If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.  

~Ignacio Estrada

 

This issue of the Buzz spotlights resources on two topics of high priority to Parent Centers, families, schools, and students themselves:

  • supporting student learning and performance by providing accommodations in the classroom and during state assessments; and
  • promoting school safety by ensuring that school resource officers (SROs) in our schools are appropriately trained and clear about their roles and the limits of their authority.

Our best to you all,

The CPIR Team | Debra, Debi, Lisa, Jessica, and Myriam

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Accommodations in the Classroom and in State Assessments

Accommodations for students with disabilities in the classroom and on assessments are often key to their learning and their ability to demonstrate that learning. Here are two sets of online training modules and other resources that your staff can use to learn more, as well as share with local schools and the families they serve.

IRIS Center | Accommodations: Instructional and Testing Supports for Students with Disabilities
The IRIS Center has just updated and expanded its popular online training module on the topic.

NCEO | Training to Improve Accommodations Decision Making
The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) also provides online training to help educators and others improve accommodations decision making. The training includes case-based video clips and contains 5 interactive, multi-media professional development modules.

What Are Your State’s Policies?
While state policies for permissible classroom and testing accommodations can usually be found on the state education department’s website, try visiting NCEO for this information. There, you can also find state-specific data on other issues (e.g., alternate assessments, graduation requirements) and data snapshots describing the accommodations that students with disabilities are receiving during assessments and how students are performing.

GreatSchools Test Guide for Parents
Do your families find state tests — and their child’s score reports — confusing? Share this guide with families to help them understand the skills their child is expected to know, why some students struggle, and how parents (and others) can help.

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Photo of a smiling police officer

School Safety and School Resource Officers

9 Things to Know about School Resource Officers | Video
School resource officers juggle numerous roles: enforcing laws, mentoring students, and providing security to schools. But little is known about this unique law enforcement profession. An Education Week Research Center survey provides new insights into SRO training and duties via this 2-minute video.

CPIR’s Brief on School Resource Officers
For more detailed information about SROs, check out CPIR’s Brief for Parent Centers on School Resource Officers. As part of 2019 updating, we’ve just added several newly available SRO resources to the online version.

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The CPIR hopes that you’ve found useful and relevant resources listed in this month’s Buzz from the Hub. Please feel free to write to the editor, Lisa Küpper, at lkupper@fhi360.org to suggest the types of resources you’d like to see in the future. CPIR is listening! Your input is extremely valuable to helping us to craft newsletters that support your work with families.

Debra, Debi, Myriam, Jessica, and Lisa
The CPIR Team

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Publication of this eNewsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R130014 between OSEP and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.