Curriculum & Instruction

• PARCC releases draft writing accommodations for public comment
  A proposed policy for the use of scribes and word-prediction software on Common Core State Standards' assessments would limit such supports to those included in a student's individualized education program and accessed for written expression during regular instructional time, education reporter Christina A. Samuels writes in this blog post. The policy is the latest proposal from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. The deadline for public comment is Feb. 20. Education Week/On Special Education blog (2/8)     

	Perkins eLearning: Online Professional Development Perkins is a leading source of online training for educators whose students are blind and deafblind. Be a part of our teacher community. Earn professional development credits online via: 1) participating in a variety of online learning activities OR 2) contributing instructional strategies and activities to our interactive websites! Learn More

Educational Leadership

• The future requires "quantum leap" in digital leadership
  More administrators say they are leading by example by encouraging educators to use more digital technology in the classroom. They say this type of leadership will become increasingly important as districts work to implement the Common Core State Standards. "Modeling is crucial. If you want your kids and teachers to be users of 21st-century tools, ... you have to show that you can do it too," said Spike Cook, principal of an elementary school in Millville, N.J. "It shows that I'm still a teacher -- I can still instruct and still learn." Digital Directions (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (2/6)     

Online Academy for Educators of Students with Autism "Preparing Educators of Students with Autism" is a fully online graduate academy of Indiana University's School of Education. Five courses focus on supporting social, communication, and behavioral competency. Become an expert on learning patterns, family and individual perspectives, research-based assessment, and intervention approaches! Learn More

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by CEC SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Report lists social-skills programs that improve classroom behavior (Education Week)

• More emphasis on autism services is needed, committee says (Disability Scoop)

• Memoir writing encourages self-awareness among students (Education Week Teacher (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org))

• Commentary: Special education should focus on student strengths (Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org))

• Using apps, games to engage students in learning (U.S. News & World Report)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Technology Trends

• U.K. educators tout benefits of technology in gifted education
  Some educators who recently participated in an online chat about using technology in gifted education say they think a variety of technologies can allow students to collaborate and personalize their education. Reporter Matthew Jenkin shares educators' views in this blog post. One educator emphasized all the free technology that can enhance gifted education, including Edmodo, Google Drive and social-networking sites. The Guardian (London) (2/9)     

Policy News

• La. superintendent proposes new special-education funding formula
  Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White is seeking to have the state fund students in special education based on individual need rather than a flat rate, which is set at 150% of the cost to educate a student in general education. White's proposal, which will be brought to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education next month, seeks to improve the state's 29% graduation rate for students with disabilities. The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) (2/11)     

• Valentine's Day is no less sweet under new policies
  In some Chicago-area classrooms, Valentine's Day will be celebrated this week with peanut-free cupcakes, yogurt and fruit slices instead of candy. Educators say the changes to the way the holiday is celebrated come as more schools are serving students with severe food allergies and increasing focus on nutrition. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (2/11)     

• Other News

• Ohio district releases data on use of restraint, seclusion
  The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (2/10)     

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) When you walk into a successful math classroom, what should you see, hear, and feel? Math Sense helps teachers self-assess, distills the key components of a good lesson, and offers ideas for improving classroom spaces, discourse, and engagement. Preview the entire book! Interested in learning more about advertising in CEC SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 407-7857 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.

Eye on Exceptionalities

• Milwaukee company trains adults with autism for multimedia jobs
  A startup production company in Milwaukee aims to help adults with autism and recent college graduates find jobs in multimedia production and communication. The nonprofit lends its office space and production equipment to recent university graduates in exchange for mentoring young adults with autism. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (tiered subscription model) (2/9)     

• Other News

• Minn. high school partners with theater troop for actors with disabilities
  Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (2/9)     

CEC Spotlight

• Today's CEC's National Action Day! Tell Congress to protect education funding
  Show Congress that the needs of children and youth with disabilities are important by flooding Capitol Hill with messages asking Congress to stop cuts to education and other programs that children and families need. Send a letter to your representatives today!     

• CEC Webinar: IEP development and coordination with transition plans for youth with EBD
  Part two of a three-part webinar series, this session will cover IEP decision making and strategies focused on social/emotional goal development, behavior intervention plans and the articulation of transition-specific experiences that support linkages across systems. Participate in this webinar to learn how to improve the transition programming at your school and to better meet the needs of youth with EBD. Register today!     

Position Title Company Name Location Special Education Teacher The Piedmont School of Atlanta US - GA - Atlanta Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services Greenville County Schools Greenville, SC Assistant Professor of Special Education UW - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Director of Learning Support Rockdale County Public Schools Conyers, GA $125,000 Salary for Special Education Teacher TEP Charter School New York, NY Asst/Assoc/Full Professor of Biological, Behavioral Communication or Learning University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Assistant Director, Student Services, Academic Services Government of Bermuda Nationwide, Bermuda Assistant Professor in Special Education College of Education, Florida State University US - FL - Tallahassee Director of Research and Professional Development Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs QAT - Nationwide

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SmartQuote

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. ... The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." --George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright