News
Webinar: "Using Individualized Learning Plans to Increase College & Career Readiness of All Students" 05/16
IEL, which houses NCWD/Youth, is hosting a webinar that will highlight key findings from NCWD/Youth's research on the use of Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) on Monday, May 16th from 1:30-3:00pm ET. An ILP is both a document and a process that a student uses – with support from school counselors, teachers, and parents – to define their career goals and postsecondary plans in order to inform the student's decisions about courses and activities throughout high school. Many states have adopted policies that require all students to use ILPs starting in middle school as a way to personalize learning and increase college and career readiness. With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, NCWD/Youth has conducted longitudinal research to determine whether and how ILPs could be considered as a promising strategy for developing college and career readiness. In addition to sharing research findings, webinar presenters will recommend actions for educational leaders at the state and local levels interested in successful transitions of youth from adolescence to adulthood.
Webinar presenters will include:
- Dr. V. Scott Solberg, Associate Dean of Research, Boston University School of Education
- June Sanford, Connecticut State Department of Education
- Mindy Larson, Senior Program Associate, Center for Workforce Development, Institute for Educational Leadership
Learn more about the ILP Research & Demonstration Project and available resources including the ILP How-to Guide.
Join us for the Danzberger Memorial Lecture - "The Power of Their Ideas" – Reception & Book Signing Monday April, 22
Join IEL for the 13th Annual Danzberger Memorial Lecture presented by Deborah Meier on Monday, April 22nd from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel (999 Ninth St, NW; Washington, DC 20001).
Working under the protection (aka leadership) of a risk-taking district superintendent, Deborah Meier and determined educators established Central Park East in East Harlem as a school inside the NYC public school system. The goal: "to provide at public expense for the least advantaged what the most advantaged bought privately for their children." Most students are from low-income, minority families; nearly all graduate, go on to college, and do well. Meier will reveal the strategies central to the school's success, and discuss how to design schools focused on equity and democracy while establishing an environment of trust. A few words about the recent cheating scandal(s) will highlight contrasting visions of schooling. In addition, she will discuss how to turn Central Park's vision of schooling into a reality and identify the leadership required at all levels.
Coalition for community schools launched the Community Schools Coordinators Network
The Community Schools Coordinators Network is a forum for Community School Coordinators to share ideas and experiences, ask questions and get answers from their peers, as well as have a centralized online location to find resources and tools. Some community schools initiatives have many coordinators to support each other, others may only have a few, either way this network is a place to make connections so that no one has to reinvent the wheel and we can all learn from each other.
The Network members’ are people working in a coordinating position at local community schools. Their role broadly encompasses mobilizing and aligning partners with the work of the school and coordinating opportunities and supports for students, their families and the community. These individuals manage relationships between schools and external community partners including community-based organizations, businesses, health and human service agencies and institutions of higher education, among others.
Website Link: http://coordinators.communityschools.org
NCWD/Youth Releases Policy Brief on Using Individualized Learning Plans to Increase College & Career Readiness
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), housed at IEL's Center for Workforce Development, has released the policy brief, Using Individualized Learning Plans to Produce College and Career Ready High School Graduates, summarizing findings and recommendations from a multi-year individualized learning plans (ILP) research and demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. Individualized learning plans (ILPs) are increasingly used by states and school districts to support youth in becoming college and career ready. An ILP is both a document and a process that students use – with support from school counselors, teachers, and parents – to define their career goals and postsecondary plans in order to inform the student’s decisions about their courses and activities throughout high school. Thirty-five states currently engage middle and/or high school students in ILPs.
The policy brief highlights key findings from the ILP studies, which examined: whether and how ILPs may be considered a promising strategy for developing college and career readiness; and whether and how students with disabilities are participating in ILPs. The policy brief also recommends actions for a diversity of stakeholders including state officials, district/school officials, educators, organizations interested in supporting family engagement in schools, special education administrators and support organizations, national organizations, disability organizations, and Federal officials. Read or download the policy brief online. More information about the ILP Research & Demonstration Project including the ILP Fact Sheet, the ILP How-to Guide, journal articles, and details about the project partners is available at: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/.
Afterschool for America's Children Act Introduced
"Studies have shown that afterschool programs are an enormous net-positive for our children," says Senator Lisa Murkowski, a member of a bipartisan coalition attempting to preserve programs that serve our neediest students. Over the last decade, millions of children have had access to after school programs because of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have introduced legislation that could reauthorize the CCLC program under the name, the Afterschool for America's Children Act. Read more about this important legislation that could potentially fund safe, and enriching afterschool programs for children across the U.S.
IEL Staff Contribute Chapter to New Compendium on Expanded Learning Opportunities
Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success, edited by IEL's Coalition of Community Schools Steering Committee member Terry K. Peterson, Ph.D., is a groundbreaking compendium of studies, reports and commentaries by more than 100 thought leaders including community leaders, elected officials, educators, researchers, advocates and other prominent authors.
Supported by the C.S. Mott Foundation, this powerful collection of nearly 70 articles presents bold and persuasive evidence—as well as examples of effective practices, programs and partnerships—that demonstrate how opportunities after school and during the summer are yielding positive outcomes for authentic student, community and family engagement in learning. The compendium includes a chapter authored by IEL's Martin J. Blank and Reuben Jacobson which demonstrates the powerful connection between afterschool programs and community schools. Read the chapter.
Read Taking Expanded Learning to Scale: California's Road to Success by Coalition Steering Committee member Jennifer Peck.
