Special Education Archives - Page 3 of 29

Category: Special Education

Women’s History Month spotlight: Myung-Sook Koh, professor of special education

March 27, 2023

Eastern Michigan University is proud of the countless women making their imprint in history. In this feature, Eastern recognizes Myung-Sook Koh, professor of special education and program coordinator for paraeducators to special educators. Koh discusses her career background, inspiration behind her work, and how she maintains a work-life balance.

YPSILANTI — Women’s History Month reminds Myung-Sook Koh, professor of special education and program coordinator for paraeducators to special educators at Eastern Michigan University, that more has to be done to protect women’s rights.

The road to success was challenging for Koh and often lacked hope. Born in a rural and poverty-stricken area of South Korea, she remembers what it was like to eat just one meal a day in childhood, and to see women shackled to their roles in society due to limited education and the heavy responsibility of child-rearing. By observing how helpless the women in her

Virginia Special Education to be Watched by Federal Government

March 25, 2023

The federal Department of Education has “significant new or continued areas of concern” that is prompting the additional monitoring.

By
Rick Massimo March 22, 2023

Nearly three years after the U.S. Department of Education said it would monitor Virginia public schools over concerns about special education, it informed state officials that oversight will continue — and that it’s added new concerns to the list.

The federal department’s Office of Special Education Programs told Jillian Balow, at the time the commonwealth’s superintendent of public instruction, in a letter dated February 17 that while Virginia had addressed some issues detailed in the June 2020 federal report, other concerns remained.

After “review of the submitted documentation, continued contacts from Virginia parents and advocates, and other sources of information,” the department has “significant new or continued areas of concern,” the letter said.

The letter was made public by the group Special Education Action.

Valerie

View from an Oregon special education administrator: Mental health, behavior, staffing among biggest challenges

March 23, 2023

This is another story in OPB’s series on the state of special education. You can read the first story here, the second story here, and the most recent story here.

OPB’s series on the state of special education has featured students, parents, and staff members across the Portland area. The series has found that some students with disabilities are missing out on school while staff are stretched thin trying to deal with increased needs.

Education reporter Elizabeth Miller recently spoke with a top staff member at one of Oregon’s largest school districts, Beaverton special education administrator Kelly Raf, about the challenges she sees from the district office.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Kelly Raf: Special education is a field that is always growing and evolving. We’re always responding to the increased needs that we’re seeing in

Opinion: Outlining our steadfast commitment to special education in Howard County

March 22, 2023

By Michael J. Martirano

The writer is superintendent of the Howard County Public School System.

As we mark Disability Awareness Month, it is an optimal time to reaffirm and amplify our commitment to providing exceptional special education services and supports.

There has been much community discussion recently, including media coverage about special education services in Howard County. I am immensely proud of the progress we have made in serving our students receiving special education services and in building a culture and climate of meaningful inclusion in our schools.

It wasn’t always this way, in fact, special education has evolved tremendously in our country over the last 50 years. Children with disabilities were once treated differently than their typically developing peers. Some may have been kept at home; others sent to institutions. Those who attended so-called “regular” schools were routinely taught in classrooms separate from their typically

PA Announces .5 Million in Grants to Attract more Special Education Teachers

PA Announces $1.5 Million in Grants to Attract more Special Education Teachers

March 21, 2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that $1.5 million in grant funding is available to institutions of higher education (IHE) that partner with school districts to expedite the process to become a special education teacher.

“As we work to create a pipeline of high-quality educators in the Commonwealth, it is critical that we create partnerships to support schools and today’s learners,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “This grant funding will enable schools to meet their unique staffing needs and provide more opportunities for flexible, accelerated certification for prospective educators.”

Pennsylvania is facing a major shortage of educators across the state. A decade ago, roughly 20,000 teacher certifications were issued each year, while in 2021 only about 6,000 were issued.

Through the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification, grants are available to colleges and universities with approved PK-12 special education certification programs to partner with