- Instructor: TNSTEP
- Students: 1
Tennessee State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) and TNSTEP have partnered to develop a new webinar series on increasing access to core instruction and inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities.
A major area of emphasis of the State Personnel Development Grant is the work being done with general education teachers using various techniques and tools to effectively reach ALL learners. Today’s classrooms are more inclusive and diverse than ever. Information from this webinar series will enhance teachers’ skills to be responsive to the learning styles and needs of students with and without disabilities in the classroom and provide parents with practical tools to use to give effective input to teachers that will help their children be successful.
Great information for parents, family members, teachers, and staff.
Learning Objectives for this webinar:
- Parents will understand the purpose of accommodations, the difference between an accommodation and a modification, and how to determine the most appropriate accommodations when planning for a child’s day.
- Understand how to use the information as a tool to support instructional practices and effectively communicate with teachers and administrators about their child’s education.
Presenters:
Lori Nixon-Morris | Director of Assessment Design | TN Department of Education Special
Populations
Lori is the Director of Assessment Design for Special Populations with the Tennessee Department of Education. She is a former Special Education Supervisor and has experience as a special education teacher in both private and residential settings in Tennessee. Lori has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus on Autism and Emotional Disturbance from Auburn University and an Administrative Endorsement from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Beth Smith | Director of East TN Services | TNSTEP
Beth joined the TNSTEP team to have more opportunities to assist parents of children with disabilities. She desires to ensure parents have access to the information and support they need to navigate the complex special education maze and communicate effectively with school personnel, equipping them to be the best possible advocate for their child. A parent advocate herself, Beth has a daughter with Asperger’s Syndrome, and she knows how overwhelming the laws and system can be. Beth was raised in Dallas, Texas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas. A lifelong business person and manager, she made a dramatic change in joining TNSTEP and feels rewarded by the decision. Having moved to Tennessee in 1997, she shows her true volunteer spirit by donating her time and abilities to several organizations on local and state levels.
This webinar series is a collaborative project of the TN Department of Education State Personnel Grant (SPDG) and their family partner TNSTEP.
Archived webinar: Lunchtime Leaders: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners
Handouts and Resources:
Additional Information on the topic:
Tennessee students speak more than 140 languages, and it is the responsibility of the educational system to ensure all of these students are appropriately supported in their English language development and in their progress toward mastering the academic standards for each grade level and content area.
- English Learners, TN Dept. of Education
- English Learner Tool Kit, Office of English Language Acquisition, U.S. Dept. of Education (OELA)
- Newcomer Tool Kit, Office of English Language Acquisition, U.S. Dept. of Education (OELA)
- Teaching Literacy in Tennessee: English Learner Companion, TN Dept. of Education
- Can Do Descriptors, World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Client Services Center
- Determining Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, TN Dept. of Education
- Parent Guide to TNReady Supports for Students with Disabilities, TN Dept. of Education
- Accessibility Guide: How to Select, Administer, and Evaluate Use of Accessibility Supports for Instruction and Assessment of All Students, TN Dept. of Education
- School Accommodation and Modification Ideas for Students Who Receive Special Education Services, PACER Center English Español
- Test Accommodations, TN Dept. of Education
TNSTEP Lunchtime Leaders Webinar Recorded: 09/05/2017