Webinar 02/13: "Systemic Approaches to Improving Outcomes for Young Men of Color" Featuring Kwesi Rollins
Explore how what we're learning about why some schools make more progress than others is beginning to inform a range of systemic efforts to improve outcomes for young men of color. Through the lens of full-service, community school initiatives we'll look at how a focus on early literacy; connections between early childhood education, transition and alignment in the early grades; family and community engagement linked to learning; good professional development; and school discipline policy reform provide the best context for achieving the results we want. Join S. Kwesi Rollins, Director of Leadership Programs at the Institute for Educational Leadership (home of the Coalition for Community Schools) for this important conversation on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM EST.
To register for this webinar, please go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/957808800
This webinar is sponsored by the National School Boards Association's Council of Urban Boards of Education
Event 02/05: Release of Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Live Webcast, 9-10am
Register Now!
Streamed live from the National Press Club in Washington, DC, this live webcast will unveil a groundbreaking new compendium, Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success.
Edited by Terry K. Peterson, Ph.D., this seminal work features studies, reports and commentaries by more than 100 thought leaders including elected officials, educators, researchers, advocates and other prominent authors.
Join us as we highlight the bold and persuasive evidence from the field that engaging opportunities—drawing from robust partnerships—yield positive outcomes for students and for community and family engagement in learning.
In conjunction with the Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project, this event and publication are made possible by the C.S. Mott Foundation.
Speakers will include:
Mayor Christopher Coleman, City of St. Paul, MN
Gail Connelly, National Association of Elementary School Principals
Delia Pompa, National Council of La Raza
Ayeola Fortune, United Way Worldwide
Deborah Lowe Vandell, University of California, Irvine
Jim Kohlmoos. National Association of State Boards of Education
DC Public Schools Launches RAMP-Based Career Focused Mentoring Program
After consulting with IEL staff and using resources from the IEL's Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) and the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) launched a new career-focused mentoring program for high school students with disabilities. The program, called Competitive Employment Opportunities (CEO), will connect high school students with disabilities to professional mentors who work in a range of competitive occupations. The CEO program will focus on providing students with career exploration, soft skills training, goal-setting support and paid internship opportunities. Approximately 20 students will participate in the program.
"This new program will engage our students with disabilities in a new way, and provide them with opportunities for real on-the-ground job experience. This program also supports our strategic goals by engaging students through interesting opportunities and preparing them for college and career. I'm very excited to see this program in action," says D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray. "The CEO Program is integral to ensuring not only that our students with disabilities get the best education possible, but also that they are prepared to compete in the new economy that is emerging in the District of Columbia. Every child in D.C. deserves the chance to learn the skills they need to enjoy a life of working to support themselves and contributing to their community."
The CEO Program design is based on best practices identified by the IEL's RAMP and NCWD/Youth initiatives. DCPS will gauge the success of the program based on increased student confidence and increased ability for students to display skills such as professionalism, communication, time management, budgeting and problem solving. The success of the program will also be gauged based on higher rates of student employment and students clearly defining postsecondary goals and next steps.
Key resources that DCPS pulled from include RAMP's Individualized Mentoring Plan and NCWD/Youth's Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities.
Read the full DCPS press release.
IEL & AYPF to Host Feb. 15 Capitol Hill Forum on Individualized Learning Plans
The Institute for Educational Leadership's Center for Workforce Development (CWD) is partnering with the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) to host a Capitol Hill Forum on February 15, 2013 at 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. on "The Use of Individualized Learning Plans to Help Students to be College and Career Ready." Those interested in attending are invited to register for this free event online.
Preparing for college and careers requires far more than rigorous academic content. College and career exploration and planning activities can play a beneficial role in personalizing learning, engaging students, and preparing them for life beyond school. This event will highlight findings from the IEL CWD's research on the use of Individualized Learning Plans (ILP), which provide middle school and high school students with a tool to define their personal interests, goals, and course choices through postsecondary education and into careers. Many states have adopted policies that require the use of ILPs and research is starting to show the benefits. The Center for Workforce Development has conducted longitudinal research, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, to assess the effectiveness of ILPs, and it implemented a demonstration project to better understand their impact on post-school outcomes.
Presenters will summarize the research findings and discuss practitioners' and policymakers' experiences implementing and scaling up the use of ILPs. Presenters will include Dr. Terry Holliday, Kentucky Commissioner of Education, Joan Wills, Senior Policy Fellow, Center for Workforce Development, Institute for Educational Leadership, and Dr. Scott Solberg, Associate Dean of Research, Boston University. To learn more about the Capitol Hill Forum and register, visit the AYPF website. To learn more about IEL CWD's work on Individualized Learning Plans, visit the NCWD/Youth website.
Community Schools Make an Impact in Early Childhood Education
Community schools have been making tremendous breakthroughs in early childhood education. These breakthroughs were on display during a symposium hosted by the New America Foundation January 14 in Washington D.C where local community leaders were featured speakers on a panel of early childhood experts and practitioners.
Young children in community schools had greater comfort with school and readiness to engage in the instructional program and showed improved attendance and academic achievement; parents had increased capacity and efficacy to support their children; and schools demonstrated better coordination between educators as children transition from preschool settings to kindergarten and primary school as a result of the early childhood systems in place in community schools. The Coalition for Community Schools released several new reports and resources demonstrating these results in early education in community schools in conjunction with the New America Foundation symposium. Read more.
Coalition for Community Schools Urges NY Gov. Cuomo to Adopt Community School Strategy
An education task force convened by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recommended restructuring its schools as community schools in a preliminary action plan presented to the governor Jan 2.
