… the latest updates and announcements for special education and more in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) is presenting a one-day Assistive Technology conference this summer and ADE/ESS is a major sponsor of this exciting professional development event!  The 12^th Assistive Technology Summer Institute will be held at the Glendale Civic Center on Thursday, July 22, 2010. A special, discounted rate is being offered to teachers, therapists and staff who work in the schools.  School personnel can attend a full day of Assistive Technology sessions, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks for only $49.00! The Conference reaches capacity at 200 participants, be sure to sign up while there are still openings available!  Conference and registration information can be downloaded at www.aztap.org.

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-ninth Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2732

schools; third grade retention

Purpose

            Requires the State Board of Education to adopt specific competency requirements for the promotion of third grade pupils and establishes the Task Force on Reading Assessment.

Background

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §15-701 details the duties and responsibilities of the State Board of Education (SBE).  Among those responsibilities is the requirement for the SBE to prescribe the minimum course of study for common (elementary) schools. The SBE is also charged with prescribing competency requirements for promoting third grade and eight grade students. The competency requirements for third grade promotion must incorporate, at a minimum, the adopted academic standards in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The statute also directs the SBE to distribute guidelines for school districts to follow in adopting criteria related to the promotion of elementary school students. The guidelines must include recommended procedures for taking into account students’ cultural background in the application of promotion criteria.

              The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) launched a statewide reading initiative in 2001, AZ READS.  AZ READS goal is for every Arizona child to read proficiently by third grade and remain a proficient reader through twelfth grade.  As part of the initiative, ADE recommended statutory changes, which resulted in Laws 2002, Chapter 295 establishing reading proficiency requirements for reading programs in for students in kindergarten and grades one through three.  Public schools must conduct screening and reading assessments and utilize the data for intervention purposes.  Additionally, the legislation required the adoption of scientifically based reading curriculum. Currently, if a third grade student fails to meet the reading standards as measured by the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) test the student must receive intensive reading instruction until the standards are met.  A public school’s governing body must review its reading program if 25 percent of their students fail to meet the reading standards as measured by the AIMS test (ARS §15-704).

Provisions

Third Grade Promotion

1.      Specifies what must be included in the SBE adopted competency requirements for third grade promotion as:

a)      a prohibition on the promotion of a student whose AIMS reading score indicates the students is reading far below the third grade level;

b)      a mechanism for governing boards to promote a student whose AIMS reading score indicates the students is reading far below the third grade level but meets one of the specified good cause exemptions;

c)      intervention and remedial strategies developed by the SBE for students who are not promoted.

2.      Stipulates the following good cause exemptions from the competency requirements:

a)      student has a disability and did not take AIMS;

b)      student has a disability and did take AIMS but has been previously retained;

c)      student is an English Language Learner (ELL) or is Limited English Proficient (LEP) and received less than 2 years of English instruction;

d)     student has a reading deficiency and has been previously retained; or

e)      student demonstrated reading proficiency on an SBE approved alternate assessment.

3.      Requires the intervention and remedial strategies developed by the SBE for students who are not promoted to include:

a)      requiring the student be assigned to a different teacher for reading instruction;

b)      summer school reading instruction;

c)      intensive reading instruction in the next academic year occurring before, during, after, (or any combination of the three) the regular school day; or

d)     online reading instruction.

4.      Directs school district governing boards to offer at least one of the intervention and remedial strategies developed by the SBE.

5.      Requires a parent or guardian of a student who is not promoted to choose one of the intervention and remedial strategies for the student.

6.      Requires the SBE to provide for universal screening of students in preschool and kindergarten programs and in grade one through three designed to identify students with reading deficiencies.

Task Force on Reading Assessment

7.      Establishes the 7-member Task Force on Reading Assessment (Task Force) to be appointed by the SBE and specifies its membership.

8.      Directs the Task Force to:

a)      examine the experiences and outcomes of other states who require reading tests to promote third grade students;

b)      develop methodologies, models and other recommendations for an assessment to measure the reading abilities of students in grades one and two;

c)      develop recommendations integrating mid-year promotion; and

d)     submit findings and recommendations in a written report to the SBE, Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate and the Secretary of State by February 15, 2011.

