eNotes
May 12, 2022Updates from the ECTA Center
Making Sound Preschool LRE Decisions
The Making Sound Preschool LRE Decisions guidance document lists important actions in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process that should inform placement decisions for young children with disabilities. Organized by important actions within the IEP process. It includes reference to the corresponding IDEA rules and regulations to each action. A guiding principle is listed within each action, followed by additional guidance and resources. Most of the principles in this document are from ECTA Center's Key Principles and Key Practices Underlying the IEP Process.
Ideally, states and local programs will adapt this document by adding their own strategies, resources, and guidance to support sound placement decisions. It does not represent all requirements of IEP development, but focuses on the key actions for ensuring that a sound IEP placement decision is made.
Preschool LRE Reference Points and Discussion Prompts
Preschool LRE Reference Points and Discussion Prompts provides a summary of the LRE provisions of the IDEA for preschool aged children with disabilities as a quick reference guide and training tool. Each provision within the document is focuses on Reference Points and Discussion Prompts.
Reference Points are drawn from IDEA regulations, comments in the Federal Register, and guidance and clarification provided in letters from the U.S. Department of Education and other agencies.
State and local teams can use the Discussion Prompts to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities by appropriately applying LRE provisions and placement decisions for individual children.
Targeted TA Leadership Series 2 (Spring - Fall 2022)
The first recording of the virtual Targeted TA Leadership Series 2 for Part C and 619 coordinators and other state agency staff is available. Session 1: Leading from the Middle, has two parts, which allow participants to learn about using their leadership position to strategically communicate, influence, and empower and encourage others. Part 1: Maximizing Influence through Collaboration and Communication, features a panel of state leaders who discuss their experiences, and offer examples of opportunities and the important skills needed to lead from the middle of an organization. Part 2: Application in your Daily Work, explores practical strategies using scenario-based activities.
Series 1 addressed building teams and networks and tailoring solutions: Communication and Relationship Building; Pursuing Equity in Funding and Access to Services; and Building on Team Capacity and Planning for Leadership Transition. Designed to build on individual leadership knowledge and skills, the series is guided by coordinator responsibilities and interests.
National-State Family Data State Approaches Graph Creator
The National-State Family Data State Approaches Graph Creator allows states to create graphs based on comparative family outcomes data for use in presentations and reports. States can compare their C4 family outcomes data to national data in the three sub-indicator areas, and compare their data to states that use the same survey and scoring approach for the following:
- the FOS with recommended scoring;
- the FOS-Revised with recommended scoring; and
- the NCSEAM with Rasch scoring.
States that use other surveys or scoring can graph their data using national data. The tool was developed by ECTA and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy).
News from the Field
Culturally Responsive Practice as a Strategy for Diversifying the Educator Workforce
Culturally Responsive Practice as a Strategy for Diversifying the Educator Workforce, a resource from the Comprehensive Center Network (CCN) shows the importance of having racially diverse educators. A panel discussion at a town hall event focused on the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy, practices, and culture in recruiting, preparing, retaining, and supporting a racially diverse educator workforce. Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, renowned researcher and educator, moderated the panel of youth of color.
Education Across America: Cities, Suburbs, Towns, and Rural Areas
Interested in the state of education in the U.S.? Check out the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website on Education Across America: Cities, Suburbs, Towns, and Rural Areas. It focuses on data from these geographic locales and includes tabulations, indicators and summary reports using a three-phase approach. Phase I involves the consolidation of locale-focused data across NCES surveys and programs. Phases II and III focus on rural areas and summarizes the findings. The result is 140 tables with data disaggregated by all four locales. These tables cover a wide range of topics grouped into broad themes: family characteristics, educational experiences, school resources and staffing, and educational outcomes.