New York State Regents: Blueprint for Improved Results for Students with Disabilities

At its October 2015 meeting, the Board of Regents discussed critical areas for action and proposed improvement activities aligned with the Blueprint for Improved Results for Students with Disabilities.

In order to implement the Blueprint, the following improvement activities are planned for continuation or initiation during the 2015 -16 school year:

• Promote student engagement in self-advocacy and in determining their own educational goals and plans;
• Ensure parents, and other family members, are engaged as meaningful partners in the special education process and the education of their children;
• Ensure teachers design, provide and assess the effectiveness of specially-designed instruction to provide students with disabilities with access to the general education curriculum and that teachers provide research-based instructional teaching and learning strategies and supports for students with disabilities;
• Ensure schools provide multi-tiered systems of behavioral and academic support;
• Ensure schools provide high quality inclusive programs and activities; and
• Improve transition planning and post-secondary results for students with disabilities.
  To learn more and download related documentation, click here.

Two New WIOA Policy Briefs Now Available: A Look at the Proposed Rules Regarding Title I and Title IV

Today, the LEAD Center published two new Policy Briefs, outlining and summarizing the April 16th Notices of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Title I and Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA):

• Summary Description from a Disability Perspective Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Workforce Development Activities) Notices of Proposed Rulemaking – This policy brief outlines, from the disability perspective, key provisions of two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) pertaining to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), i.e., those provisions in title I of WIOA pertaining to workforce development activities of particular applicability to individuals with disabilities and individuals with a barrier to employment (which by definition includes individuals with disabilities). The summary description is not intended to be comprehensive. Key disability-related policies are underlined.
• Summary Description of Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (State Vocational Rehabilitation Program) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – The purpose of this policy brief is to provide a summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). More specifically, this brief expounds on the implementation of new guidelines as proposed for State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services programs and State Supported Employment Services programs under Title IV of WIOA.

Public comments are due to the agencies, as directed in the individual notices, within 60 days of the April 16th publication date.  Read more: Two New WIOA Policy Briefs Now Available: A Look at the Proposed Rules Regarding Title I and Title IV.

Disability.Blog: Job Search Tips from the Pros

From disability.blog: “When it comes to job hunting, it is often best to consult the professionals. Job and career counselors are certified specialists in their field and know from experience, with their own clientele, what works best and what does not. They also know the nuances of different stages of the job hunt and different industries.

Not everyone can afford a career counselor or has access to free job placement services. Therefore, I asked my job counselors, who helped more than 400 people on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) return to work last year, about their best suggestions for getting a job.

Every one of them began with “Preparation is the key to success!” So take these tips to bring out the best qualities you have to offer an employer!”

To read more job search tips, click here.

Lifelong Learning Skills for College and Career Readiness: An Annotated Bibliography

This annotated bibliography provides guidance and catalogs resources designed to explain what lifelong learning skills are, how they impact and relate to college and career readiness and success outcomes, and how they can be taught and measured in the classroom, across the pre-kindergarten to workforce (PK-20W) spectrum.

via Lifelong Learning Skills for College and Career Readiness: An Annotated Bibliography | College and Career Readiness and Success Center.

Funding Watch: Verizon Innovative App Challenge

From the Verizon Foundation: “The Verizon Innovative App Challenge is an exciting, creative and collaborative competition that offers $20,000 grants for winning middle schools and high schools and Samsung Galaxy Tabs for students on the winning teams. Designed to ignite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math STEM, the Challenge shows students exciting new possibilities for their futures, opening doors they may never have known were there.”

Learn more via About the Challenge | Verizon Innovative App Challenge.