9.      Specifies the recommended reading assessment must rely on the following concepts:

a)      phonics;

b)      phonemic awareness;

c)      reading comprehension;

d)     fluency; and

e)      vocabulary

10.  Permits the Task Force to use the services and expertise of legislative and staff.

11.  Repeals the Task Force on September 15, 2011.

Miscellaneous

12.  Makes technical and conforming changes.

13.  Becomes effective on the general effective date.

House Action

ED                   2/22/10            DPA    9-1-0-0

3^rd Read           3/24/10                        54-0-6-0

Prepared by Senate Research

March 29, 2010

SM/tam

Georgetown University, National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health is holding a two-day Rural Behavioral Health Symposium in Glendale, AZ on September 21-23!  Scholarships will be awarded to parents, youth, relatives, caregivers, supports, and those who are currently receiving behavioral healthcare services. Please note that due to limited available funds, no scholarships will be awarded to Behavioral Healthcare providers or paraprofessionals. 

More information can be found at their website: http://gucchdtacenter.georgetown.edu/Activities/Rural_BH_Symposium_2010.html

Notice of Public Hearing

Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration

Department of Economic Security/Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services

And

The Governor’s Statewide Independent Living Council

The Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA) and the Governor’s Statewide Independent Living Council (AZ SILC) will conduct a statewide Public Hearing via video conference, regarding the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for 2011 – 2013. This hearing is being scheduled to provide the public an opportunity to comment in person about the information contained in the SPIL.  Representatives from AZRSA and AZ SILC will be present to answer questions.  The SPIL is available on the Internet at both the SILC web-site (http://www.azsilc.org) and the AZRSA website (http://www.azdes.gov/rsa/).  To request a written copy of the SPIL, or a copy in an alternate format, e-mail Linda Jane Austen at Linda@azsilc.org or by calling (602) 262-2900.  To request reasonable accommodations to participate in the Public Hearing, contact Beverly Reghabi at BReghabi@azdes.gov or by calling (602) 771-9165.   Requests should be made by July 14, 2010 to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Written comments can also be submitted and must be received by 9:00am, July 28, 2010.   Please send your comments to AZ SILC, 5025 E Washington Street, #214, Phoenix, AZ 85034, by e-mail to Tony DiRienzi at tony@az silc.org, or by fax at 602-271-4100. 

Hearing Schedule and Locations

Date:                                       Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Time:                                       10:00am – 11:30am

Locations:                                AZRSA Video Conference Centers

Addresses:                              515 North 51^st Avenue, Suite 250

Phoenix, Arizona  85043

4710 East 29^th Street, Building 12

Tucson, Arizona  85711

3780 South 4^th Avenue, Suite F

Yuma, Arizona 85364

2323 N Walgreen Street, Suite 104

Flagstaff, Arizona   86004

Navajo Education Center

Navajo Route 12

Agenda:                                   Welcome/Introductions

                                                Overview of the 2011 – 2013 SPIL

                                                Public Comment

                                                Adjournment

Special Education Training on the IEP and the 504 Plan is being provided at the Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona in their Conference Hall at 5025 E. Washington St. in Phoenix on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 9am-12noon or 6pm-9pm.

Do you have questions about how to prepare for an IEP or 504 meeting?

Do you have questions about your role as a parent in the IEP or 504 meeting?

Do you have questions about your child’s IEP or 504 services?

Do you have questions about your rights regarding the IEP or 504 processes?

Well, let’s get some answers!

The Arizona Center for Disability Law will be conducting a training for parents and interested individuals to answer these questions and more.  This free training will provide information on the procedural safeguards set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation.  Highlights of the training will include detailed information on the IEP and 504 plan development, implementation and enforcement.  In addition, the training will provide parents with practical advice and strategies for developing self-advocacy skills.

For more information or to register for the training, please contact the Center, at (602) 274-6287 (voice/TTY) 1-800-927-2260 or e-mail kvanhorne@azdisabilitylaw.org . Please notify the Center as soon as possible if you need any special accommodations or are unable to keep your reservation. The training is subject to cancellation if minimal registration is not achieved; you will be contacted as soon as possible if the training is cancelled.  The training is limited to 50 participants.

For more information about the Center, please visit our website at www.azdisabilitylaw.org

Funding for this training is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Disability Empowerment Center is a fragrance free environment; we encourage you to
refrain from wearing scented products.