The Coalition for Community Schools fully supports The New York Education Reform Commission call for the state to focus on providing more high-quality early childhood education for its neediest children, expanding learning opportunities for students, and integrating social, health, and other wraparound services through a community school strategy.
Members of the 25-person commission included former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Harlem Children's Zone Founder Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Campaign for Educational Equity Michael Rebell. The commission was appointed earlier this year with the task of reviewing the state's educational system and finding more efficient operating models that would produce financial savings and boost academic achievement. That commission cited the success of community schools in Cincinnati and across New York in its recommendations.
ED Announces 5 More Race to the Top Early-Learning Challenge Grant Winners
Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin will all receive a share of $133 million in funding under the second round of the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge. The grant competition focused on improving early learning and development programs for young children in order to give them a strong start to learning the skills needed to succeed in kindergarten through college and career. The competition guidelines called for an increase in the number of low-income children enrolled in high-quality early learning programs, the design and implementation of an integrated system of programs and services, and the use of assessments conforming to the recommendations of the National Research Council's reports on early childhood. Click here to learn more about the Early-Learning Challenge.
IEL Board Member Leads the Charge on Family Engagement
Dr. Karen Mapp, Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Board member for IEL, presented at the Department of Education's Roundtable Discussion on Family Engagement, December 5, 2012. Dr. Mapp, joined by the Secretary of Education; Jim Shelton, Assistant Deputy Secretary; other department officials, as well as the Principal and staff from Stanton Elementary School, where the event was hosted, presented a new family engagement framework the DOE is rolling out. Utilizing families as partners with an emphasis on systemic, integrated work, the new Framework discusses the challenges, policies/initiatives, conditions, and outcomes for effective and meaningful family engagement. The overall goal as, Secretary Duncan frames it is – "to move from sort of feel good parental engagement, to results driven parental engagement." Check out the Flamboyan Foundation's video of the event, here.
For more information regarding IEL's District Leaders Network on Family and Community Engagement (FCE) and additional resources on family engagement, visit the Network's website.
Join IEL & AERA for the ED Policy Forum 12/14- "Connecting Research to Policy: The Role of the Center on Education Policy"
The next AERA/IEL Education Policy Forum Luncheon on the topic of " Connecting Research to Policy: The Role of the Center on Education Policy" will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012 from noon until 2:00 pm at the Charles Sumner School and Museum(17th and M St. NW).
Thirteen dollars for the subsidized lunch will be collected at the door. Required reservations may be sent by email (ctalbot@aera.net) to Christy Talbot at AERA. Limited available seating is assigned according to the order in which reservations are received.
Founded by Jack Jennings, the Center on Education Policy (CEP) has been regarded by many as offering the most objective analysis of education policy. It has provided a platform for school reform by analyzing the impacts of federal policies as implemented by states and local districts, most recently with Race to the Top and the School Improvement Grants.
There have been some changes in CEP recently. With Jennings's retirement, CEP repositioned itself within the George Washington University's Graduate School of Education and Human Development and, most importantly, recruited a new Executive Director.
This policy forum will provide an introduction of Maria Ferguson, the new executive director of the CEP. Maria will stimulate a conversation about the continuing role of organization in analysis of education policy and practice in the context of the second Obama administration, and its future aspirations as a policy center.
Resource:
Maria Ferguson was Vice President for Policy at the Alliance for Excellent Education, following service as Director of the National School Boards Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works in conjunction with the National School Boards Association (NSBA) to strengthen and support school board leadership in local communities. She also was Director of Communication and Outreach Services for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education during the Clinton administration.
Sign Up Today: Coalition for Community Schools Webinars (November and December)
The Coalition for Community Schools is hosting several informative webinars over the next few weeks. Learn how to expand a community school initiative in your hometown, or what tax credits are available for low-income families, or how teacher unions can guide community school initiatives. To learn more about the webinars and how to register, visit www.communityschools.org/multimedia/webinars.aspx
Community Schools Grab Media Spotlight
Community schools around the country are receiving significant attention and accolades. One community school initiative in particular, Cincinnati Public Schools’ Community Learning Centers community schools have been one of the hottest stories in education recently. From NBC News’ Education Nation to American Public Media’s Marketplace program, Community Learning Centers are showing that schools and their community, businesses, and union partners can work together to overcome poverty and raise the academic achievement of children. Community Learning Centers have helped make Cincinnati the highest performing urban school district in Ohio. Read more.
Apply Now & Save the Date: 2013 National Community Schools Awards for Excellence 06/06/13
Are you a community school or community school initiative going above and beyond to create positive results for children, families, and your community? Applications to become a National Community Schools Award for Excellence Winner are now being accepted until December 15, 2012!
Awards ceremony will take place June 6, 2013 in Washington, DC. Following the awards ceremony join us for Education Day as we visit Capitol Hill to support Community Schools!
IEL Publication Recommended for Discussing Disability Disclosure in Schools
The article, “Meeting Matthew” in the Fall 2012 issue of Teaching Tolerance magazine tells the story of how one school helped students relate to a classmate with a hidden disability. The article describes how the school counselor collaborated with the teachers and family to assist a student with Asperger syndrome in disclosing his disability to classmates who were reacting negatively to his behaviors. The article recommends IEL’s publication, The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities, as a resource for discussing disability disclosure decisions with students and their families. Decisions about disclosing a disability are very personal and should always be left up to the student or individual with a disability. The workbook provides guidance to youth about the potential advantages and disadvantages of disability disclosure at school, in the workplace, and in social situations. Visit IEL’s National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) website to read or download the workbook and other publications on disability disclosure.
