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Description: Family News: What is Science-Based Reading Research? Science-based reading instruction is based on research from many different fields: Education, Psychology, Cognitive Science, and Linguistics. Research identies important content and teaching methods. Science-based reading research leads to science-based reading instruction. Video: Science-Based Reading Research and the Virginia Literacy Act - What Families Need to Know Family Resources How Can My Child Listen to Books at Home? How Can My...
Description: The Virginia Family’s Guide to Special Education is a revision of the former A Parent’s Guide to Special Education that was originally published in 2010. This new state guide was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers or school administrators, advocates, or students. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities which include the...
Description: A resource dedicated to helping parents and families help to support your children's reading development. CBM stands for Curriculum-Based Measure. CBMs are short timed tests that measure important early reading skills and are designed to help parents and educators understand their children's risk for developing reading difficulties in the future.
Description: Getting and staying organized is tough for many kids. Learn why kids might struggle with organization skills. Plus, get tips to help them learn how to keep track of things, manage time, and more. Understanding why kids stuggle with organization How to teach your grade-schooler organization skills 7 color-coding tips to get your child organized
Description: Hanover reviews definitions and key components of digital citizenship, and provides guidelines on how to teach and promote students’ digital citizenship skills. In addition, this research brief provides guidelines on the effective use of technology in and outside the classroom.
Description: This includes contact information for the School Liason(s) for Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard personnel.
Description: The Virginia Department of Education's Family Engagement Network (FEN) is a group of professionals from local school divisions, university training and technical assistance centers, state agencies, and other organizations whose purpose is to foster family involvement and engagement in education, especially for children with disabilities. The FEN has created four new resources for military-connected families of students with disabilities. These three one-pager resources, as well...
Description: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) report mental distress almost five times more often than adults without disabilities. Despite the prevalence, little is known about the best approaches for supporting the needs of people with IDD and co-occurring mental health challenges. In the stories shared in this issue of Kindred Stories of Disability, we see consistent themes. Tennesseans with co-occurring disabilities and mental health concerns face: Increased stigma due to...
Description: School Success Kit for Kids With Executive Functioning Issues - For kids with executive functioning issues, challenges with school can range from staying on top of homework to finding their shoes in the morning. This article provides some tools to help kids who struggle to stay organized and focused. How to Help Your Child Get Motivated in School - Start by showing kids that you care about their schoolwork. Check in with them about how classes are going. Let them know that you’re there if...
Description: Back-to-school can be both exciting and stressful for families with kids who learn and think differently. Learn how to make morning routines less hectic. 8 Ways to Make School Morning Routines Easier Start the night before. Give yourself time in the morning. Make wake-ups more relaxing Follow a routine. Steps 5-8 can be found in the article. Printable Back-to-School Downloads Download: Back-to-school introduction letters Download: School contact lists Download: Backpack checklist Download;...
Description: These three articles share things that families can do to help prepare their children for a successful school year.
Description: Learning to Drive with Neurodevelopmental Differences - Experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP )recommend that families answer the following questions before their adolescent or young adult with neurodevelopmental differences begins the learning-to-drive process: Do you feel your child consistently demonstrates good judgment and maturity at school, around peers, and at home? Is your child receptive to constructive criticism and instruction? Does your child...
Description: A Family's Guide to Building Family-Teacher Communication and Relationships - Positive parent-teacher relationships matter. They don’t come by chance, but by intention from all parties. This guide offers practical advice on: Cultivating Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships Supporting the Classroom Learning Culture Having Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences
Description: Partnering with Your School - As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. When your child enters school, you and the school become partners in what you both envision will be the successful development and education of your child. Years of research show that the more families are actively involved in the education of their children, the more successful the child will be in school and in life. This article contains tips for creating a positive and productive...
Description: Search for Virginia Post-Adoption Support - Adoption is a pathway to a permanent, safe and loving family for many children. As an adoptive family, there may be times when you experience highs and lows and could use a helping hand. There are five regional post-adoption consortiums operating in Virginia. If you're not sure what region you live in, that's okay - each consortium can direct you to the right agency. All regional consortiums offer the same services, regardless of where you...
Description: What to Do if You're Worried About Suicide - If you think your child might be feeling suicidal, talk with them about it. Sometimes people are afraid that if they bring it up, it will make the child more likely to attempt suicide, but that’s not true. Showing your child that they have someone safe to talk to makes them feel understood. What You'll Learn (in this article): Does talking about suicide make a child more likely to attempt suicide? What should I say to a child who is...
Description: Depression at Different Ages - Depression can affect people of any age, but it can be confusing because it often looks different in children, teens, and adults. Depression is typically characterized by feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day. For kids and teens, however, irritability can replace sadness. What You'll Learn (in this article): How does depression look different in children, teens, and adults? How can parents help their kids deal with depression?
Description: Parent & Caregiver Resources for Virginia Assessments - Engaged parents and caregivers are a critical part of a child’s successful learning experiences. Reading with students and talking about what is being read is important to the development of strong readers. Talking about and doing math within the family is a great way to engage students and encourage success. Some of the many online resources available for reading, mathematics, science, and history and social science are...