 On Saturday, July 24, 2010 the Southwestern Eye Center will be teaming up with the Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation to provide those in financial need with free eye exams and eye glasses. This event will be referred to as “Service AZ Day”.   It will be held at:

Location:        Southwestern Eye Center 1055 South Stapley Drive Mesa, Arizona 85204

Time:               7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Date:                July 24, 2010

The Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation will be handling all of the pre-screening ahead of time.  If you know of someone that falls in this category of financial need and would like to help them out, please refer them to the Lions Foundation at 602-954-1723.

The Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) is presenting a one-day Assistive Technology conference this summer and ADE/ESS is a major sponsor of this exciting professional development event!  The 12^th Assistive Technology Summer Institute will be held at the Glendale Civic Center on Thursday, July 22, 2010. A special, discounted rate is being offered to teachers, therapists and staff who work in the schools.  School personnel can attend a full day of Assistive Technology sessions, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks for only $49.00! The Conference reaches capacity at 200 participants, be sure to sign up while there are still openings available!  Conference and registration may be downloaded at www.aztap.org.

SARRC has been selected to participate in the Central Phoenix Regional Child Care Scholarship Program, administered by First Things First through Valley of the Sun United Way. This program needs typically developing students AND they can serve low income families in need of high quality preschool education.

SARRC has been awarded 10 full-time scholarships for their Community School, an inclusive preschool program for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their typically developing peers (50% students with ASDs, 50% typically developing students). The scholarships may only be used by typically developing students, and SAARC is reaching out to let us know they have both funding and space available for the school year beginning on August 9, 2010.

Eligible families include:

· Students without a diagnosis of ASDs.

· Parent(s) gross annual income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (see attached).

· Parent(s) who are attending training or education, unemployed and actively seeking employment, and/or employed.

· Maximum of 2 scholarship slots may be awarded to one family.

Benefits of the SARRC Community School Preschool:

· Three classrooms: toddler (18 months to 3 years), preschool (3-4 years), and pre-k (4-5 years).

· 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

· Small class size.

· Highly educated and trained staff (most have bachelor’s degrees and are pursuing master’s degrees).

· Flexible scheduling.

· Individualized instruction primarily focused on improving language and play.

· Classrooms designed to maximize child engagement and meaningful learning opportunities.

Interested families should contact Rachel McIntosh, Community School Director, at rmcintosh@autismcenter.org <mailto:rmcintosh@autismcenter.org> or 602-340-8717.

Please see the following from Holly Reycraft in Gilbert.

Dear Parents,

I am very excited to tell you I will be running SOS (Social Opportunity for Success) Groups this summer for Kids with High functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD and Anxiety Disorders.  The groups will be offered for kids age 7-16 and will be grouped accordingly.  I will start the second week of June and will run till July 20 for a total of 6 weeks ( one week off during June 22, while I will be out of town).

I run the social groups in my home in Gilbert (Lindsay & Williamsfield).  For those who may not know me, I worked in the school system for 9 years as a special education teacher, department chair, and guidance counselor.  I facilitated groups at a local junior high and loved it.  I also have a 12 year old son who has very high functioning autism and participates in group.  He is one of the reasons I decided to facilitate social groups, based on the day to day struggles he has been experiencing with his peers.

The curriculum I use is based on the work of Michelle Garcia-Winner and is designed for kids who are high functioning and have language skills, but struggle with socialization.  I have found her social thinking theory to be very effective with my son, Hunter.  You can check out her website to get a feel for her.

www.socialthinking.com

The cost of the group is $25./session and parents may pay weekly.  You do not need to pay if you miss, but try to let me know if you will be absent.  The groups will run about 1 hour, ending 5 minutes early in order to transition.  Parents may drop their child off at my home. 

Attached you will find a registration form.  If you have already completed one, you do not need to send me another one.  Just shoot me an email responding to the following:

Please respond:

1)      Do you prefer Tues class, Thurs class, or both?

2)      Time preference (10:00am-2:00pm)

3)      Fill out registration form (if you have not already) and email, fax, or mail to me.

As I begin to form the groups based on appropriate peers, I cannot guarantee your time request, but I will certainly do my best.  Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.  I look forward to working with your child.

Holly Reycraft

(602) 703-6500