Podcast on Discipline and Behavior

Behavior, Young Children, & IEPs: A Conversation with Advocate Sandra Fitzpatrick

 I was recently interviewed by Christie White, pictured above, on the topic of Discipline and Behavior.  We discussed what to do if your child is struggling at school with behavior -- how to take the emphasis off of discipline and onto identifying the lacking skills that are manifested as "behavior."  Once we can identify the lacking skills, we can teach those skills and affect real and positive change.   To listen to the interview/podcast go to:

 www.speducated.com/behavior/ 

Christie is an advocate located in Eastern Mass, who also trained to be an advocate with the Federation for Children with Special Needs.  Christie has also interviewed Dr. Karen Postal, a neuropsychologist and co-author of the book, Feedback That Sticks: The Art of Effectively Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results.  In the interview with Christie, Dr. Postal discusses the role and purpose of neuropsychological evaluations.

Please check out Christie's website   www.speducated.com for her ongoing podcasts/interviews and for various resources!

Have a Say on New Proposed Regulations on Student Discipline!

Notice Of Public Comment on 603 CMR 53.00, Student Discipline Regulations- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educationhttp://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=8031

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educationhttp://www.doe.mass.edu/

Education Laws and Regulations

Notice Of Public Comment on 603 CMR 53.00, Student Discipline Regulations

Pursuant to its authority under M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B, and c. 71, § 37H and 37H ¾ , and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, M.G.L. c.30A, § 3, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) is soliciting public comment on 603 CMR 53.00, Student Discipline Regulations.

 

The proposed new regulations establish certain procedural requirements for student suspensions and expulsions in public and charter schools as required by Chapter 222 of the Acts of 2012, "An Act Relative to Student Access to Educational Services and Exclusion from School". The proposed new regulations will include: the minimum requirements and procedures applicable to the suspension of a student under new M.G.L. c. 71, §37 H ¾; the requirement that public schools have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all student who have been suspended, in-school or out-of-school, or expelled, have an opportunity to make academic progress during their suspension or expulsion, in accordance with new M.G.L. c. 76, §21; and the requirements for data reporting.

 

Copies of the regulations are available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/, or by calling 781-338-6303.

Written comments on the proposed regulations may be submitted by mail to: Elizabeth Harris Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148, by fax to781-338-3399, or by e-mail to eharris@doe.mass.edu.

The deadline for submission of public comment is Friday, March 7, 2014.

The Board is expected to vote on adopting the regulations as permanent regulations at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for March 25, 2014.

 

 

  603 CMR 53.00, Student Discipline Regulations

HOW CAN THE FCSN HELP FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

The Parent Training and Information Center a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. This is our Special Education Information Survey: Tell Us About Your Child's Services

We need your help, so that we may help families.

The Parent Training and Information Center at the Federation for Children with Special Needs is interested in learning about your experiences with special education in Massachusetts.  We are conducting an assessment of the training and information needs of parents and families.  This information will assist us in planning and creating activities that will more effectively serve families. If you have more than one child that you support, please fill out the survey for each child and submit it to us by February 28, 2014. Many Thanks!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PTI2014

FCSN ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Federation for Children with Special Needs conference

Early Bird Registration extended through February 16^th!

After February 16 the participant fee will increase from $75 to $90. 

 

Visions of Community, a Conference for Parents of Children with Special Needs and the Professionals Who Serve Them” will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Topics include special education advocacy, managing challenging behaviors, transition to adulthood for students with disabilities, inclusion, policy initiatives, assistive technology, healthcare, bullying, parent leadership opportunities, early childhood, autism and more. In addition to approximately 30 sessions in English, a full conference strand of many of these topics will be offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Somali, and Vietnamese.

 

Transportation is being offered FREE.

The Western MA location for pick up is 

11 Wilbraham Rd, Spfld

You must indicate you are requesting transportion on you registration form.

EASY WAY TO SUPPORT THE FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS!

Dear Friend, The Federation has an exciting opportunity to share with you! Do you subscribe to the Boston Globe? If so, you have the unique opportunity to help the Federation!  The Boston Globe has mailed vouchers to each of their subscribers and are asking them to return the voucher with the name of their favorite Massachusetts non-profit on it. Seven-day newspaper subscribers' vouchers are valued at $100; all other subscribers (including website-only readers) have been sent vouchers valued at $50.  Learn more about the program! The organizations with the most donations will receive free advertising in The Boston Globe. Please send in your vouchers and vote for the Federation! Free advertising in the Boston Globe would enable us to reach and support more families who have children with special needs! Thank you!                                   Richard J. Robison                                                     Executive Director

Urge Your Congressional Rep. to Support House Resolution on Dyslexia, #456

The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity congratulates Rep. Bill Cassidy for the House Resolution on Dyslexia (H.Res. 456, 113th Congress), at long last, recognizing that dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty that has profound educational implications.

