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Parent to Parent A Publication of the Parent Resource Center Patricia Macdonald, Coordinator phone: (540) 389-0130 email:
[email protected] web address: https://sites.google.com/a/salem.k12.va.us/scsdiv/special-education/parent-resource-center
Parent, Family, and Community Training Series We are very happy to report that our newly developed training series has gotten off to a great start this year! We have one remaining presentation. The topic will be Dropout Prevention and our presenter will be Mr. Curtis Hicks, Director of Secondary Instruction for Salem City Schools. It will be held on Friday, April 20, from 1:30-2:30 pm at the School Board Office, 510 South College Avenue, Salem. Hope to see you there! You can access handouts from many of the past sessions on the Parent Resource Center website (https://sites.google.com/a/salem.k12.va.us/scsdiv/special-education/parent-resource-center). Here is what some parents who have attended the workshops this year have said: “A wonderful way to receive information and strategies on topics that affect our children and families.” “Information parents can use presented in an informal and relaxed setting.” We are starting to plan our topics for next year and welcome your suggestions. Please call the Parent Resource Center (389-0130) to share your thoughts or send your recommendations by email (
[email protected]). If you would like to be added to our electronic reminder list for Parent Resource Center events, please contact us and we will be happy to add you to our email list. Events in the Community (please see back cover for more listings) Two
separate workshops on Autism: April 18, Autism and Mental Health, Fostering Awareness and Resilience with Pat Amos and on May 3, Inclusion in 2012 with Michael McSheehan. There is a registration fee for each session. For more information, log onto http://www.alivecontroversy.com/conferences-and-training.html or call the Parent Resource Center, 389-0130. Rising
high school seniors who have a disability, are planning to attend a 2-4 year college, and seeking a Standard or Advanced Diploma are encouraged to apply for Exploring Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech, July 6-7. Applications due April 30. Contact Andrea Sharpe, email
[email protected], or log onto http://www.me.vt.edu/stemability.
SPRING 2012
PARENT TO PARENT
A Snapshot of Assessment Options for Students with Disabilities by Patricia Macdonald, Parent Resource Center Coordinator Spring is the time of year when standardized assessments are given, so it seems fitting to give an overview of assessments and options for students with disabilities in this newsletter. A student’s individualized education program (IEP) specifies the participation in Virginia’s state accountability system, whether in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments (with or without accommodations) or one of Virginia’s alternate assessment programs. All students with disabilities must first be considered for participation in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments.1 The alternate assessments are the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA), the Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP), the Virginia Modified Achievement Standards Test (VMAST), and the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP). Parents and guardians should take the time to become familiar with the different assessments. Alternate assessment criteria and tests often change from year to year depending on what is required from the Virginia Department of Education, so take the time to review information about each test before your child’s IEP meeting. One way to do this is to keep an open dialogue with your child’s case manager and guidance counselor. Parents and guardians are an important part of the IEP team and, as such, should make every effort to attend the IEP meeting annually. As your child becomes older and is able to participate in the IEP meetings, empower him or her in the educational process by inviting your child. Detailed information on alternate assessments can be found on the Virginia Department of Education’s website in the document Procedure for Participation of Students with Disabilities in Virginia’s Accountability System, Including Participation Criteria and Testing Accommodations, A Guide for Educators and Parents, November 2011 , at the following link: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/participation/participation_va_accountability_system.pdf. Please contact the Parent Resource Center (389-0130,
[email protected]) for a printed copy. For more information, contact your child’s case manager, the guidance counselor at your school, or Dr. Randy Jennings, Supervisor of Special Education, at the School Board office (389-0130,
[email protected]). Source: 1. Parent’s Guide to Special Education, revised 2010, Virginia Department of Education
Congratulations to Ms. Carlie Compter, Teacher at G. W. Carver Elementary School, for being chosen the Virginia Council of Exceptional Children 2011 Teacher of the Year!
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SPRING 2012
PARENT TO PARENT
Be sure to stop by our annual Transition Fair at Salem High School on Thursday, March 29, from 9-11 a.m. Salem High School students will have the opportunity to attend as part of the school day. Parents and guardians who have children of any age are welcome to attend.
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Parent Resource Center City of Salem Schools 510 South College Avenue Salem, VA 24153
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID SALEM, VA Permit No. 109 Return Service Requested
Coordinator Hours: 8:3011:50 am, Tuesday through Thursday or by appointment.
Events in the Community (please see front cover for more listings) Individualized Education Program (IEP): Becoming Part of the Team, Strong Teams Produce Great Results. Monday, March 26, 6-8 pm. Presenter: Dr. Judy Fleming with Carilion Clinic-Roanoke Area Care Connection for Children. Location: Botetourt Community Church, 180 Commons Parkway, Daleville. Free presentation, registration requested by March 21 to Brenda Taylor by phone ((540) 985-9001) or email (
[email protected]). I’m Determined Youth Summit: June 11-12 at James Madison University. Virginia youth age 14 and older who have a disability are encouraged to apply. Selected individuals and a parent/guardian will receive paid registration, dormitory accommodations, travel expenses and meals for the event. Deadline for applications is April 2nd, 2012. Log onto www.imdetermined.org, or contact Kim Sheriden for more information ((540) 831-7159,
[email protected]). Partners in Policymaking, Applications for the 2012-2013 class from individuals with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities to participate in the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities’ Partners in Policymaking (PIP) advocacy training program are being accepted. More than three hundred Virginia PIP alumni, and thousands who have graduated from similar programs across the country, have learned how to make a difference every day for themselves, their families, and their communities. For more information, log onto http://www.vaboard.org/policymaking.htm or call (800) 846-4464. Applications due by April 30.
In this issue of Parent to Parent: Dropout Prevention (page 1) Assessment Options (page 2) Transition Fair (page 3)
