eNotes
July 8, 2020Updates from the ECTA Center
Remote Service Delivery and Distance Learning Videos for Preschoolers
Two videos illustrate how preschool teachers and specialists at two separate schools delivered remote learning services for their classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. They provide asynchronous and synchronous activities, deliver individualized services, and support children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Handy guides outline each video's contents with time codes to help viewers find the most useful sections.
- Preschool Remote Learning During the Pandemic at Tarver Elementary
- An Inclusive Preschool During the Pandemic: Remote Learning at Big Walnut Elementary School
Re-Imagining Inclusion: High-Quality Inclusion for Young Children with Disabilities When Our World is Turned Upside Down
This recent webinar explores the continued importance of inclusion for young children with disabilities. Multiple opportunities for building, sustaining and growing high-quality inclusion are highlighted as well as lessons learned about successful family partnerships with service providers while receiving virtual services. For each opportunity discussed, state administrators and partners highlight strategies to support inclusion and enriched social interactions at home and in the community.
News from the Field
OSEP Webinar: Highlighting Strategies and Practices in Providing Related Services to Enhance the Continuity of Learning During COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities
This second in the series showcases ready-to-use resources, tools, and practices from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) partners that support the educational, developmental, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities through remote and distance learning. It focuses on the provision of related services and includes representatives from several of OSEP's related service national organizations. Laurie VanderPloeg, Director of OSEP, facilitates the discussion and participants had the opportunity to ask questions of OSEP staff and event speakers.
OSEP-Issued Questions and Answers
Several question and answer documents have been issued by OSEP in response to questions from the field. The documents cover Part C dispute resolution procedures, Part C initial evaluation and assessment timeline, procedural safeguards during COVID-19, and Parts B and C use of funds and flexibility in the implementation of IDEA fiscal requirements.
- IDEA Part C Dispute Resolution Procedures
- IDEA Part C Initial Evaluation And Assessment Timeline
- Procedural Safeguards in the COVID-19 Environment:
- Implementation of IDEA Use Of Funds:
Re-Opening Resources on Masks and Social Distancing from NCPMI
- Wearing Masks: These scripted stories, with their colorful and fun photographs of children and families, help explain to children the how, why, and when of wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also available in Spanish.
- Helping Children Understand Emotions When Wearing Masks: These tips and ideas help children identify emotions when faces, our most expressive feature, are covered by a mask. Parents and practitioners can use these strategies to let children know that behind the mask, a kind and warm expression is still there.
- Greetings While Social Distancing: This colorful greeting board uses expressive photos of children to demonstrate ways to greet each other while maintaining social distancing. In English and Spanish, the examples included are air hug, elbow bump and thumbs up.
The NIEER Yearbook: The State of Preschool
This annual report provides state-by-state information on child enrollment, human and financial resources, and quality standards. Policymakers can use the information to provide valuable information for planning short- and long-term responses to the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The report concludes with five policy recommendations to mitigate damage from COVID-19 and other issues.