MA EPFP Event 11/08/12 – "Leadership: The Essential Foundation for Building the School Community Connection"
IEL and the Massachusetts EPFP Coordinators invite you to join us for "Leadership: The Essential Foundation for Building the School Community Connection" a presentation by Martin J. Blank. Blank, who leads IEL and the Coalition for Community Schools will discuss the kinds of leaders we need to build deep and purposeful partnerships between schools and community partners. He will build on his experience in partnership development across the nation. The presentation will be held on Thursday, November 8th at the Egan Research Center’s Conference Room 440 at the Northeastern University Campus in Boston, MA. We hope that you can join us at 6:00 pm for networking. The talk will begin at 6:30 pm.
To RSVP, please contact Angela Irving, MA EPFP Coordinator, at a.irving@neu.edu or 617-373-2630.
Personal Assistance Services Toolkit Now Available in E-Reader Format
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy’s popular publication Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS) is now available for e-readers in both ePub and mobi formats. This toolkit is designed for youth with disabilities who are planning to live independently in the community but need help with daily tasks. It offers concrete steps to hiring, managing and paying for personal assistance services. IEL played a significant role in researching, writing and creating this toolkit. Access the PDF version on NCWD/Youth's website.
IEL Study Cited in New York Times Op-Ed written by Gary MacDougal
On October 10th, Gary E. MacDougal wrote a New York Times op-ed piece focusing on government anti-poverty measures. He advocated for converting the current system – wherein the nearly $1 trillion of taxpayer money goes into a maze of federal, state, and local programs for low-income Americans – to a system of block grants to states, similar to Representative Paul Ryan's proposed Medicaid reform.
MacDougal argues that programs need to be provided holistically and locally, and need to measure outcomes rather than inputs. He quoted a 1995 study by IEL's Policy Exchange Director Margaret Dunkle that identified 33 federal-level committees, subcommittees, cabinet departments, and agencies that all participate in the oversight of at least one anti-poverty program. The study describes a family applying for assistance from major public programs and highlights how difficult it can be to figure out how to make the programs work effectively.
Learn more about the study and access additional resources.
USDOL Awards Grant to Institute for Educational Leadership for National Center for Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment
The U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has awarded a grant to the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) to operate ODEP's National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment. IEL is excited to receive this award to continue to build upon the last 11 years of work by the ODEP-funded National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth). This is the third iteration of this technical assistance center.
NCWD/Youth will continue to build capacity within and across youth service-delivery systems to improve employment and postsecondary education outcomes for all youth, including youth with disabilities.
NCWD/Youth will focus on three areas: career exploration, management and planning; youth development and leadership; and professional development for youth service professionals. It will provide technical assistance, training, and information to organizations running youth programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act, as well as current and former USDOL grantees. In order to improve transition outcomes for all youth, including youth with disabilities, NCWD/Youth looks forward to working in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies across multiple youth-serving systems in the public and private sectors.
Read the USDOL news release here.
GAO Report on Students with Disabilities Highlights NCWD/Youth's Guideposts for Success
The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently released a report entitled "Students with Disabilities: Better Federal Coordination Could Lessen Challenges in the Transition from High School." The report highlights the challenges youth with disabilities face in transitioning from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce. The report identifies a variety of ways in which federal agencies can better coordinate to serve youth with disabilities, including implementing the IEL-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth's Guideposts for Success across multiple youth-serving federal agencies as a framework to support transition to adulthood for all youth, including youth with disabilities and other disconnected youth. According to the report, "Such a framework could also be used at the local level to identify gaps in communities and individual plans."
DC EPFP Application Deadline Extended to 08/20/12
Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the 2012-2013 DC EPFP cohort.
The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is recruiting participants for the 2012-2013 class of the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) at its Washington, DC site. EPFP is a professional development program for individuals whose work record reflects strong leadership ability and a concern for issues important to children and education. Participants hold full-time positions in diverse organizations at the local, state, and national levels. EPFP combines regular meetings and activities specific to each State site program with events of national scope to provide an enriching experience for more than 200 Fellows each year. Applications are being accepted through August 20th. Apply online today!
EPFP currently operates in twelve state sites (CO, CT, GA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NY, NC, OH, PA, and SC) and the District of Columbia. For more information on each state site program, visit: http://epfp.iel.org/?page=Apply.
Please contact epfp@iel.org if you have any questions.
Campaign Pushes for Creation of Presidential Youth Council
More than a year ago a group of remarkable young people came together to advocate for a new addition to government: youth leadership. Their proposal was to create a Presidential Youth Council that would advise the President and every federal department in the Cabinet. Now, the Campaign for the Presidential Youth Council has officially launched and is gaining traction with the support of more than 100 leading youth-focused organizations. Read on to learn more about this exciting initiative and the latest developments in the Campaign. The Presidential Youth Council, comprised of young Americans ages 16-24, will advise the President on the perspectives of youth, offer suggestions on how to make federally funded youth programs more efficient and effective, and will create shared recommendations on issues that will affect the long-term future of our country.
IEL Submits Recommendations to Administration on Proposed Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth
On July 31, IEL's Center for Workforce Development (IWL/CWD) submited comments to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education regarding proposed Performance Partnership Pilots designed to improve outcomes for disconnected youth. IEL/CWD encouraged officials to broaden their definition of "disconnected youth" to include youth with disabilities. IEL/CWD also encouraged the implementation of a national youth transition framework, such as the Guideposts for Success by the IEL-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disbility for Youth. IEL CWD encouraged adoption of principles of Universal Design for Learning, including career exploration in youth programming, encouraging broad, cross-system, public and private partnerships, and rethinking outcomes to include a wide array of youth assessments, interim youth outcome measures, and performance expectations negotiated based on populations served. IEL/CWD also identified a number of barriers to working with disconnected youth, along with strategies to overcome these barriers, including eligibility alignment across systems, creating common definitions, and implementing common performance measures. Read the full recommendations here.