Rep. Cassidy's resolution represents a giant step forward for everyone and anyone who cares about dyslexia - parents, teachers, dyslexic children and adults. Science has progressed in bringing understanding and clarity to dyslexia. This Resolution now calls for educators and testing agencies to catch up and put this powerful knowledge to work so that affected children and their families, and our entire nation may benefit. For too long, parents have had to endure watching their child struggle, often year after year, with every sign of dyslexia, with (if they could afford it) reports confirming the diagnosis, only to be denied recognition and services. Children confused, thinking they are not capable, lose self-esteem and give up on themselves and their futures. 

Rep. Cassidy's Resolution recognizes each major element of dyslexia, its:  high prevalence (1 in 5);  cognitive and neurobiological bases; unexpected nature; persistence; and critically, its profound impact on education and the critical need for action by schools. Dyslexia impacts your child's education and can be properly and successfully addressed by schools. There is no excuse not to, our children and our nation's futures are at stake. Schools must take their heads out of the ground and look up - to science and morality - and move forward.

Rep. Cassidy gets it; the Bipartisan Dyslexia Caucus which he co-founded was a major step forward and now the Dyslexia Resolution brings light and understanding and we hope action to ensuring that children who are dyslexic receive the understanding and evidence-based programs and accommodations that they deserve and require. We urge all who care to contact your Congressional representative and urge him or her to support this resolution. Please act now - find your rep here: www.house.gov/representatives/find

You can make a difference!

FCSN ANNUAL WORKSHOP: Vision of Community 2014

Visions of Community 2014
A Conference for Families of Children with Special Needs
and the Professionals Who Serve Them
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Seaport World Trade Center - Boston

*FREE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FROM THE SPRINGFIELD AREA*

The Federation is pleased to announce its annual statewide conference "Visions of Community, a Conference for Parents of Children with Special Needs and the Professionals Who Serve Them" will be held on Saturday, March 8 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.



Two keynote presentations for Visions of Community will feature Michael K. Yudin, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services for the US Department of Education and Dana and Brooke Yarbrough. Dana is the Executive Director of Parent to Parent of Virginia. Her daughter Brooke operates Brooke's Happy Tails Dog Boarding, a microenterprise she started in 2012.



Breakout workshops at Visions of Community will include topics on special education advocacy, managing challenging behaviors, transition to adulthood for students with disabilities, inclusion, policy initiatives, assistive technology, healthcare, bullying, parent leadership opportunities, early childhood, autism and more. In addition to approximately 30 sessions in English, a full conference strand of many of these topics will be offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Somali, and Vietnamese.

The conference Exhibit Hall typically features over 75 vendors and resources for families. The conference is a wonderful opportunity for families and professionals to network and learn about important resources.

Please use this link for more information about the conference:
http://fcsn.org/voc2014/

Community Partnership Awards
Each year the Federation for Children with Special Needs presents Community Partnership Awards to individuals in Massachusetts who have successfully promoted an inclusive environment in their community at our Visions of Community conference. Do you know a parent, student, teacher, administrator, health provider, coach, neighbor or other individual who has worked to create and support the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, those at-risk, or those who face cultural or linguistic barriers, in your school, health care or other place in the community? Nominate a person who has made a difference for a Community Partnership Award!
The Federation will present its 2014 Community Partnership Awards at the Visions of Community Conference to be heldSaturday March 8, 2014 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.

Community Partnership Award Nomination Form (http://fcsn.org/voc2014/cpa-form/)

Keynote Speakers
Michael K. Yudin

[yudin] Michael K. Yudin is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education. He serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on matters related to the education of children and youth with disabilities, as well as employment and community living for youth and adults with disabilities. The mission of his office is to provide leadership to achieve full integration and participation in society of people with disabilities by promoting inclusion, ensuring equity, and creating opportunities for people with disabilities.


Dana Yarbrough

[dana] Dana Yarbrough, a native of Massachusetts, is the mother of 19-year-old daughter Brooke, who has physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities. Brooke lives in Richmond, Virginia where she operates Brooke's Happy Tails Dog Boarding, a microenterprise she started in 2012 one month after graduating with an IEP Diploma from Varina High School. Dana is the Executive Director of Parent to Parent of Virginia and serves as the program leader for family support and self-advocacy projects at the Partnership for People with Disabilities located at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Leadership, and in May will earn a Masters Degree in Transition Secondary Special Education from The George Washington University.


Brooke Yarbrough

[brooke] Brooke is a 19 year-old young woman who has physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities. The Yarbrough family has an entrepreneurial spirit and Brooke has followed in those footsteps by opening her own business one month after graduating with an IEP Diploma from Varina High School in Richmond, Virginia.





Workshops

This year we are pleased to offer 45 topical workshops in 6 different languages. A limited number of English workshops will be interpreted if requested by February 7th. Here are the workshops that will be presented by session:
http://fcsn.org/voc2014/home/workshops/