Resources

Read. Consider. Do. Volume 2

In Volume 2 of our Read.Consider.Do. feature, we offer a thought-provoking article for you to read, some questions for you to consider, and some things you can do to share, deepen, or implement your learning. We hope you join us in this independent professional learning opportunity!

READ.

The International Literacy Association's 2018 What's Hot in Literacy Report

For this annual report, the International Literacy Association (ILA) surveyed over 2,000 literacy leaders from across the globe to find out their thoughts on what's hot and what's important in literacy. The topics that were deemed as "hot" are not the same as those thought to be "important." The top five of seventeen topics are listed below for each category.

CONSIDER.

What topics do you think are "hot"? "Important"? Why? How do your choices align with the topics identified in the survey?
What do the "hot" topics say about the priorities in education? In literacy education?
What do the "important" topics say about the priorities in education? In literacy education?
What did you find surprising in the survey?
In your school or district, are the "hot" topics and the "important" topics the same? Why or why not? Should they be?
What implications does this information have for your work?

DO.

Share and discuss this article with colleagues.
Advocate for topics that you feel are important but are not getting enough attention.
Research topics in the report that you would like to know more about.

Please feel free to share your thoughts about this article or Read.Consider.Do. with Janet N.Y. Zarchen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Bureau of Special Education's 15th Annual Back to School Meeting

The 15th Annual Back to School meeting, hosted by the Connecticut State Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education, provides updates to Special Education Directors.

This year's event, titled "BSE: Mission IS - Possible!", focuses on enhancing student voice in special education and features a morning keynote by Calvin Terrell. The morning session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Participants also have the opportunity to register for the following afternoon sessions, which run from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Read. Consider. Do.

READ. CONSIDER. DO.

In our Read.Consider.Do. feature we offer a thought-provoking article for you to read, some questions for you to consider, and some things you can do to share, deepen, or implement your learning. We hope you join us in this independent professional learning opportunity!

READ.

From The Atlantic - “Why American Students Haven’t Gotten Better at Reading in 20 Years” by Natalie Wexler

This article suggests that the reason the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores in reading have not improved in 20 years is because the way reading is taught in schools does not reflect the research on what works when teaching reading.

According to the article, research shows that the best way to increase reading comprehension is to build knowledge and vocabulary through content area teaching. However, most schools have emphasized the teaching of skills such as “finding the main idea” and “making inferences” in addition to the use of leveled texts as a way to increase comprehension. This puts the neediest students at the most risk, since they may not have the same opportunities to acquire knowledge outside of school as wealthier students.

CONSIDER.

Which parts of the article do you agree with? Which parts do you disagree with?
How does the instructional practice described in the article match what is happening in your district, school, or classroom?
How does the research described in the article agree with your knowledge base?
It can be inferred that the misunderstanding or misapplication of reading research maintains or increases inequities for racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse students, as well as students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). How would you know if this was impacting students in your district, school, or classroom?

DO.

Was there a part of the article you found challenging? Do some research to find out more.
Was there an instructional practice described in the article that you would like to implement? Decide on the steps you will take to do so.
Are there ideas in the article that you would like to think more deeply about? Share the article with colleagues and make plans to discuss it with them.

Please feel free to share your thoughts about this article or Read.Consider.Do with Janet N.Y. Zarchen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Using the Mercury Reader Chrome App

This short video provides information on how use the Mercury Reader in Chrome. The Mercury Reader simplifies the page by removing advertisements which may distract a student.

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Using Text to Speech in Apple Products - iPad or iPhone

This short video provides information on how to activate use text-to-speech in an iPad or iPhone

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Using Text to speech in Android Devices

This short video provides information on how to activate use text-to-speech in Android Devices

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Using Voice Typing with Google Docs

This short video provides information on how use voice typing in Google Docs.

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Installing Google Read Write - Free for Educators

This short video provides information on how to install Google Read Write for free if you are an educator.

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Accommodations & Modifications

In this web module, we are going to talk about accommodations and modifications for students disabilities. We will focus on the importance of accommodations and modifications as supports for students as they access the curriculum, participate and make progress in academic activities. We will also discuss the importance of knowing the difference between an accommodation and a modification.

Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Material Supports -- The Role of School Leadership

This 11 minute presentation discusses assistive technology and accessible educational material supports for students disabilities.

More...

Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

This ten minute multimedia presentation discusses the universal importance of human communication, and introduces us to some children who may not be able to use speech as their primary means of communication.

Multisensory Structured Literacy Instruction: Group Instructional Methodology

Structured literacy instruction is an essential component of specialized instruction for students with SLD/Dyslexia. The New Jersey State Department of Education has prepared a two-hour free video and accompanying handouts that describe the elements of this methodology and illustrate teaching approaches.

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Webinar Archive: Using the Local Educational Agency (LEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Calculator

Originally broadcast October 26, 2017

Presenter: Thomas Boudreau, CSDE Consultant

Description:
A founding principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant is to supplement, not supplant, local and state effort. This live webinar will address Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and examine both the Eligibility (budget) and Compliance (expenditure) Standards related to the Grant.

The webinar will provide state-specific instruction on accurately completing a new tool, the MOE Calculator (an Excel spreadsheet), which will be required as part of the LEA Application for the FFY18 IDEA Grant moving forward. The tool will document, preserve, and test aggregate expenditure data required by the Grant. The webinar will also include an opportunity to ask questions.

Direct questions regarding content to Stephen Proffitt at 860-632-1485, x322 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Resources

Read. Consider. Do. Volume 2

READ.

CONSIDER.

DO.

The Bureau of Special Education's 15th Annual Back to School Meeting

Read. Consider. Do.

READ. CONSIDER. DO.

READ.

CONSIDER.

DO.

Using the Mercury Reader Chrome App

Using Text to Speech in Apple Products - iPad or iPhone

Using Text to speech in Android Devices

Using Voice Typing with Google Docs

Installing Google Read Write - Free for Educators

Accommodations & Modifications

Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Material Supports -- The Role of School Leadership

More...

Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Multisensory Structured Literacy Instruction: Group Instructional Methodology

Webinar Archive: Using the Local Educational Agency (LEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Calculator

Originally broadcast October 26, 2017

Webinar Archive

Session Handouts

Related Links

Guidelines for Alternative School Settings - 2014