Description: Higher Education Leaders Make College Possible for Students with Intellectual Disability - College is possible for students with intellectual disability! A wide range of colleges and universities, including research institutions, teaching colleges and universities, and community and technical colleges, have opened their doors to college students with intellectual disability (ID) by creating inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs. These programs are highly valued as an active...
Description: Project NEXT: A Cognitive Support Technology Randomized Clinical Trial for Postsecondary Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries - Pursuing postsecondary education is a cognitively demanding activity and the decided majority of postsecondary students with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) report difficulties with the academic demands of their studies (Rumrill et al., 2019). A targeted approach like cognitive support technology (CST) is a logical framework for helping students with...
Description: TBI Today is published quarterly by the Virginia Commonwealth University TBI Model System. Features include Model System project updates, profiles of regional provider agencies and faculty, survivor "tips," FAQs, an advice column ("Chat with Pat"), events calendar, and a fun activity (e.g. word game, crossword puzzle, etc.) Our team has worked to make all issues of the TBI Today accessible. If you need additional accommodations to access this information, please contact us at...
Description: In Virginia, if your child is receiving special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you have an important right known as 'Partial Consent.' All school divisions in Virginia are required to accept Partial Consent. Here's how it works: When the school presents the IEP for your child, if you agree with some of the proposed items but have concerns or disagreements about others, you can give 'Partial Consent.' As a parent, you can initial or sign your name next...
Description: Curated in conjunction with Mary Anne Prater, the author or co-author of seven books and dozens of academic journal articles on teaching students with developmental difficulties as well as special and general education topics, this search tool contains information and synopses of children’s and young adult literature about or having to do with people with disabilities. This information includes the name of the author and illustrator, year of publication, publisher, appropriate grade...
Description: Everyone deserves to experience intimate relationships if they would like to. However, parents and educators need to teach individuals with autisms the skills to keep themselves and others safe. These skills can help to reduce the likelihood of behaviors that can lead to negative consequences including social isolation, misinterpretation of social cues, and victimization. We must consider the need for age- and developmentally-appropriate instruction and support to address these skills.
Description: Building relationships with your students and their families is important at the start of any school year. Depending on what school looks like for you and your students this year, it may be more challenging to make those connections. But more than ever, partnering with families can help you support students, both academically and emotionally.
Description: Back-to-school: A 4-week plan for a great start - Is your child heading back to school soon? There’s a lot going on — and a lot to keep track of. Download this one-month planner, which has daily tips to help your child start the new school year right.
Description: Bullying is a widespread epidemic that negatively impacts many students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2019-20, student bullying and cyberbullying were among the most common discipline problems reported by public schools. Fifteen percent of public schools reported that bullying occurred at least once a week. The Virginia General Assembly passed two bills (SB 1072 and HB 1592) that became law on July 1 that address when parents need to be notified about alleged...
Description: AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
Description: This toolkit has been created to help families, and the professionals that support them, understand one of Virginia’s dispute resolution processes: the due process complaint system. This toolkit is not all-inclusive; you can review the VDOE Parents’ Guide for more information or contact the VDOE Office of Dispute Resolution and Administrative Services (ODRAS). There may be legal or other terms in the toolkit you are unfamiliar with. Check out the glossary at the end of this document...
Description: Spotlight Virginians: Student Success Stories invites you to follow along the journey of several young adults with disabilities as they share their stories of successful transition outcomes. Highlighting successful postschool outcomes of young adults with disabilities is a way to raise expectations and showcase what's possible. Whether that's postsecondary education or training, independent living, or employment, each of these students has a unique journey that we all can learn from. Note:...
Description: The Virginia Department of Education’s website houses vital information to support students in the Commonwealth. The dyslexia page shares the VA regulations definition, mandatory training and implementation of the Dyslexia Advisor.
Description: Employment Checklist for Students (Ages 14-22) with Disabilities (PEATC - Getting a job is an exciting experience that takes planning. There are important documents you may need before you can get a job. There are skills you will need to prepare you for employment, and actions that you may need to take to be successful. This checklist can help you prepare for employment. This list does not include every item needed and some of these may not apply to you since your employment goals are...
Description: The Virginia Concussion Initiative (VCI) aims to protect and support all young minds by sharing knowledge, tools, and practical guidance that promotes the tailored implementation of concussion best practices in homes, schools, and communities. VCI Resource Library- Whether you want to learn about reducing concussion risk, helping a child recover from a concussion, or improving your concussion program, VCI has resources to meet your needs. The VCI Resource Library contains resources based...
Description: ‘Model as a MASTER PAL’ was developed to help shape behaviors and belief systems of communication partners supporting individuals who use AAC. It was developed from the premise that 1) AAC implementation is not intuitive, and 2) communication is not compliance. This training series assumes topics related to core vocabulary instruction and explicit creation of communication opportunities have already been covered, and communication partners require additional information to...
