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T/TAC W&M will be relocating to the new School of Education
in May.


Please return library books by May 15,
so we can prepare
for the move
.

Upcoming
Events


Say YES to College
June 3-5, 2010
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Annual Content
Teaching Academy
June 28-July 2, 2010
___________________
Summer Institutes:

IEP Development with an Eye on Inclusion
August 10, 2010

Differentiating by Design: Using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework to Build Flexible Instruction
and Assessment
August 11, 2010

Inclusive Practices:
Effective Co-teaching and Co-planning
August 12, 2010

___________________
SAVE THE DATE!
W&M 21st Annual Symposium on Professional Collaboration
and Inclusive Education
November 11 & 12

More details

VDOE Updates
 
A Parent's Guide to Special Education
This publication has been revised and is provided by the Virginia Department
of Education.


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May/June 2010

Building Bridges for Successful Change

By Elaine B. Gould, M.Ed.

     "Inclusion is a philosophy that urges schools, neighborhoods, and communities to welcome and value everyone, regardless of differences. Central to the philosophy of inclusion are the beliefs that everyone belongs, diversity is valued, and we can all learn from each other" (Renzaglia, Karvonen, Drasgow, & Stoxen, 2003, p. 140). How can we change practices of exclusion, indifference, and disengagement of students with disabilities to ones that embrace the philosophy of inclusion in our community, schools, and classrooms? Read more

Tech to Connect
By Fritz Geissler, M.Ed.
     Technology tools are improving the ability for educators to have real-time access to people around the world and to new learning in a way that was not previously possible. Read more
Writing Under Construction:
When Should You Take a Detour?
By Elaine Gould, M.Ed., and Butler Knight, Ed.S.

      This is the last in a series of four articles about how teachers can support students as they use self-directed learning strategies to become more skilled, independent, and confident writers. Self-directed learning strategies are effective for students with behavioral and learning challenges, but, for a few students, maintaining the increased level of performance can be challenging.

      This article focuses on strategy evaluation and differentiation of instruction to facilitate the sustained use of the writing strategy while addressing writing challenges that may resurface throughout the process.
Read more
Transition Time
Creating Powerful Partnerships Between Schools and
Workforce Development Centers of the Virginia Community College System
By Debbie Grosser, M.Ed., and Dale Pennell, C.A.S.
     This is the fourth in a four-part series of interviews with leaders of agencies that serve persons with disabilities. Responses to the questions posed describe how schools may create powerful partnerships with these agencies to facilitate the smooth transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life.  Willie Blanton, manager of Workforce Services of the Virginia Community College System, was interviewed for this article.
Read more
Remember Academic Content with Ease:
RACE Ahead with Mnemonics!
by Lee Anne Sulzberger, M.Ed.
      "My dear Aunt Sally just spent Uncle Ned's pay; HOMES; Every good boy does fine." Did you recall the order of the planets in our solar system (before Pluto was reclassified), the names of the five Great Lakes, and the notes that make up the treble clef in music as soon as you read these phrases? What can teachers do to help students remember academic content with the same ease?  Click here to learn more about how you can help students remember academic content by using mnemonic instruction.
Inclusive Practices:  Including All Students
in the Life of the School

By Tina Spencer, M.S.
      Educators readily acknowledge the need to focus on the intellectual development of all students. Equally important is students' social-emotional development. The stigma of "being labeled" has left many students with disabilities feeling unwanted, insecure, and isolated in classrooms across the nation. Click here to learn more about including students with disabilities in the life of the school.
Family Partnerships:
Creating Powerful Partnerships Between
Families and the Arc of Virginia

By Debbie Grosser, M.Ed., and Dale Pennell, C.A.S.
     This is the fourth in a four-part series of interviews with leaders of agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. In this issue, Nancy Mentor, co-executive director of The Arc of Virginia, describes how families can create powerful partnerships with Arc to support education and community involvement for youth with disabilities. Read more
Check it Out!
The following materials are available to individuals in Superintendents Regions 2 and 3 on loan from the T/TAC College of William and Mary lending library. These resources are companions to the articles in this issue of Link Lines, providing more i-depth coverage on the topics in the newsletter. Click here and read more on page 5

It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Learning Disabled Child Find Social Success 
By Richard Lavoie
 
Self-Determination Instructional and Assessment Strategies 
By Michael Wehmeyer and Sharon Field
 
Transition IEPs: A Curriculum Guide for
Teachers and Transition Practitioners

 By Paul Wehman and Katherine Mullaney Wittig
 
Leading Change in Your School: How to Conquer Myths,
Build Commitment, and Get Results

By Douglas Reeves
 
Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field
Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age

By Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss

Books