tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post5713819928255025758..comments2024-02-25T10:24:30.868-05:00Comments on Special needs disability parenting BLOOM: Dark clouds clearingBLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-44802163579869043812010-12-06T12:03:51.745-05:002010-12-06T12:03:51.745-05:00Hi everyone,
Louise blogged about my film Includi...Hi everyone,<br /><br />Louise blogged about my film Including Samuel in an earlier post, and I thought I’d share some information about the educational path towards a diploma for kids here in NH. <br /> <br />My colleague at the UNH Institute on Disability, Michael McSheehan, is a national expert on this topic. Michael is a coordinator of the newly funded National Inclusive Education Initiative for Students with Autism and Related Disabilities. He has worked on a variety of state and federally funded initiatives to advance research, policy, and practice in inclusive education, alternate assessment, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders, collaborative teaming, and Response to Intervention (RTI).<br /><br />Michael is working closely with the NH Department of Education and other groups to strengthen the assessment process for students with disabilities here in New Hampshire (NH). NH is seen as a national leader in this area. <br />This NH group sees K-12 education for kids with disabilities in the same way as we see it for all kids: the ultimate goal is to teach ALL kids the components needed for graduation. Any individual student should have access to any class/coursework that is required for graduation. <br /><br />Many students with disabilities can demonstrate their knowledge of that curriculum through standardized assessments. These assessments should incorporate multiple modes of communication -- as long as student’s intent and authorship is preserved. These multiple modes of communication could include AAC devices any other form of assistive technology, and/or low-tech communication such as pictures boards, objects, and photographs. These approaches are commonly referred to as “Universal Design for Learning” or UDL. See more about UDL at http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html and universally designed assessments at: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/NCEO/TOPICAREAS/UnivDesign/UnivDesignTopic.htm <br /><br />But some students with disabilities need an alternate assessment to demonstrate that they have learned the curriculum necessary to receive a high school diploma. This NH group is in the process of redesigning the alternate assessment. The learning expectations from the alternate assessment are built directly from the general education standards. The ‘alternate’ approach is that students demonstrate their knowledge through an individualized portfolio approach. <br /><br />All the assessments in NH are aligned with the ‘common core’ educational standards established at the state and federal level– the educational standards that demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math and science. <br /><br />For more information about New Hampshire’s assessment approach, go to:<br />http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/assessment/alt_assess/index.htm<br /><br />For more information about the National Inclusive Education Initiative at the Institute on Disability at UNH, go to:<br />http://iod.unh.edu/Projects/niei/program_description.aspx<br /><br />-Dan Habib<br />Filmmaker in Residence<br />Institute on Disability at UNHDan Habibhttp://www.includingsamuel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-67620393423697675262010-11-27T21:06:07.008-05:002010-11-27T21:06:07.008-05:00So sorry to read this, Louise. I don't know mu...So sorry to read this, Louise. I don't know much about the diploma thing (and being in California, not sure how useful my info would be) other than some kids I know with disabilities have been able to pass the test to earn the diploma and others get a completion certificate and that this is controversial. But to me, what seems most important, is that Ben's education program meet him where HE is and challenge him at his level. I'm sorry that he's been pigeon-holed based on one 15 minute assessment with no accommodations for his specific needs. I am heartened to hear that the meeting went well and the team is reconsidering. Good luck to you!!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399324383367077919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-50753674861224714062010-11-24T17:54:58.993-05:002010-11-24T17:54:58.993-05:00Although I graduated from Monarch Park Collegiate,...Although I graduated from Monarch Park Collegiate, I must profess that I am largely self-taught, as my diploma wasn't worth the paper is was printed on. Therefore, may I be so bold as to ask one question: What is the point of inclusion without education? <br /><br />Moreover,I also wish that you tell Ben's teacher, "What he or she views as piecemeal work, can also be described as 'menial labour.' Absolutely, no different from Bantu Education Act of 1952, administered in accordance with former South African regime of Apartheid."<br /><br />Matt KamaratakisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-34596762378866592342010-11-24T13:22:00.020-05:002010-11-24T13:22:00.020-05:00Very sorry to hear this.... are you in Toronto?Very sorry to hear this.... are you in Toronto?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-65317784107583970352010-11-23T16:25:02.424-05:002010-11-23T16:25:02.424-05:00Hi Lisa and Emma -- thanks for your messages. I re...Hi Lisa and Emma -- thanks for your messages. I recall hearing about the change re diploma status but at the time it had no meaning for me as Ben was so young.<br /><br />The students in Ben's school receive a certificate of achievement. I'm not sure how that compares to the ones in the UK Emma.<br /><br />And Emma -- I agree about imagination. Unless a child has internal motivation to do something because it fascinates them, we don't really know what they're capable of.<br /><br />Thanks!BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-58570553399609581772010-11-23T00:44:47.479-05:002010-11-23T00:44:47.479-05:00No point me adding what goes on here, we may as we...No point me adding what goes on here, we may as well be on Mars. <br /><br />I'm surprised and appalled about the lack of a literacy program. Literacy and math are both life skills in the world we live in, at the very least recognizing common signs is a great benefit for students. Building on the skills and knowledge that each student has would seem logical so why not improve Ben's literacy skills? And is there not any kind of "functional literacy" program for the students? <br /><br />While I understand the focus on life skills, I'm always disappointed at the narrow way in which that is interpreted (sorting, packaging etc), if the aim is "meaningful work" it should be acknowledged that what is meaningful for teachers and parents and the general population or whatever, may not be meaningful to the student. There needs to be more flexibility and imagination. And yes, for students who can improve academically, why not include this in the program.<br /><br />What kind of accreditation is there at the end of school?<br /><br />(these are UK examples of accreditation - Accreditation for Life and Living, ASDAN Towards Independence and Transition Challenge and also OCR National Skills Profile. These run alongside the new Foundation Learning Diploma)emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04195918097785592926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-12471568713728261552010-11-22T22:06:21.722-05:002010-11-22T22:06:21.722-05:00UGH! I am so sorry Louise.
Ben should be in a prog...UGH! I am so sorry Louise.<br />Ben should be in a program that allows him to work to his full potential.<br /><br />I believe the change in diploma status came around with the new curriculum around '99. I started teaching that year and I remember my friend teaching in our life skills program telling me this. <br />I find it so disturbing that students cannot work towards a diploma. <br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com