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Showing Results 201 - 250 of 1129
Description: This data collection tool is in the form of a checklist and helps a team determine if a device is being used for a variety of communicative functions.
Description: This data collection tool helps teams collect information on whether a response is independent or if the user needed a prompt or a model to elicit the response.
Description: Check with your local T/TAC to determine if these resources are available for check out.
Description: This Wheel of Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs (AAC) has been given a refresh and update. This 'wheel' of Apps provides a categorised guide to iPad Apps for individuals with complex communication support needs, who may need to use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). We appreciate that identifying AAC Apps from the many available can be a difficult and challenging task, so we hope that in creating and sharing this resource, it will help you with that process. (10/2023)
Description: AAC Evaluation Genie assists teams in identifying skill areas that relate specifically to the language representation methods commonly found on augmentative communication systems.  It helps to build a framework for selecting an appropriate augmentative communication device for ongoing evaluation and/or device trial.
Description: This Youth Engagement Rubric to identify the ways your students are engaged, address the challenges associated with getting students involved, and the positive outcome of their involvement.
Description: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is announcing a Fall 2022 cohort of the Journey into Teaching Academy. This is a yearlong professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching at the end of the 2021-2022 school year (SY) and entering their third year of teaching during the 2022-2023 SY as a provisionally licensed special education teacher. The Journey into Teaching Academy has been designed as a program to provide teacher support beyond mentorship...
Description: Main Report: This 163-page report fills a profound gap in our knowledge of school-age students who are deaf-blind and have significant cognitive disabilities. Brief #1 provides details about this group of students, recommendations for identification, and implications for instruction.
Description: The Data Meeting Toolkit is a suite of tools that groups can use to guide conversation around data and support databased decisionmaking. The toolkit provides resources to support success before, during, and after data meetings, including A description of essential data meeting roles and responsibilities, including key stakeholders A protocol of steps before, during, and after meetings to guide selection, analysis, and decisionmaking using data Examples of how to use the toolkit to address a...
Description: The purpose of this policy statement is to highlight the important role of principals in implementing inclusive and effective special education services and to offer policy recommendations to support additional training and ongoing professional learning for school leaders.
Description: These educational resources were created by and for educators and instructional leaders. They include: eBook: How to Create a Coaching Program That Works eBook: Feedback Strategies for Coaches & Administrators eBook: Using Video to Achive High Performance And More!
Description: What you'll learn from this article: How are ADHD and substance abuse in teenagers connected? Why do teenagers with ADHD use drugs? Are ADHD medications connected to substance abuse? How can parents help teenagers with ADHD avoid substance abuse?
Description: Arts integration can inspire children with a lifelong love of learning and of the performing arts. When you bring the arts into the classroom, you create joyful, active learning experiences that engage children in ways that can increase academic and social-emotional development for all kinds of learners. Wolf Trap Institute’s professional development empowers infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten teachers to integrate the performing arts into their classrooms. For more than 35...
Description: This webinar, featuring Drs. Donna Sacco, John Hoover, and Tracy Spies, illustrates considerations for implementing data-based individualization (DBI) with ELs that accounts for their unique academic, social, behavioral, linguistic, and cultural experiences, assets, and needs. They share why it is important to (a) deliver instruction that represents culturally and linguistically sustaining best practices, and (b) distinguish the needs and assets of learners to improve progress (i.e.,...
Description: People with Autism and other developmental disabilities and their families are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing public health and economic emergency caused by COVID-19. The Autism Society of America believes that increasing vaccine confidence is a crucial step towards improving the lives of people with Autism, their families and communities as we all work towards ending the pandemic. Through its Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI), the Autism Society is committed to increasing vaccine...
Description: This guide outlines a four-step program evaluation process that provides a framework for coordinating SEL programs that are feasible, appropriate, and effective.
Description: This research report summarizes recent surveys conducted from over 15,000 respondents on student and staff SEL competencies, awareness and confidence, impact of SEL instruction, and SEL support and training.
Description: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awarenes VDOE Suicide Prevention - Schools can play a key role in suicide...
Description: This self-guided webinar series provides professional development intended to help teams new to creating positive behavior support plans to address challenging behaviors. Each webinar focus area addresses different aspects of the behavior change process. Complete the questionnaire at the end of each section to receive a Certificate of Completion.
Description: Many decisions that impact students are made by local school boards. As has been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these decisions and their resulting consequences significantly impact students with disabilities. The toolkit provides tips and resources to help advocate to the local school board, including learning about issues, identifying decision makers, knowing the process, and messaging.