Description: All people with a disability of any extent or severity have a basic right to affect, through communication, the conditions of their existence. Beyond this general right, a number of specific communication rights should be ensured in all daily interactions and interventions involving persons who have severe disabilities.
Description: This project began with a desire to identify the vocabulary words that were most important to support the success of beginning communicators participating in the Dynamic Learning Maps® alternate assessments in English language arts and mathematics. Through the years, the list first led to the development of the DLM First 40 and eventually to the Universal Core vocabulary for Project Core. The resulting Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) and Universal Core Vocabulary Sort is a list of words that...
Description: VDOE's Assistive Technology Network has a newly updated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) section of their website. What is AAC? When to consider? Assessment Information Gathering Current Communication Skills Access Direct Selection Indirect Selection Decision Making Trials Develop a Plan Prompting Data Collection Tool Selection and Funding Implementation Planning and Support Training Device Set-up Customization Vocabulary Selection And more!
Description: We all know that communication is a fundamental human right. However, individuals who have difficulty with spoken language will need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports to communicate effectively. The resources below provide foundational knowledge about AAC, selection of AAC supports and vocabulary, and how to be a great communication partner for AAC users. Check out these Professional Learning Possibilities: Mindset Article: Five Signs Your Child Needs Augmentative...
Description: Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) is a statewide, primary source of information and personal support for individuals, families, and professionals whose lives have been impacted by brain injury. Community Resource Directory Looking for a brain injury service or program in your area? Search our database for support groups, therapists, rehabilitation providers, attorneys and more. You can search by keyword, category, and/or address. Self-Paced Online Courses The Brain Injury...
Description: Facilitated Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Handout What is a Facilitated IEP? A voluntary process that may be requested when the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team agrees that the presence of a neutral third party would assist in facilitating communication and problem-solving. Find this additional information on this handout: Who is a Facilitator? What can you expect from a Facilitator? When might you use a Facilitatr? How can a Faciitated IEP be requested?
Description: Explore 10 Day Mindfulness Challenge - Learn evidence-based tools and techniques that will help you stress less, focus more, and feel more calm. In this 10-day mindfulness challenge we will share a variety of practices that promote healthy management of anxiety, present-moment awareness, and overall wellbeing. The goal of this 10-day Challenge is to kickstart a mindfulness practice for those who are new to the idea and to offer new exercises and approaches for all participants, even those with...
Description: Caring for Your Mental Health (available in Spanish) includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness. About Self-Care When to Seek Professional Help What...
Description: Journaling for Well-Being - Journaling can strengthen your well-being because it allows you to build intention, reflection, and mindfulness into your life. It’s fairly easy to start a habit of journaling. You don’t need a lot of time or supplies for journaling, and you can choose from many different forms of journaling to discover a journaling practice that works best for you. Here are the key well-being benefits of journaling and how to get started journaling for well-being.
Description: Schools and families can promote and foster kindness all year. These ideas are simple day-to-day acts of kindness to enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier and more inclusive place to live, work, learn and play. The Kindness Classroom Resources include videos with discussion questions and a kindness book list (elementary).
Description: OSERS released a series of blogs on secondary transition to highlight tools and resources necessary for successful secondary transition experiences.
Description: Less than 1% of school aged students with disabilities are identified with traumatic brain injury. OSEP Fast Facts: Students Identified With Traumatic Brain Injury (March 2023) takes a closer look at data from the data collections authorized under IDEA Section 618, including those collected through child count, educational environments, discipline and exiting data collections with a lens on students identified with traumatic brain injury. Highlights from OSEP Fast Facts: Educational Environments...
Description: Preparing Your Child with a Disability for 3rd Grade SOL Tests: Factsheet for Virginia’s Parents What are Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs)?The SOLs are the standards for achievement for students in grades K-12 in English, math, science, history/social science, technology, fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education. Sometimes you will hear SOLs referred to as the general education curriculum. The SOL curriculum establishes the specific...
Description: Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: A Resource Document Testing/Assessment accommodations provide students with disabilities access to state assessments and away to show their knowledge and skill on academic content. Accommodations are designed to reduce or eliminate the effect of the student’s disability without changing expectations or providing the student with an unfair advantage over her peers with or without disabilities. (1/23) Accommodations...
Description: Building Authentic School-Family Partnerships Through the Lens of Social and Emotional Learning - The SEL Innovations series aims to help the field imagine new, more expansive and equitable approaches to SEL and wellness to ensure that all children, adolescents, and adults feel safe, supported, and seen so that they can thrive. This report focuses on the conditions and guiding actions to foster authentic school-family partnerships.
Description: PYD’s Mentoring Program has served youth with disabilities since 1985. Its goal is to help young people with disabilities meet their full potential for personal development and independence by matching them with a caring adult mentor. Matches work on goals relating to building positive and healthy relationships, community involvement, self-esteem, independent living skills, and educational/career skills. We currently offer a few forms of mentoring: one-to-one mentoring and our virtual...