NGA and Senate HELP Committee Focus on Employment Among Individuals with Disabilities
On July 15, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell officially became chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), and he announced his chair's initiative, A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities, which aims to increase employment among individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the initiative will focus on the employment challenges that affect individuals with intellectual and other significant disabilities and the role that both state government and business can play in facilitating and advancing opportunities for these individuals to be gainfully employed in the competitive labor market.
"The bottom line is that there are so many people with disabilities who have the time, talent and desire to make meaningful contributions to interested employers," Gov. Markell said. "More companies are recognizing that creating greater economic opportunity for these workers improves their own bottom line as well. It doesn't matter whether you were born with additional challenges to face or – in the case of our wounded veterans for example – acquired them later in life. What matters is what you have to offer."
On July 16, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions released a report entitled "Unfinished Business: Making Employment of People with Disabilities a National Priority." The report details the current state of employment for adults with disabilities and describes policy recommendations that could help to increase labor force participation. Following a series of bipartisan HELP Committee hearings to explore the persistently low employment rate of people with disabilities, this report outlines the next steps to achieve Chairman Tom Harkin's goal of raising the number of Americans with disabilities in the labor force to six million by 2015.
"As someone who has sought to expand rights and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities for almost four decades, I am convinced America is ready to address this next great barrier of disability employment," Harkin wrote in the report. "At this time we are seeing a convergence of strong bipartisan leadership from the public and private sectors with the coming of age of a new generation of young adults with disabilities who have high expectations for themselves and have the education and skills to succeed in the modern workplace. If we make this issue the priority that it deserves to be, in the next few years we will see a real change in employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities."
IEL to Help Bring Career-Focused Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities to D.C. Public Schools
In November, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will launch the Competitive Employment Opportunities (CEO) Program, which will connect high school juniors with disabilities to professionals who work in a range of competitive occupations, in order to provide them with career exploration, soft skill training, and internship opportunities. As DCPS Transition Coordinator Raymond Hutchison explains, "Unfortunately, youth with disabilities are traditionally not seen as ideal candidates for employment in some of the District's fastest growing industries, therefore they are discouraged, either implicitly or explicitly, from pursuing certain careers. The CEO Program aims to erase this type of flawed thinking."
IEL's Center for Workforce Development (CWD) is aiding DCPS in the program's design by identifying and providing resources regarding best practices in the field of career-focused mentoring. IEL/CWD has developed several research- and practice-based mentoring resources, including Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities, produced by the IEL/CWD-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth and "Plotting the Course for Success: An Individualized Mentoring Plan for Youth with Disabilities," produced by the IEL/CWD-led National Consortium on Workforce and Disability for Youth. DCPS approached IEL after learning about the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP), IEL's career-focused mentoring program for at-risk and court-involved youth with disabilities and youth involved in the juvenile justice system. RAMP has served over 1100 youth since 2010.
EPFP Alumna Zabrina Epps Reveals How EPFP Impacted Decision to Run for Prince George's County (MD) Board of Education
Zabrina Epps, 2010-11 alumna of the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), has decided to enter the race for the District 1 seat on the Prince George's County Board of Education.
Epps is currently employed as an academic advisor at the Community College of Baltimore County. Her experience with students that are unprepared to enter college was instrumental in pushing her to run for school board.
"I'm running on behalf of the students who I meet as a community college Academic Advisor who, after 12 years of education, do not meet college standards," Epps said. "My goal is to engage parents, students, teachers, school workers, politicians and the community in solution-oriented discussions so we can raise the profile of Prince George's County Public Schools to one of Maryland's top school systems."
Epps said that her participation in EPFP "had a profound effect" on how she views her own role in the educational system.
"The most important takeaway [from EPFP] was all that we learned about leadership and how we can lead from a myriad of positions," Epps said.
A complete article from the Baltimore Sun covering an interview with Epps can be found here. To find more information about the campaign, visit Epps's official campaign site.
GEPFP Application Deadline to Extended to July 16, 2012
Don't miss your opportunity to study global education policy and travel to China as a Fellow in the 2012-2013 Global Education Policy Fellowship Program (GEPFP).
The Institute for Educational Leadership, in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), is accepting applications through July 16th for a professional development program focused on education policy in the Age of Globalization called the GEPFP.
GEPFP is a unique experience open to senior level leaders with an interest in global education policy, combining online learning with international travel to China. View the program description and tentative schedule of GEPFP meetings for 2012-2013.
To apply; please complete the GEPFP online application. The application—along with an $950 deposit—is due by July 16, 2012. For more information about Global EPFP, please email epfp@iel.org.
NCWD/Youth, ODEP Host Webinar on New Soft Skills Curriculum
NCWD/Youth and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) hosted a webinar on ODEP's new curriculum entitled "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success." The curriculum focuses on teaching "soft" or workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities. Created for youth development professionals as an introduction to workplace interpersonal and professional skills, the curriculum is targeted for youth ages 14 to 21 in both in-school and out-of-school environments. The basic structure of the program is comprised of modular, hands-on, engaging activities that focus on six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism. Access the webinar recording, PowerPoint presentation, and learn more about the curriculum.
