PLUK eNews April
5-9, 2004
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Apr_05_04.htm
Volume 2 Issue 39
Welcome to the weekly PLUK eNews!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Apr_05_04.pdf
)
We are proud to present news of interest for Montana families of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and for the professionals and educators who serve them; however, it does not constitute an endorsement.
This issue is dedicated to the memory of Karen Marie Cox, teacher, leader, parent, friend, and advocate for children. Memorials may be made to the Karen Cox Scholarship Fund at the Teachers Credit Union, 1111 24th St. West, Billings, MT 59102. http://www.legacy.com/billingsgazette/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2092689
I do not believe the future will belong to those who are content with the present.... The future will belong to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.--US Senator Paul Wellstone, 1944-2002
Highlights: (click on title to go to story)
PLUK Launches
New Periodical: Monthly Update
Beginning this month, April 2004, PLUK will be publishing a newsletter each
month. The Monthly Update, which launches this month will focus on breaking
news, events and training. Your regular PLUK News will be published quarterly in
expanded editions with all your favorite features.
The electronic version of the April 2004 Monthly Update is available online at: http://www.pluk.org/MU/Apr04.pdf.
The paper version is being printed and should be in mailboxes within a week.
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Secretary Paige Issues New Policy for Calculating
Participation Rates Under No Child Left Behind
March 29, 2004. In an effort to help states implement the No Child Left
Behind Act , U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced new policies
for calculating participation rates -- the percentage of enrolled students who
participate in an assessment program. The announcement was made at the National
School Boards Association's 64th annual conference in Orlando, Fla.
States will be able to average participation rates over a three-year period. In
addition, students who are unable to take the test during the testing and
make-up windows because of a unique, significant medical emergency will not
count against the school's participation rate.
"Participation in assessments makes our schools more inclusive, responsive
and fair in meeting the needs of struggling students, which is why
accountability is at the heart of No Child Left Behind," Paige said.
"Every student should count, but if they don't take the tests, they can't
be counted. The 95 percent participation rate was included in the law to ensure
that all children are assessed. However, we recognized that there were
circumstances whereby a few absent students prevented an otherwise successful
school from meeting the 95 percent participation rate requirement. Thus, the
school did not make AYP (adequate yearly progress). This practical examination
of the law allows for those schools still to meet their AYP requirements."
Read the complete release at: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/03/03292004.html
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PLUK Sponsors Full-Day Assistive Technology Seminars in
Billings and Kalispell in May
Visit http://www.pluk.org/ATconf.htm
for details.
May 12 - Billings & May 19 - Kalispell
This full-day seminar offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable information
on the topic of assistive technology. The two morning sessions will cover the
basic information of technology and the law and how to make technology
decisions. The afternoon sessions will cover specific strategies, devices,
resources and what may be expected in the future. Topics to be covered include
the following:
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White House releases 2004 Report on the New Freedom
Initiative for People with Disabilities
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html
Executive Summary
Chapter 1. Increasing Access through Technology
Chapter 2. Expanding Educational Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities
Chapter 3. Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workplace
Chapter 4. Promoting Full Access to Community Life
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
The Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), said
that, wherever possible, people with disabilities should be provided services in
the community, rather than in institutions. For the promise of full integration
into the community to become a reality, people with disabilities need safe and
affordable housing, access to transportation, access to the political process,
and the right to enjoy whatever services, programs, and activities are offered
to all members of the community at both public and private facilities. The
President has done the following to promote full integration of individuals with
disabilities into the community:
Access the report at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html
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DREDF Update on IDEA Reauthorization
Founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents of children with
disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is
a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil
rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy,
technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates,
persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities.
SCHEDULE FOR SENATE BILL 1248: The bill could come to the Senate floor at any
time; the latest dates under discussion are April 7 or April 8. If the bill
passes the Senate, it will go to conference where it will have to be reconciled
with the House bill, H 1350.
Read the complete briefing at: http://www.dredf.org/rrn/briefing33.html
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RESEARCH FINDS OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS BOOST ACHIEVEMENT
A quantitative analysis of 56 studies of after-school and summer programs
found these programs have a small, though statistically significant positive
impact on student achievement in reading and mathematics. For more information
go to http://www.mcrel.org/newsroom/OSTsynthesis.asp
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TRANSITION TIMES NEWSLETTER
The Career and Transition Services newsletter is a publication designed to
share information and strategies for transitioning students with disabilities to
post-school life. The winter, 2004 issue "Career and Transition Services is
available on line at http://www.fcps.edu/DSSSE/careertransition/crtnnews.htm.
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Transition Coalition University of Kansas, Department
of Special Education
The mission of the Transition Coalition is to maximize professional
development in secondary school reform and transition at the national, state,
and local levels. The Coalition supports best practices and creates professional
development forums using face-to-face and online training and technical
assistance. http://www.transitioncoalition.org/index.html
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"WORKING TOGETHER FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION"
NOTEBOOK
This notebook has been prepared by the Washington State Adolescent
Transition Resource Project which is a resource for adolescents with special
health care needs, chronic illnesses, physical or developmental disabilities.
