Service Center Journal, Volume 29, Number 2, March 1996 Page: 3
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Denton ISD Historical Archives and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Denton Independent School District.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Essential Factol
Restructuring
The National Center on Educational
Restructuring and Inclusion (NCERI), the
Graduate School and University Center,
City University of New York, concluded a
national survey to identify inclusive edu-
cation programs. Survey results indicate
the following 6 factors to be necessary for
successful restructuring and inclusion:
1. Visionary Leadership
Leaders have a positive view about the
value of education for students with dis-
abilities. They also have an optimistic
view of the ability of teachers and schools
to change and meet the needs of all stu-
dents. Strategies evolve and everyone
benefits from inclusive education.
2. Collaboration
"Reports indicate that no one teacher
can, or ought to, be expected to have all
the expertise required to meet the educa-
tional needs of all the students in the class-
room. Individual teachers must have
available to them the support systems that
provide collaborative assistance and en-
able them to engage in cooperative prob-
lem solving. Planning teams, scheduling
of time for teachers to work together, rec-
ognition of teachers as front-line research-
ers - all of these are tools necessary for
collaboration."
3. Refocused Use of Assessment
In the past, assessment has been used
to justify placements. Inclusive schools are
moving toward "authentic assessment"
designs, including the use of alternative
measures of performance and student port-
folios. Assessment is used to better un-
derstand the needs of the student rather
than as a marker for teacher success of
performance with one campus or district
against another.
TAAS Writing Update
In January 1996, districts received cop-
ies of the Revised Fall 1995 TAAS English
Language Arts Writing Objectives and
Measurement Specifications Booklets for
Grades 4 and 8. Commissioner Mike Moses
outlined the following changes:
Grade 4: Beginning with the spring
1996 TAAS writing test, informative/de-
scriptive writing, or description, will no
longer be eligible for assessment as its own
unique kind of writing. Fourth grade stu-
dents will be eligible for the following types
of writing: how to, classificatory, narrative
and persuasive.
Grade 8: No Changes.
Grade 10: Writing Objectives and Mea-
surement Booklets were sent from TEA in
spring of 1994. These booklets are the ones
currently in effect.rs for Successful
and Inclusion
4. Support for Staff and Students
Systematic staff development and flex-
ible planning for special education and
general education teachers to meet and
work together are essential. Parent in-
volvement is vital. Districts use teacher
assistants, curriculum adaptations, inte-
grated related services, "Circle of Friends"
and computer-assisted instruction.
5. Funding
"The federally funded Center for Special
Education Finance confirms earlier re-
search that the particular funding formula
used by states has consequences for stu-
dent placement and inclusion. In most
states, the funding formulas used to sup-
port special education encourage separate
programs."
6. Effective Parent Involvement
Parents participate through family sup-
port services and educational programs
which treat them as co-learners with their
children.
For additional information or assistance,
contact Barbara Williams, (817) 740-3619.Region XI Secondary
The first Region XI Middle School/High
School Network conference, "Linking To-
gether for Success" was just that, a tre-
mendous success! Middle and high school
teachers and administrators met together
on January 27th at Marcus High School
for a day of staff development. Topics
ranged from sharing specific subject area
strategies to developing management and
organizational skills. School Vision of
Texas also provided technology sessions
which included methods for using the
Internet in the classroom.
Teachers commented that this confer-
ence truly addressed their classroomPeer Mediation
Training
Another opportunity to train a peer
mediation team is available to Region XI
schools. Training is scheduled for April 15
and 16. During the two days of training,
participants learn to implement peer
mediation programs on their campuses.
Schools report reduced discipline referrals
by using conflict resolution through peer
mediation. Student mediators work in
teams to help other students solve problems
without fighting. This procedure does not
take the place of the regular discipline
management policy, but reduces the
number of referrals to the counselor or
principal. Teachers, counselors, and
administrators are trained to go back to
their campuses and implement the program
by informing the staff, selecting the
students, and doing the student training.
The certified peer mediation trainers are
Dr. Joe Starnes, James Scott, Dr. John Hill
and Melba Hartley. For registration
information, contact Jemme Chance (817)
740-3659.Teachers Showcased
needs. Many teachers felt that the ses-
sions were too short, however. Once
teacher commented, "I hated to leave and
go to another session because the informa-
tion was great!"
The middle school and high school men-
tor networks are planning to sponsor an-
other conference for administrators and
teachers on March 31 and April 1. Your
school will be receiving detailed informa-
tion and registration forms soon.
If your school is not a member of the
Region XI Middle School/High School Net-
work, call Dr. Charlotte Risinger or Ann
Hoover (817) 740-3619.TEACHIIERS met during the Linking Together for Success conference held at Marcus High.
-
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Education Service Center, Region XI (Tex.). Service Center Journal, Volume 29, Number 2, March 1996, periodical, March 1996; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth257144/m1/3/: accessed June 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Denton Independent School District.