Description: The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. What Should You Report? You can help save lives by reporting observed threats, behaviors, actions, and harassment. Here are examples of some of the most common behaviors and incidents to report: Acts of violence, with or without weapons Verbal or physical abuse, assault or harassment Sexual abuse, assault or harassment Threats seen on social media...
Description: Learning Paths are small collections of curated activities that focus on an early intervention topic. To learn about the topic, you will complete each activity on the path. Activities might include reading an article, taking an online module, watching a video, etc. Once you complete the learning path, you will take a final quiz to earn a certificate documenting the professional development hours earned. Autism Pathways Functional Assessment Pathways Transition from Early Intervention Pathways...
Description: This booklet defines Special Education Terms (Birth to 22) as well as General Disabilty Terms.
Description: Digital Portfolio for Families - PEATC’s Digital Portfolio allows parents and guardians of individuals with disabilities the ability to organize personal, educational, medical, and legal information and documentation in a portable digital format. The portfolio provides users with easy access, reduced stress, no more binders, and less paperwork to store. Digital Portfolio for Military Families - PEATC’s Digital Portfolio for Military Families allows service members the ability to keep...
Description: View OCR Video Series on Accessibility - The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announces a video series covering a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable Federal regulations, and identifying and remediating barriers to access.  Whether you are in the educational field or not, these videos have wide ranging coverage for those who want to know: What makes technology accessible for...
Description: In this recorded webinar, Carla Mazefsky, Ph.D., discusses emotion dysregulation, or difficulty managing the intensity and duration of emotional reactions, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This talk covers the landscape of emotion regulation research in ASD and highlights key findings from the Regulation of Emotion in ASD Adults, Children, and Teens (REAACT) Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Topics to be covered include the assessment of emotion dysregulation in ASD, the impact of...
Description: The Early Childhood Virtual Town Hall held on April 19, featured State Superintendent Jillian Balow, Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, Deputy Secretary of Education McKenzie Snow, and was moderated by Deputy Superintendent Jenna Conway.
Description: Virginia Commonwealth University received a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to fund the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities. The RRTC will conduct six studies to generate evidence-based interventions to assist youth to enter competitive integrated employment. The training materials and events focus on meeting the needs of stakeholders including...
Description: AOTA partnered with CEC to provide two webinars to help those in the special education field deepen their understanding of self-regulation and best practices for collaboration between teacher and occupational therapy practitioner. Who is this program for? Special education teachers Occupational therapists Special education administrators Building/district administrators General education teachers Pricing Free for everyone  You will need to create a free CEC account to access these webinars....
Description: Free SEL Tool for Educators: Improve Your Optimistic Thinking - Optimistic thinking impacts many areas of our lives, including work performance, productivity, motivation, sense of purpose, stress levels, and more. Now, more than ever, educators need to tap into their optimistic thinking and goal-setting skills to increase their resiliency, well-being, and positive outlooks. Check out their Free Optimistic Thinking Guide to get research-based, practical resources to enhance your social-emotional...
Description: Radford University (RU) and the University of Lynchburg (UL) offer tuition support for teachers who are fulfilling requirements for their provisional Birth-5, Children with Disabilities license. This opportunity is funded through the Virginia Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education Consortium grant. Tuition support is available for students who are non-degree seeking (just taking courses to fulfil their license) or degree seeking (pursuing a Master’s degree). Support...
Description: This practice guide provides four evidence-based recommendations that teachers can use to deliver reading intervention to meet the needs of their students.                 
Description: A revision of Addressing the Revolving Door: How to Retain Your Special Education Teachers, this module highlights the key elements for school administrators who seek to support special educators and increase teacher retention (est. completion time: 1 hour).
Description: Teacher retention is a serious concern for many districts and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional pressure on districts to ensure the right mental health support and professional development is in place. In fact, 33% of teachers are somewhat or very likely to leave the profession within the next 12 months, compared to only 8% prior to the pandemic. This report outlines the key factors leading to attrition in today’s environment and research-based strategies schools can implement to...
Description: Principles of Effective Time Management for Balance, Well-being and Success - The principles provided are derived from research on time management, motivation theory and much experience working with university students. Think of time management techniques as tools to help you do what you value the most. Make these tools into an expression of your values—what’s most important to you—not just a schedule to get more stuff done. Try to keep these principles in mind as you schedule...
