Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Adolescent Literacy Reading Resources

Screening for Reading Problems in Grades 4 through 12

Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy (Second Edition):

15 Elements of Effective Adolescent Literacy Programs (Read Next)

State Superintendent Adolescent Literacy Plan

Wisconsin Read to Lead Report 2012

Achieving Literacy for Life (Wilson Programs)

Wilson Just Words Student Identification and Placement Guidelines (TOSWRF and WIST)

Supporting Struggling Adolescent Readers (DPI webinar)

Standards for Middle and High School Literacy Coaches

Reading Assistant (Fluency) - Recommended Number of Sessions and Minutes per Grades
http://www.readingassistant.com/faqs/

National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/nrp/Documents/report.pdf

Read 180 Placement Decisions:
Lower 25th percentile or students with stanines of 1, 2, or 3

Thursday, February 20, 2014

CCSS and Special Populations

CCSS and Special Populations
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) team recently established a webpage that provides an entry point into the intersections of CCSS and “special populations” (i.e., special education, gifted/talented, early learners and English Language Learners). Please see: http://commoncore.dpi.wi.gov/common-core-state-standards-and-special-populations

The Creation of the Teacher

THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER
The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."
"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"
TEACHER:
…must stand above all students, yet be on their level
... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught
... must run on coffee, coke and leftovers,
... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time
... must have more time for others than for herself/himself
... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents
... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive
... must have 6 pair of hands.
"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible"
"Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"
The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"
The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you",
without so much as saying a word to the child."
"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think
you should work on it tomorrow".
"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."
The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating.
"It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.
"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".
"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.
"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger
over the teacher's cheek.
"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model.
You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek.
It shone and glistened in the light.
"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."
"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"
The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students
and get ready to welcome a new class."
"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

Author Unknown
                       

Taylor County Human Services - Services and Programs

Attached is the website link and information from Taylor County Human Services and the services they offer. You are welcome to forward this information to any of our families who could benefit: 

Taylor County Human Services
Amber Fallos, Director
Location & Mailing Address:
540 E College Ave.
Medford, WI  54451
Phone:  715 . 748 . 3332
Fax:  715 . 748 . 3342
Hours:  M – F  8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Evenings by appointment.
How to Access Services
In you are interested in receiving services for yourslef or someone else, contact an agency intake worker in person by telephone at 715 . 748 . 3332.  The intake worker will answer your questions and refer you to the appropriate services.
Fees
All Taylor County residents are eligible for services provided by the Taylor County Human Services Department.
Many case management and support services are available at no cost. Other fee chargeable services may be billed to your insurance company. A reduced fee based on your ability to pay may also be available.
24 Hour Crisis Intervention
For after hours crisis service, contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department at 715.748.2200. The Sheriff’s Department will arrange for a Human Services staff member to assist with the crisis.
Services
The Taylor County Human Services Department promotes and encourages the well-being, safety, independence and self-sufficiency of all Taylor County individuals and families through the provision of supportive services. As a public agency and department within county government, the Taylor County Human Services Department operates under a Human Services Board which is appointed by the Taylor County Board of Supervisors. Administrative oversight is also provided by a number of state departments. Agency funding comes from a variety of sources including federal, state, and county revenue as well as client fees.  As a public agency and department within county government, the Taylor County Human Services Department operates under a Human Services Board which is appointed by the Taylor County Board of Supervisors. Administrative oversight is also provided by a number of state departments.  Agency funding comes from a variety of sources including federal, state, and county revenue as well as client fees.  The following units offer a variety of needed services:
Mental Health Services
Taylor County Human Services provides a fully certified outpatient Mental Health Clinic including licensed mental health therapists, a psychologist and psychiatrist.  All residents of Taylor County may access confidential services which may be billed to insurance or provided on a sliding fee / ability to pay scale.  Taylor County Human Services Mental Health Clinic is a preferred provider for many insurances and accepts Medicaid / Badgercare+ insurance plans.  Please call our intake ofice 715 . 748 . 3332 with any questions or to set up an appointment,
Mental Health Services include:
  • Individual, Marital and Family Counseling
  • Psychological Evaluations
  • Psychiatric Consultations
  • Community Support Program for Mentall Ill
  • Court-Ordered Commitment Services
  • Residential Placement Services
  • Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalizations
  • Sheltered Employment
AODA Services
Taylor County Human Services provides a fully certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AODA) outpatient clinic including certified AODA counselors and an Intoxicated Driver Program Assessor. All residents of Taylor County may access confidential services which may be billed to insurance or provided on a sliding fee / ability to pay scale.  Taylor County Human Services Mental Health Clinic is a preferred provider for many insurances and accepts Medicaid / Badgercare+ insurance plans. Please call our intake office at 715 . 748 . 3332 with any questions or to set up an appointment.
AODA Services include:
  • Substance Abuse Voluntary or Court Ordered Assessments
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Intoxicated Driver Program
  • AODA Group Counseling
  • Prevention / Intervention Services
  • Inpatient AODA Treatment
  • Transitional Living
NOTE:  Pregnant Women shall recieve treatment for substance abuse on a priority basis.
Economic Support Unit
  • Income Maintenance - Link to access information on Medicaid services such as FoodShare, BadgerCare and Healthy Start.
  • General Relief
  • Wisconsin Heating Energy Assistance Program
  • Wisconsin Shares (child care funding)
Development Disabilities Unit
Long-Term Support / Agency Intake Unit
Children and Family Service Unit
  • Juvenile Court Suspension
  • Childrens’ Court Services
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Asessments
  • Foster Home Licensing
  • Kinship Care Program
  • Parent Education and Support Services
  • Child Care Profider Certification
  • Out-of-Home Care Placements Services

Monday, February 17, 2014

Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services Resources

Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services Resources:

Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services website: https://sites.google.com/a/medford.k12.wi.us/specialed/

Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MAPSDSPEDSTUDENTSERVICES

Joseph Greget's Special Education and Student Services Blog: http://jgreget.blogspot.com/

Medford Area Public School District Special Education and Student Services twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Joseph_Greget


Please contact me with any questions or need for more information about our Special Education/Student Services programs here in the Medford Area Public School District: 715-748-2316 ext 324


Thanks,

Joseph A. Greget
Director of Student Services/Special Education