eNotes
April 7, 2017In this Issue:
- Equity in IDEA Guidance Released Source: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services - March 31, 2017
- Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion - New Policy Report Source: Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes - March 2017
- U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - Update Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - April 4, 2017
- Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness - Updated Reviews Source: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation - April 6, 2017
- Working Toward a Definition of Infant/Toddler Curricula Source: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation - April 6, 2017
1. Equity in IDEA Guidance Released
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has released Significant Disproportionality (Equity in IDEA) Essential Questions and Answers (March 2017), which provides guidance on the Equity in IDEA Final Regulation released in December 2016. OSERS has also released a Model State Timeline (March 2017) outlining different streams of work and the timelines that states should consider as they implement the new rule.
2. Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion - New Policy Report
A new policy report from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) provides resources to inform early childhood stakeholders at the state and local level interested in developing policy and guidance for programs to prevent and reduce suspension and expulsion. Information and Resources to Assist States in Developing Policy on Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion (March 2017) includes a brief review of the research on the impact and prevalence of suspension and expulsion in early childhood programs, highlights of key federal and national policy on suspension and expulsion in early childhood programs, an overview of emerging state policy, a description of effective approaches to prevent suspension and expulsion of young children, and considerations for states in developing policy in this area.
3. U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - Update
Vital Signs: Update on Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects and Evaluation of All U.S. Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure - U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry, 2016 (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 66, Early Release - April 4, 2017) - This new report finds that in 2016 a total of 1,297 pregnancies with possible recent Zika virus infection were reported to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry from 44 states. Approximately one in 10 pregnancies with Zika virus infection resulted in associated birth defects. Birth defects were highest among first trimester Zika virus infections - approximately 15 percent. Early identification can help to ensure that appropriate intervention and follow-up care are available to affected infants.
4. Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness - Updated Reviews
The Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) project was launched in Fall 2009 to conduct thorough and transparent reviews of the home visiting research literature and to assess the evidence of effectiveness for home visiting program models that serve families with pregnant women and children from birth to age 5. HomVEE recently released updated evidence reviews on the following two models:
- Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) Intervention (updated April 2017)
- Healthy Families America (updated April 2017)
The HomVEE project has currently identified 18 models that meet the the Department of Health and Human Services' criteria for evidence of effectiveness.
5. Working Toward a Definition of Infant/Toddler Curricula
A new brief explores the meaning of the word "curriculum" when applied to working with infants and toddlers. Working Toward a Definition of Infant/Toddler Curricula: Intentionally Furthering the Development of Individual Children within Responsive Relationships (OPRE Report #2017-15) focuses on how programs can incorporate and use the concepts of a curriculum in a way that is developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers. The brief was developed by the Network of Infant/Toddler Researchers and the Quality Initiatives Research and Evaluation Consortium.