Description: Breaking Down the Issue Burnout and demoralization are meaningfully different forms of work dissatisfaction that each affect teachers’ ability to do their jobs and influence decisions to remain in the profession. System and school conditions contribute to or buffer against demoralization and burnout in ways that directly affect the lives of both teachers and students. Evidence is growing that the pandemic has increased demoralization and burnout among many teachers. This article also...
Description: Support Staff Social-Emotional Well-Being - The majority of teachers experience ongoing mental and emotional stress as part of such a demanding job. But teachers who work with students exposed to trauma are at greater risk of compassion fatigue and burnout as a result of hearing about students’ experiences and dealing with the negative effects. Destigmatizing mental health needs and emotional exhaustion and creating formal structures to support teacher well-being are critical to the...
Description: Podcast: Putting Self-Care into Action to Prevent Burnout in the Helping Professions - Burnout is a topic that hits close to home for me as an SLP of 15 years. In some ways, I think I started to feel that burn even before I got my CCC’s. Why are we and others in the “helping professions” so much more likely to experience burnout than others braving the workforce? This week, burnout expert, Dr. Julie Slowiak, shares her own personal experience with overwhelm and under-joy in the...
Description: Developing a self-care plan - A self-care plan can help you enhance your health and wellbeing, manage your stress, and maintain professionalism as a worker with young people. Learn to identify activities and practices that support your wellbeing as a professional and help you to sustain positive self-care in the long-term. This will help you to: understand self-care develop your self-care plan put your self-care plan into action.
Description: Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others. (14:16 minutes)
Description: Child Mind Institute has compiled information on borderline personality disorder, as well as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia — all disorders of adolescence and early adulthood. What are the symptoms, and how does each develop? Most important, it’s critical to know about the best treatment, which for each of these disorders has become much more effective in recent years.
Description: The following books provide strategies for expressive writing that can help to improve health, deal with trauma and increase well-being.
Description: Autism Speaks virtual series designed for autistic people, families, care providers and anyone seeking information on how to best navigate a new diagnosis. In these recorded videos, participants can hear from parents, topic experts, self-advocates and others sharing their personal experiences and expertise.
Description: This Rubric - HLP #4 is a tool that can be used during teacher observations to provide meaningful feedback to teachers about areas of strength and growth as they implement specific HLPs (High Leverage Practices).  Instructional coaches, administrators, and collaborative learning teams can use the rubrics for ongoing professional development and teacher support.  Each HLP rubric identifies essential components of each HLP and the teacher behaviors that facilitate HLP implementation....
Description: The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), with the collaboration and support of Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center and Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) (for Sections II and III), developed this voluntary self-assessment tool to help local education agencies (LEAs) strengthen their child find system. The goal is to ensure that children eligible for special education and related services are referred and enrolled. This toolkit can also be used by state...
Description: A matrix based on a teacher’s belief in themselves and their belief in students can facilitate effective instructional coaching.  
Description: The professional growth and development of teachers are critical within a teacher evaluation system. According to the Virginia Department of Education (2021), “while teacher evaluation should provide a fair and accurate summative measure of teacher effectiveness, first and foremost, it should be a tool to improve teaching” (p. 3).   The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CEEDAR Center identified 22 High Leverage Practices (HLPs), which are inclusive research-based...
Description: This Rubric - HLP #1 is a tool that can be used during teacher observations to provide meaningful feedback to teachers about areas of strength and growth as they implement specific HLPs (High Leverage Practices).  Instructional coaches, administrators, and collaborative learning teams can use the rubrics for ongoing professional development and teacher support.  Each HLP rubric identifies essential components of each HLP and the teacher behaviors that facilitate HLP implementation....
Description: This Rubric - HLP #7 is a tool that can be used during teacher observations to provide meaningful feedback to teachers about areas of strength and growth as they implement specific HLPs (High Leverage Practices).  Instructional coaches, administrators, and collaborative learning teams can use the rubrics for ongoing professional development and teacher support.  Each HLP rubric identifies essential components of each HLP and the teacher behaviors that facilitate HLP implementation....
Description: This Rubric - HLPs #8 & #22 is a tool that can be used during teacher observations to provide meaningful feedback to teachers about areas of strength and growth as they implement specific HLPs (High Leverage Practices).  Instructional coaches, administrators, and collaborative learning teams can use the rubrics for ongoing professional development and teacher support.  Each HLP rubric identifies essential components of each HLP and the teacher behaviors that facilitate HLP...