"Working Together for Successful Transition: Washington State Adolescent
Transition Resource Notebook" is available online on the Project's website:
http://depts.washington.edu/healthtr/
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LIFEWORKS WEB SITE
The National Institutes of Health, Office of Science Education introduces,
"LifeWorks", an interactive web site featuring information on more
than 100 careers in the health and medical sciences for middle to high school
youth. The site can be found at
http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks
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VIRGINIA COLLEGE QUEST
VaCollegeQuest.org is a new website that offers information, resources,
activities, profiles, and testimonials to help prepare and encourage middle and
high school students with disabilities for transition to college. Although some
of the information is specific to programs and activities within the state of
Virginia, a good deal applies to any student with a disability looking beyond
high school. For more information go to http://www.vacollegequest.org
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SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES - 2004
The George Washington University HEATH Resource Center researches summer
campus programs for students with disabilities annually. A list of resources has
been compiled for students with disabilities who are interested in exploring
ways to prepare for college and enhance college performance. For more
information go to http://www.heath.gwu.edu/
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AccessAbilities Conference 2004, May 20
William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
The Departments of Special Education and Counseling, Communication
Disorders, and Continuing Education are proud to host the AccessAbilities
Conference 2004 at William Paterson University.
The focus of this conference is how to effectively implement augmentative
communication and assistive technology in an educational setting. This
conference is geared toward educating teachers, therapists, child study teams,
vocational rehab counselors, school administrators, parents, and consumers about
successful strategies and devices that can be used to improve the academic and
social well-being of students with disabilities.
http://www.accessabilitiesconference2004.com
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GENES IN THE NEWS
RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY NEWLY RECOGNIZED TYPE OF MENTAL RETARDATION, AND A
NEW GENE IS ASSOCIATED WITH RETT SYNDROME
Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at the Harvard
Medical School have identified the gene responsible for a newly recognized type
of mental retardation. The findings appear to offer insights into human brain
development and the evolution of human behavior. Read more at http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/?node_id=1000&mainFrameSrc=/tools/newsnow/pr_out.asp?pr_id=526
Scientists at The Hospital for Sick Children, the Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health, and the University of Toronto have identified an alternate form
of the disease gene and protein for the neurodevelopmental condition Rett
syndrome. Rett syndrome is a major cause of mental retardation among girls. Read
more at http://www.sickkids.ca/mediaroom/custom/rettsyndrome04.asp
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RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE BRAIN LINKED
TO AUTISM
Using advanced imaging technology, a research team headed by Dr. Martha R.
Herbert of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School in
Boston, has identified specific portions of the brain's white matter that are
abnormally large in children with autism and developmental language disorder.
Read more at http://www.massgeneral.org/news/releases/032204herbert.html
Read an abstract on the discovery in the April issue of the Annals of Neurology
at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/107639602/ABSTRACT
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The Power of Art: Teaching Students with Learning
Disabilities
May 21, The Lab School in Washington DC
This one-day workshop is for art teachers. The program will present ways art can
be used to teach academic skills to students with learning disabilities.
For more information: 202/965-6600, DAwamleh@aol.com,
http://www.LabSchool.org.
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Autism May Have Hereditary Link
Study identifies gene variant linked to communication disorder
THURSDAY, April 1 (HealthDayNews) -- For the first time, scientists have
identified a strong link between a specific gene and autism.
The finding appears in the April issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City found a gene
variant that appears to increase the risk of autism in a broad population.
Previous studies identified links between rare genetic mutations and autism only
in single families.
Read the complete article at: http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=518180.
View an abstract of the article from AJP at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/161/4/662.
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Training/Workshops/Meetings/Conferences in Montana:: (click on trainings for more information)
http://www.pluk.org/calendar.htm
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Training/Workshops/Conferences outside Montana:: (click on trainings for more information)
http://www.pluk.org/calendar.htm#00
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Art Workshops April 21 & May 5 in Billings
Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) is sponsoring two special Art Workshops on
April 21st and May 5th for young people at the Yellowstone Art Museum. The
workshop is being co-sponsored by PLUK and the Yellowstone Art Museum in an
effort to introduce the world of art to children and teens. It's not necessary
that participants have any previous experience, but those with experience are
invited to attend too. It is necessary that parents call PLUK's Office and
pre-register their child to attend, as space is limited and there are a fixed
number of slots for participants. The workshop is open for children from age 6
through the teen years. It should be great fun and an interesting and artistic
experience! The workshop begins at 3:30pm and lasts until 5. Participants should
wear casual clothing. To register or for more information, call PLUK's Office at
255-0540. It is necessary to be registered to attend the session.
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Birthday Time?
Does your child have a birthday coming up? Are you dreading the decorating, food
preparation and cleanup? If so, Contact Bill at Montana Candy Bar & Deli at
294-2327. Montana Candy Bar & Deli offers birthday parties at their store
located at 111South 24th Street West in the Rimrock Mini Mall. They will do the
decorating, provide lunch, ice cream and activities for the kids giving you an
opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the party for a change. Be sure to take
your camera for great photo of all the activities. AND PLUK will receive a
portion of the proceeds!
Get your Albertson Community Partners card!
PLUK has joined Albertsons' Community Partners Card Program. This program is
designed to help non-profit organizations raise funds needed for their programs.
A percentage of your grocery total will be donated to PLUK. All that is needed
is to show your Community Partners card each time you make a purchase at
Albertsons. It does not cost you anything. If you are interested in assisting
PLUK in raising funds this way, please contact Bernice at 255-0540 to get a
Community Partners card.
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Parent's, Let's Unite for Kids - PLUK
516 N 32nd St Billings MT 59101-6003
800-222-7585; 406-255-0540; 406-255-0523 (fax)
plukinfo@pluk.org http://www.pluk.org
Edited by: Roger Holt rholt@pluk.org
Proofed & condensed by: Elisabeth Mills scribe@pluk.org
Assisted by: Katie Bonnell bonnell32@msn.com
View an archive of all Weekly eNews at http://www.pluk.org/eNews.htm
Mission Statement: Parent's Let's Unite for Kids unites parents, professionals, families and friends of children with special needs to support one another, and share information for the benefit of their children.
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