making occurs at all levels of MTSS implementation, from individual students to the district level. Teams use implementation data to...
Description: School Infrastructure and Support Mechanisms include the knowledge, resources, and organizational structures necessary to operationalize and implement all of the components of MTSS in a unified system to meet the identified implementation and outcome. This resource summarizes the infrastructure and support mechanisms outlined in Section 5 of the MTSS Fidelity of Implementation Rubric as necessary for successful MTSS implementation.
Description: This guide provides information and steps for school teams as they implement MTSS. It includes a definition of MTSS, reviews the essential MTSS components, and outlines steps to support implementation of MTSS within school sites.
Description: The MTSS Fidelity of Implementation Rubric and Summary Sheet are for use by individuals responsible for monitoring the school-level fidelity of MTSS implementation. They may also be used by schools for self-appraisal evaluation; however, they were not designed for compliance monitoring and therefore should not be used for this purpose. The rubric and the summary sheet are designed to be used together and are aligned with the essential components of MTSS.
Description: This resource provides information and guidance for districts. It includes a definition of MTSS, summarizes the essential MTSS components, and outlines the critical infrastructure necessary to support MTSS implementation.
Description: The MTSS framework is comprised of four essential components: screening, progress monitoring, multi-level prevention system, and data-based decision making. This collection of infographics provide an overview of key features of each of the essential components of MTSS. What is Screening? Infographic What is Progress Monitoring? Infographic What is Data-based Decision Making? Infographic What is a Multi-Level Prevention System? Infographic Essential Features of Tier 1 Infographic 10 Essential...
Description: Check out PEATC's Glossary of Special Education Acronyms and Terms.
Description: Employment is an important part of our identities. Individuals with disabilities, even the most significant disabilities, can work if they receive the appropriate supports. Sometimes, parents are fearful that if their child works, they will lose their Social Security or Medicaid Benefits. Work incentives can help your child earn a paycheck and keep their benefits. Check out PEATC's new resource: Work and Benefits – How Your Child Can Work and Keep Benefits to learn more...
Description: Looking for information about inclusion of children with disabilities in our schools and communities? CPIR is very pleased to offer you the School Inclusion resource page, which will connect you with the great work and materials of the disability network nationwide and internationally.
Description: Participate in the Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: Supports in the General Education Classroom online module. This module, developed in collaboration with the TIES Center, describes the benefits of including students with significant cognitive disabilities in general education classrooms. It also offers information on how teachers can plan for and teach these students (est. completion time: 2 hours). Earn the Professional Development Certificate for this...
Description: Inclusion Basics - Philosophy and practice of inclusive education presented by Stetson & Associates is an interactive module, where participants will learn about the principles of inclusive education, including how to create welcoming and inclusive environments for students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Participants will also explore strategies to build a common vocabulary and evaluate the “myths” surrounding inclusive education. Our tutorial combines engaging...
Description: The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released the following Guidance Documents: The Federal Inclusive Practices Guide discusses how the requirements of the IDEA and ESEA align with inclusive educational practices. The 2024 Guide for Inclusion and Belonging outlines guidance on belonging with Belonging Checklists and Planning. The 2024 Guide for Inclusion and Belonging Communities outlines tips for creating a welcoming place and guides for communities....
Description: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) sponsored a 3-Part Turn-Around Training Series on Specially Designed Instruction by Anne M. Beninghof, Education Consultant & Trainer. In this series, Virginia educators learn to adapt the content, methodology, and/or delivery of the instruction to address the individual student’s disability-related needs. This series was designed to provide information, strategies and materials to enable professionals to provide their own training...
Description: This is an opportunity for families to visit PEATC staff in-person! PEATC is working on bringing office hours to each and every region. For current hours and locations visit the Regional Community Office Hours page. Current Regional Community Office Hours include: Abingdon (Washington County) Damascus (Washington County) Dinwiddie Hopewell Norfolk Prince George Roanoke Tappahannock (Essex County) If your city is not listed, subscribe to our newsletter here to be...
Description: Every child grows and learns at their own pace, but developmental milestones provide a helpful guide to what most children (75%) can do by a certain age. As a parent or caregiver, you know your child best! If you have concerns about their development, talking to your child’s doctor about a developmental screening is a great first step.PEATC has created two valuable resource documents to help families understand and track early childhood development: Your Child's Development Milestones:...
Description: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (DEA) provides for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for eligible students with disabilities. Special education and related services are provided under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is based on each student’s unique needs. Some students with disabilities may require services beyond the normal school year, during the summer or other school breaks in order to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). These...
Description: What is Consent? Consent means that you agree to something.You say YES.We consent to all kinds of things every day like scheduling appointments or whether to buy the new car that the salesman is showing us. But consent isn’t just saying YES.We need our consent to be “informed.” Informed consent means that when you say YES, you understand exactly what you are agreeing to and what the results may be. Informed consent is especially important in sexual matters.Your child needs...
Description: PEATC is Virginia’s federally mandated Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). PEATC has staff in your region of the state, ready to provide free and confidential assistance to Virginia’s families of students receiving special education services. Read the Special Education Family Support Centers one-pager to learn more. Additional languages: Amharic Arabic Spanish Urdu Vietnamese
Description: Apps Developed by ATware Solutions, LLC - This app development team is in the process of launching several new apps for people with disabilities, service providers and professionals working in the field of special education.
Description: During the ORTIi 2024 Virtual Literacy Symposium, Yvette Mann explored how to facilitate differentiated small-group instruction in a Tier I setting. She covers how to form skill-based groups using data from universal screeners and diagnostic assessments to group students with similar areas of growth and/or reinforcement to meet their learning needs. She also discusses strategies for engaging students in targeted instruction and tips for managing student activities while working collaboratively...
Description: During the ORTIi 2024 Virtual Literacy Symposium, Dale Webster introduces and provides the rationale for each step of CORE’s explicit phonics lesson sequence. The importance of this explicit phonics lesson sequence to multilingual learners’ successful reading acquisition will be the focus of this presentation. Multilingual learners learning to read in English may need additional language support during phonics instruction to understand the words that they are learning to decode....
Description: Many students learn to read one-syllable words with relatively little difficulty, but they find it much harder to read polysyllabic words (with more than one syllable). During the ORTIi 2024 Virtual Literacy Symposium, David Kearns discusses how to support students with reading “long words”. This presentation includes (a) an explanation why polysyllabic word reading is difficult based on reading science and (b) easy-to-implement research-based strategies to help students read those...
Description: During the ORTIi 2024 Virtual Literacy Symposium, Pam Kastner highlights the importance of spelling to literacy development and how student spelling can be analyzed to inform core instruction and differentiated small group skills intervention. The language lenses of phonology, orthography, and morphology will be used to analyze student spelling inventory results.
Description: The I'm Determined Project provides 12 Self-Determination Checklists on various topics for educators and families. The checklists include: Self-Determination Educator Checklist Self-Determination Elementary Educator Checklist Self-Determination Elementary Parent Checklist Self-Determination Elementary Student Checklist Self-Determination Parent Checklist Self-Determination Student Checklist Self-Determination Elementary Parent Checklist - Spanish Exit Survey Parent Exit Survey Student Exit...
Description: Family engagement is crucial during the transition process. Research shows that when families are meaningfully and continuously engaged in their children’s learning and development, they can positively impact their child’s health, development, academic, and well-being outcomes into adulthood. Use these family engagement resources and training opportunities to begin engaging meaningfully with the families of students and youth with disabilities.