IEL Announces New Mind in the Making/Community School Sites
IEL is excited to announce it has selected 3 new sites for its Mind in the Making Project/Community Schools Project (MITM-CS) - Providence, RI; Hartford, CT; and, Evansville, IN. A relatively new project (launched June 2011), MITM-CS is designed to use Ellen Galinsky's Mind in the Making and the Seven Essential Skills as a focal point for building bridges between early childhood systems and community schools. It also is intended to promote educational innovation in community schools, and serve as a model for all educators and families throughout the country. The Family and Works Institute is the primary Kellogg grantee, working in partnership with IEL and the Coalition for Community Schools.
The MITM approach and resources will be key to cultivating communities of engaged, lifelong learners across the 0-8 continuum by providing deeper understanding of the science of children's learning and support for trying out how to apply this research to parenting and teaching practices. Using a training of trainers capacity-building model, each community will identify members of key constituencies to serve as Mind in the Making "Learning Facilitators". We will work with these Learning Facilitators to bring Mind in the Making to parents, teachers, principals and other school staff; we will also make these learning communities and resources available to programs that might not otherwise have access to these kinds of professional development opportunities (e.g. home-based child care, home visiting programs and other parent support programs).
The three new sites will join Tulsa, OK; Multnomah County - Portland, OR; and, New York City, who are already participating in the project, in Albuquerque July 23-24 for an orientation meeting.
The Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP™) Seeks Applicants: Deadline September 2012
The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is now recruiting participants for the 2012-2013 class of the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP™). EPFP is a professional development program for individuals whose work record reflects strong leadership ability and a concern for issues important to children and education. Participants hold full-time positions in diverse organizations at the local, state, and national levels. EPFP™ combines regular meetings and activities specific to each State site program with national events to provide an enriching experience for more than 200 Fellows each year. Applications are being accepted through September 2012.
EPFP currently operates in twelve state sites (CO, CT, GA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NY, NC, OH, PA, and SC) and the District of Columbia. For more information on each state site program, visit: http://epfp.iel.org/?page=Apply.
Please contact epfp@iel.org if you have any questions.
Support Community Schools Language in New Race to the Top Grant Guidelines
IEL and the Coalition for Community Schools are very excited about the Department of Education's new Race to the Top – District competition. We are pleased that the draft guidelines reflect many of the principles found in community schools. Federal officials are accepting feedback on the grant guidelines until Friday June 8. We are calling on all community school advocates to voice their support for school-community partnerships in the guidelines.
ACT NOW! Support the Coalition's comments by going to the Education Department's website and voting "up" on the Coalition's recommendations. Search for "Coalition for Community Schools" to find our comment and vote. Feel free to post your own comments supporting community schools. Read the Coalition's comments.
In Memoriam: Van Mueller, Minnesota EPFP Coordinator Emeritus
Van D. Mueller, long time (1977-Present) Coordinator of the Institute for Educational Leadership's (IEL) Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) in Minnesota passed away on March 8, 2012. His many contributions to the field of education and to IEL personified the advice often attributed to another Minnesota-based leader of note, Harlan Cleveland: think globally; act locally.
Van, a "Yooper" (a native of Manistique in Michigan's Upper Peninsula), earned degrees from Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan; he earned his Ed.D. from Michigan State University. He spent 10 years as a teacher and administrator in Michigan public schools and in the Michigan Department of Education.
For thirty-three years, Van taught in the University of Minnesota's Educational Administration Department (now Health and Human Development). In addition to his teaching duties at the 'U', he advised over 150 graduate students, completed school finance studies in ten states and testified in equity law suits in state courts in seven states. Van was passionate about education and equity.
In his "spare time," Van coordinated the Minnesota EPFP (most recently with Dan Loritz, Randy Johnson, Tim McDonald, and Mary Donaldson), helping to prepare over 300 leaders for education – individuals who had a deeper understanding of national education policy and its implications for state and local education systems. In addition, these leaders had access to a broader national network of professional colleagues on whom to call for assistance. In 2007, IEL awarded Van its Distinguished Service Award.
For two years, Van served as president of the Minnesota PTA, and as vice-president and treasurer of the National PTA. He co-founded the American Education Finance Association where he served as a board member, vice-president, president, and co-edited two AEFA yearbooks; one of his specialty areas was a focus on rural school finance. Van also held several offices with the local, state and national Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary professional education association.
Van is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mildred (Mike), EPFP 1984-1985; two daughters, Vanessa Mueller, Kerry Fritze; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Edith Irene in 1982. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Edith I. Mueller scholarship fund at the Department of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota or the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter in Manistique, Michigan.
Join us for the Danzberger Memorial Lecture - "Surpassing Shanghai" – Reception & Book Signing Monday April, 23
Join IEL for the 12th Annual Danzberger Memorial Lecture presented by Marc Tucker on Monday, April 23rd from 4:15 PM until 5:15 PM at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel (999 Ninth St, NW; Washington, DC 20001).
Internationally recognized education reform expert and leader in benchmarking the policies and practices of the countries with the best education systems in the world, Marc Tucker, will try to answer a simple question: "How would one redesign the American education system if the aim was to take advantage of everything that has been learned by countries with the world's best education systems?" He will lay out his proposed "Agenda for American Education" and talk about why our nation needs such a bold agenda; he also will talk about the likelihood that the agenda will ever be implemented. Immediately following the Lecture, join IEL for an informal reception and book signing. Copies of Marc's new book "Surpassing Shanghai" will be available for purchase.
Senate Confirms RAMP Team Member to Join National Council of Disability
The National Council on Disability (NCD) -- an independent federal agency that advises the president, Congress, and other federal agencies on the policies and programs that affect the lives of people with disabilities -- welcomed Stephanie Orlando to the agency. Orlando works for YOUTH POWER!, a program of Families Together in New York State. YOUTH POWER! is the state coordinating entity for IEL's Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) in New York State, and Families Together in Albany Countyis one of the three New York RAMP sites.
