eBrief

All of us at the State Support Team 1 are thankful for the many educators and staff who make the lives of our students their number one priority. This month's newsletter focuses on different strategies and practices you can use in your district, building and/or classroom to enrich the learning process for all students.

The Universal Design for Learning framework (UDL) is proactive pre-planning approach to teaching and learning that gives all students access to a rigorous curriculum. This approach offers flexibility in the way students take in new information, and show what they have learned. The framework also provides multiple means to engage students. Below are three short informational videos from different perspectives around Universal Design and how it benefits all students. For additional information or questions about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) contact SST1 Consultant Nicole Herbert.

Transition planning is a process used to assist students with disabilities to move from school life to adult life. It is a cooperative effort between the school, the student, the family and community agencies. Transition planning begins by the time the student turns 16. A transition plan is the section of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines transition goals and services for the student. The transition plan is based on a student’s individual needs, strengths, skills, and interests. A transition plan identifies opportunities for the student to gain knowledge and skills needed for continuing education, work, and community participation, in preparation for adult life.

Using the Indicator 13 Checklist for Transition Planning

The Ohio Department of Education uses the Indicator 13 Checklist in their monitoring process. The Indicator 13 Checklist provides IEP teams with a tool to review the secondary transition portion (IEP Section 5) of the IEP. Join SST Consultant Aaron Weisbrod, M.Ed. as he trains administrators, teachers and other service providers on the tools, strategies, and resources to ensure compliance in transition planning and writing that may be used when writing all future transition plans. Participants are encouraged to bring a current (redacted) IEP that includes a Transition Plan in order to monitor their current practices and evaluate if and where they can make improvements in their transition writing. To register - click on the date and location of the session.

Date/Location:

January 18, 2023 at Hancock Co ESC, 7746 Co Rd 140, Findlay, OH

February 15, 2023 at ESC of Lake Erie West, 2275 Collingwood, Toledo, OH

March 15, 2023 at Wood Co ESC, 1867 Research Dr., Bowling Green, OH

Time: 8:30 - 3:30 (6 contact hours)

With Attendance Awareness Month, Ohio School Safety Month, and National Bullying Day all winding down we want to remind you that these are issues we need to be aware of and focus on every day, not just one month a year. The greatest gift we as educators can give our kids is to be present and CARE! The State Support Team 1 has several ongoing Networks as well as an informational PD coming up in January focusing on Tier II Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). We are also offering a book study on creating a trauma sensitive classroom. Both of these trainings are virtual so grab your coffee and be ready to learn.

The Ohio Department of Education now has a free Mental Health and Trauma Training Library. The library contains videos from Department-led conferences and webinars to support ongoing education on topics such as Trauma-sensitive Schools, Classroom Strategies for Supporting Students, School Wellness, Safety and more. The library currently highlights sessions from the 2022 Children’s Mental Health and Resiliency Conference led by Ohio’s schools and community partners to showcase best practices and partnerships. The Department will update the page as additional trainings become available. For additional information and resources go to the Departments website.

As schools begin this fall, educators across Ohio are rightly concerned about student attendance and engagement. From 2020-2021 to 2021-2022, the statewide rate of students missing at least 10% of their instructional time due to absences increased by six percentage points to 30.2%. Chronic absenteeism has risen across nearly all grade levels, district types and student subgroups.

To address these concerns, the Ohio Department of Education has developed a new resource. Keeping Ohio Students Present, Engaged and Supported offers multitiered interventions that schools and districts can implement to address and prevent chronic absenteeism. The guidance addresses four key areas: taking a team approach, positive conditions for learning, using a multitiered approach and working with partners.

For more information about supporting student attendance, visit the Department’s Attendance Support webpage.

Please direct questions to the Office of Whole Child Supports at attendance@education.ohio.gov or (614) 387-2202.

Dates: November 19, December 17, 2022, January 21, February 25 and March 18, 2023

Sponsored by the ESC of Lake Erie West and the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, Sibshops sessions are for 8 to 16 year old's who have a sibling with special needs. At Sibshops, they’ll have a chance to meet other kids whose brothers and sisters have special needs and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a disability. Sibshops will have games, cooking and other hands on activities. Gatherings are free and run by a team of people who have a professional and, in some cases, personal understanding of the impact a child's special needs can have on their siblings. The gatherings are from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Alternate Learning Center, 3939 Wrenwood, Toledo, OH. For more information and to register, contact Wendy Smenner, Lucas County Parent Mentor, at wsmenner@esclakeeriewest.org or 419-214-3066.

• Coming Soon - ED STEPS Cohort 3 Upcoming Trainings (Download ED STEPS Newsletter)
  
• 11/1-30 | Consolidated School Report window open
• 11/1 | Register for 2022 OLAC & PBIS Showcase
• 11/10 | Register for the Ohio School Psychologists Association 2022 Fall Conference
• 11/10 | Attend Career Advising Toolkit virtual workshop
• 11/10 | Register for “All Students Can Read” learning series
• 11/15 | Register for OCALICONLINE 2022
• 11/16 | Submit proposals to present at 2023 Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit
• 11/17 | Register for Federal Programs Monthly Topic Session
• 11/18 | Attend Expanding Opportunities for Each Child Grantee Forum
• 11/18 | Apply for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program
• 12/15 | Register for Federal Programs Monthly Topic Session

2275 Collingwood Blvd.,

Suite C

Toledo, OH 43620

419-720-8999 or 800-346-8495 Fax 419-720-8998

There are no copyright restrictions on this document; however, please cite and credit the source when copying all or part of this document. This document was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, (Award #H173A200119, CFDA 84.173A, awarded to the Ohio Department of Education). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.