The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) recently announced its new website for the Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials in Post-secondary Education for Students with Disabilities. The website showcases the work of the Commission, which studies the current accessible materials available for students with disabilities and makes recommendations to the U.S. Congress for improving access to these resources. More

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services - November 19, 2010

On Nov. 29, 1975, the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteed access to a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) has just published a new report, Thirty-five Years of Progress in Educating Children with Disabilities Through IDEA, which reflects on how far we've come, envisions the future of IDEA and celebrates the millions of people who have enjoyed access to the services and education as a result of this law. It is available online at:  http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/idea-35-history.pdf 

The application deadline is around the corner! All materials must be postmarked by December 31st, 2010.

The Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship is a unique opportunity offered only to seniors in high school who have an identified learning disability. Qualified applicants may be eligible for one of two $10,000 awards.  For more detailed information and to download an application, please visit the Anne Ford and Allegra Ford scholarship page.  Applicants should download all materials and send them in one package to the office in New York (as noted on the application checklist).
 

To find other financial aid and scholarship opportunities, please visit this Financial Aid and Resources section.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded grants to two consortia of states to develop a new generation of alternate assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

The new assessments will be designed for a wide range of students with significant cognitive disabilities and will be aligned to the common set of college- and career-ready standards that were recently developed by governors and chief state school officers and have been adopted by 35 states and the District of Columbia. The tests will assess knowledge of mathematics and English language arts in grades 3-8, and one grade in high school. Grants have been awarded to:

 The National Center and State Collaborative Partnership (a consortium of 18 states, the District of Columbia, and several territories led by the University of Minnesota). Awarded $45 million. And,The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment System Consortium (a consortium of 11 states led by the University of Kansas). Awarded $22 million. Continued HERE

Have you thought about applying for one of the Magnet Programs for your child?  With more than 340 programs in more than 90 schools, this is a great opportunity for you to apply for a magnet program and know your child's needs will be met, regardless of the Magnet program you chose.

Subjects include themes of study in Careers and Professions; International Education; Liberal Arts; Mathematics, Science & Technology; and Visual & Performing Arts.  Selection for all programs, except Visual & Performing Arts, is through the random Magnet selection process. For students applying for one of the Visual & Performing Arts programs, special accommodations are available to assist with the audition/portfolio process. To access special accommodations, indicate on your application where requested, or contact the School Choice office at 305-995-1922 to arrange assistance for your child. 

What's the best part? IT'S FREE and you can enter your application online through the parent portal 24 hours/ 7 days a week. Or you may download a paper application at www.miamimagnets.org and mail it to the School Choice office. Eligible students with special needs are accommodated at all Magnet schools, so take the opportunity to apply now.

The application period runs until January 15^th, 2011. This application is open to all grade levels for the 2011-2012 school year. For further information, please visit www.miamimagnets.org online. You may also contact the School Choice office at 305-995-1922 for further information.

Thank you and remember, the School Choice & Parental Options office is dedicated to Giving our Students a World of Choices.