NCWD/Youth Releases How-to Guide for Implementing Individualized Learning Plans
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), housed at IEL's Center for Workforce Development, has released "Promoting Quality Individualized Learning Plans: A 'How to Guide' Focused on the High School Years", a new online guide for schools, educators, and other professionals who assist youth with college and career readiness and transition planning. This guide was developed in response to feedback from schools indicating a need for curriculum and implementation guidelines to support whole-school buy-in for implementing individualized learning plans (ILPs). A key goal of the Guide is to help schools develop a bridge between college and career readiness efforts through the use of ILPs and help youth achieve prosperous and productive lives. The career development activities and resources in this guide are also useful for youth service professionals in the workforce development system. The Guide contents include: 1) Section I – a range of curriculum resources organized according to three career development phases that are necessary in order to support students' development of high quality ILPs: self-exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management; 2) Section II – an overview of several strategies that can facilitate school-wide ILP implementation and addresses how to connect it to broader institutional goals; 3) Section III – how to develop, implement, and monitor the ILP process; 4) Section IV – links to a number of additional resources, including those commercially available that schools can consider in support of implementing ILPs. The Guide is available online and also in PDF version.
Join IEL & AERA for the ED Policy Forum: "Reinventing the GED" 04/04
The next AERA/IEL Education Policy Forum Luncheon on the topic of"Reinventing the GED" will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from noon until2:00 pm at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (1307 NewYork Ave, NW). Thirteen dollars for the subsidized lunch will be collected atthe door. Required reservations may be sent by email (ctalbot@aera.net) toChristy Talbot at AERA. Limited available seating is assigned according to theorder in which reservations are received.
Note: At last month's EPF on the Common Core Standards there was a gooddeal of interest expressed in the changes planned for the GED. This forum willbe an opportunity to fully explore the role and potential of theGED.
College and career readiness typically implies a track wherestudents progress from the K-12 system to postsecondary education. Indeed,reports indicate that those who do not graduate from high school are not aslikely to be employed, and if they are, they will likely earn much less thantheir counterparts who have graduated from high school.
In light of these trends, a new version of the GED, GED 20/20, is set to bereleased. The assessment itself will be aligned with the Common Core StateStandards, but there are many questions to be answered: What are the componentsof this new GED? How will these changes impact test-takers, high schooldropouts, and employers who will hire adult learners who take this assessment?
Resource: Martin Kehe, vice president of products atthe GED Testing Service, has been involved in the development of the new GED20/20 assessment, and will describe the proposed updates to the GED. Kehe hasbeen with the GED Testing Service since 2008. Prior to this, he served as theBranch Chief for Assessment at the Maryland State Department of Education.
Photo taken from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.
Join us for the "The Influence of Teachers: A Conversationwith John Merrow" 04/05
Register now toparticipate in a conversation with John Merrow about his book "The Influence ofTeachers" on Thursday,April 5 at 2:00 PM ET. During this webinar, Merrow willdiscuss his book and the possibilities and solutions for a new education system.IEL President Martin J. Blank will start the conversation by asking Merrowquestions submitted by participants. Submit your pressing question(s) by fillingout the registration form.
Members of the IEL and EPFP network can purchase "The Influence ofTeachers" for a special discounted price of $10 (includes shipping). Click here to learn how to place your order.
Education Week Runs Front Page Feature on CommunitySchools
The community schools movement is growing – and it continues to capture national attention. This time it's thefront page of Education Week. Reporter Christina Samuels takes an in-depth lookat community schools in Multnomah County, Oregon and its nearly two decades ofsuccess.
SUN(Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Community Schools in and around Portland hasbeen lauded by national education leaders and media as a shining example of howschools and communities working together can achieve sustaining positiveoutcomes for students even in the economic downturn. While it features SUN, thisin-depth, three-page story also covers the growth of community schools in recentyears in cities like New York and Chicago and its growing favor with federaleducation leaders, including Secretary Duncan and President Obama.
Read the Education Week story here (Registrationrequired).
Community Schools Making News in the Bay Area
Communityschools are becoming a hot subject of interest in the Bay Area. Oakland is inthis midst of transforming its entire school district into full-servicecommunity schools. Across the bay, San Francisco is looking to scale up itscommunity schools initiative. Two major newspapers in San Francisco, The Chronicle and The Examiner,decided wrote about community schools in the Bay in February.
Justin time for the Coalition for Community Schools 2012 National Forum May 9-12 atthe Marriott Marquis in downtown San Francisco. Register now!
SecretaryDuncan Affirms Support for Community Schools Strategy
Speakingat the February 6th Askwith Forum, Harvard University's Graduate School ofEducation's lecture series, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan reaffirmedhis support for full-service community schools as one of the most effectiveeducation reforms, especially in impoverished communities.
Thisis not the first time Secretary Duncan has publically support community schoolssince his appointment to the Obama Administration. Duncan also appeared in aninterview with Charlie Rose on PBS and talked about his for support of communityschools.
Read an excerpt of Secretary Duncan's remarks.
National Education Startup Challenge Invites Youth to Propose EducationSolutions
The U. S. Department of Education has launched the National Education Startup Challenge, which invites studentsin middle school, high school, and college students and out-of-school youth todevelop innovative, real world solutions to improve education. Youth from acrossthe country are encouraged to submit a business plan and a video pitch for afor-profit or non-profit startup that includes an innovative strategy, productor service designed to address one of these four topics:
- Middle GradesMatter: Helping middleschool students transition to high school and stay on track to graduate.
