CEC Policy Insider

NCSER Summer Research Training Call

The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, in conjunction with the University of Oregon, announces a Summer Research Training Institute on Single-Case Intervention Research Design and Analysis, to increase the national capacity of education researchers to conduct methodologically rigorous single-case intervention studies. All applications must be received no later than March 15, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Call for Fulbright – Hays Awards

Applications for New Awards: Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program

Abstract: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.022A.

Applications for New Awards: Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program

Abstract: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.021A and 84.021B.

Join us! CEC’s Policy and Advocacy Team Heads to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Annual Convention and Expo!

We hope you will be joining us and thousands of special educators in Indianapolis, Indiana for CEC’s Annual Convention and Expo! CEC’s Convention will provide us all with an opportunity to reflect on special and gifted education and early intervention, and ways we can continue to advance the profession and support better outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and gifts and talents. This year’s convention will offer over 500 sessions, workshops, town halls and more, featuring the most pressing issues in the field, as well as speakers and celebrations you won’t want to miss!

CEC’s Policy and Advocacy team and U.S. Department of Education Officials will bring you the hot policy topics, from budget to high leverage practices, special education research, ESSA implementation, and more! Here is the schedule of events for the week:

 

Wednesday, January 30:

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

What All Educators Must Know About Coming Changes to Special Education and Early Intervention Policy (Pre-Convention Workshop *additional fee*) - Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children and Sharon Walsh, Division for Early Childhood, Room 101, Indiana Convention Center

 

Thursday, January 31:

9:45 - 10:45 AM

OSERS Update – Rethinking Special Education - Johnny Collett, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. and Department of Education and Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, Wabash Ballroom 1, Indiana Convention Center

 

1:00 - 2:00 PM

ESSA and IDEA: Working Together to Improve Outcomes for All Students - Ruth Ryder, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education and Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, Wabash Ballroom 1, Indiana Convention Center

 

2:15 - 3:15 PM

Updates from NCSER: Research and Resources at the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences - Joan McLaughlin, National Center for Special Education, U.S. Department of Education and Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, Wabash Ballroom 1, Indiana Convention Center

 

Friday, February 1:

9:45 AM - 12:00 PM

What's Happening in Washington - Ruth Ryder, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education and Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, Wabash Ballroom 1, Indiana Convention Center

 

Saturday, February 2:

10:30 AM - 11:30 PM

CEC’s Policy on the Prevention of and Response to Maltreatment - CEC Maltreatment Work Group members and Deborah Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, Wabash Ballroom 1, Indiana Convention Center

 

ED Announces Restraint and Seclusion Initiative

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced recently that the U.S. Department of Education will launch an initiative to address the possible inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), in partnership with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), will oversee this proactive approach which will protect students with disabilities by providing technical assistance and support to schools, districts, and state education agencies, and strengthen enforcement activities.

Creating a Diverse and Learner-Ready Teacher Workforce

Research shows that students’ race, ethnicity and cultural background significantly increase their achievement, and that all students benefit from being educated by teachers from a variety of different backgrounds, races and ethnic groups, as this experience better prepares them to succeed in an increasingly diverse society. However, today, more than 40 percent of public schools in the United States have no teachers of color. In response to this need, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released Vision and Guidance for a Diverse and Learner-Ready Teacher Workforce, a paper outlining steps states can take to increase the racial diversity of the teacher workforce and support future and current teachers in effectively teaching students of different cultural backgrounds.

The guidance provides education leaders policy and practical guidance on steps they can take alone and in collaboration with key state stakeholders to improve teacher diversity and cultural responsiveness in their schools. In addition to laying out the vision for students and teachers, the paper offers best policy and practice recommendations states can choose from to attract, prepare, support and retain diverse and learner-ready teachers.

The Council has set a goal that by 2025 at least 15 states will have evidence of increased racial diversity in their teacher workforce and that all teachers demonstrate culturally-responsive practices.