- Skills, Skills,Skills: Providingstudents in rural, urban, and/or high-poverty communities with opportunities forinternships or other work- and community-based learning experiences that helpthem develop skills for success in postsecondary education, 21st centurycareers, and civic life.
- Education Pays: Making it easierfor students and families to find and select high-quality, affordablepostsecondary programs – whether colleges, universities, or career trainingprograms – that provide good value.
- Finishing Faster: Increasing thelikelihood that postsecondary students complete their degrees and decreasing thetime it takes them to finish, such as by improving and speeding up remedialeducation.
All submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on May 1, 2012.Submissions will be judged by a panel of prominent educators and entrepreneursand awards will be made in four categories: 6th – 8th grade students; 9th –12th grade students; Undergraduate students; and Out-of-school youth. Youthwho win the challenge will be celebrated by senior White House and Department ofEducation officials, and may qualify for additional recognition opportunities. To learn more, visit the website at http://nesc.challenge.gov.
Webpage onIndividualized Learning Plans Launched by NCWD/Youth
The NationalCollaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), housed atIEL's Center for Workforce Development, has a new webpage on Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) featuringvarious publications and resources for understanding and using ILPs. An ILP is atool that students in secondary school use – with support from school counselorsand parents – to define their personal interests and goals related to theircareer and postsecondary education and to plan what courses to take and whatactivities to participate in during high school to further their interests andachieve their goals. The webpage contains information about the latest ILPresearch, policies, and practices including findings and resources developedthrough NCWD/Youth's ILP Research and Demonstration Project in four states and14 schools that use Individualized Learning Plans to guide high school studentstoward college and careers. For more information and resources, visit the ILP webpage.
NCWD/YouthReleases Three New InfoBriefs on Learning Disabilities
The NationalCollaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth), housed atIEL's Center for Workforce Development released threenew InfoBriefs on working with youth with learning disabilities. " Helping Youth with Learning Disabilities Chart the Course: AGuide for Youth Service Professionals" describes challenges faced by youthand young adults with learning disabilities as they reach adulthood, whilehighlighting strategies youth service professionals can implement to help youthto transition successfully into the workplace. " Learning How to Learn: Successful Transition Models forEducators Working with Youth with Learning Disabilities" identifies andexplains selected classroom-based strategies that incorporate strategiclearning. General and special educators can implement the strategies describedto engage students with disabilities (particularly those with learningdisabilities) in order to prepare students to transition from secondary topostsecondary and workplace settings. " Using Universal Design for Learning: Successful TransitionModels for Educators Working with Youth with Learning Disabilities" identifies and explains selected classroom-based strategies within the UniversalDesign for Learning (UDL) model. These InfoBriefs and more are available to read or download on NCWD/Youth's website.
NewSoft Skills Curriculum in English & Spanish Available from USDOLODEP
"Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for WorkplaceSuccess," is a curriculum developed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Officeof Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) focused on teaching "soft" or workforcereadiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities. The curriculum wascreated for youth development professionals to use with youth ages 14 to 21 inboth in‐school and out‐of‐school environments as an introductionto workplace interpersonal and professional skills. It consists of modular,hands‐on, engaging activities that focus onsix key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork,networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism. Thecurriculum is available in both English and Spanish on the ODEP website.
Letterfrom U. S. Department of Education Addresses DisabilityDiscrimination
The U. S. Department ofEducation Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released a Dear Colleague letter and FAQ concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act AmendmentsAct (Amendments Act). The letter guidance reiterates the Department's commitmentto ensure that educational opportunity is provided free from disabilitydiscrimination. The documents discuss the various obligations of schooldistricts, such as the requirement to evaluate students for disability, andprovide a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities, aswell as the changes made by the Amendments Act. Read or download the Dear Colleague letter and FAQ online.
Community Learning Exchange Attendees Bring the WorkHome
In this blog post from the Mi Casa Resource Center, Katherine Brenton highlightsThe Community Learning Exchange's (CLE) four importantprinciples to cultivate social change: collective leadership, gracious space,racial equity, and youth engagement. Mi Casa Resource Center is an originalmember of the Community Learning Exchange – a Kellogg Leadership for CommunityChange (KLCC) project. KLCC offers grassroots community leaders the opportunityto share challenges and solutions through local and regional Community LearningExchanges and to contribute to national policy conversations. Since 2002, IEL hasworked with communities in 11 states to develop community-based leadershipfocused on engaging communities, families, and children living on the margins.The CLE aims to use collective leadership to address community problemsof the 21st century. To learn more about the impact the CLE had ontheir work, read the full blog post from Mi Casa here.
Register Now: Coalition for Community Schools 2012National Forum
This May 9-12, 2012, the Coalition for Community Schoolsjoins California community school leaders and advocates to convene a diversegroup of stakeholders committed to better results for young people across thenation. The 2012 NationalForum will engage a broad audience of policymakers,administrators and practitioners who want to learn how to put together schooland community assets to support student success.
This year's theme, Scaling up Schooland Community Partnerships: The Community Schools Strategy reflects the Coalition's new guide. We want participants to learn from schools andcommunities that are planning, or are in the midst of scale up, as well as thosewho are at scale and working to deepen their efforts and improve effectiveness.This conference will enable participants to gain the knowledge and skills tocreate, sustain, and scale up community schools through workshop sessions andnetworking with other professionals in similar fields of work. Join us atthis exciting event and register NOW: http://www.cvent.com/d/hdqyw1/4W .