A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education Robin Fabiano, Abigail Hanscom, Angela Smagula

Thank for you listening to Season 2.!  This school year has been a challenge in so many ways but doing the podcast and hearing from people all around the country has been a bright spot. We wish everyone a restful and refreshing summer and welcome ideas for topics for Season Three in September!

Here are links to topics discussed during this episode.

Watch the My Disability Roadmap short film here

Official trailer for How to Dance in Ohio

MADESE IEP improvement plan (draft doc. and updated guidance on referral, eligibility and evaluation)

Thanks for being part of the Pod!
Robin, Angela and Abby

Please go back in the archives and listen to an episode you may have missed from season 1 or season 2.  We'll be back next week for the final episode of season 2.

Listen in on the debate about grade retention. Angela, Robin and Abby discuss the documented pros and cons and  debate the trends and impact post COVID.

Grade Retention Post COVID 19: Evidence Based Guidance, UCONN School of Education, October 2021

Alternatives to Grade Retention by Linda Darling Hammond for the School Superintendent's Association

History of the Debate  and Research (this issue has been around a long time)

Research Roundup on Retention from 2008 published by ASCD

Is Retaining Students in the Early Grades Self Defeating? 2012 Brookings Report

When Kids are Held Back, Gains  Can Follow - Harvard Graduate School of Education 2017

Massachusetts Retention Data 2022

MASC - promotion and retention of students

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby respond to collected questions from listeners.
 
Topics include the always scintillating details of school discipline, the ins and outs of a parent's right to choose to medicate or not medicate their child and a super timely topic - all things extended school year.

If you are interested in the Extended School Year guidance document referenced in the episode you can find it here:
MA DESE Extended School Year FAQ

BEWARE - this is a Massachusetts document and may be more expansive  than the guidance documents for your state.  But - we've used it for over a decade with good results for kids and families and send it along as a helpful resource and potential discussion starter.

Here is a great article from NPR that you can listen to related to the national special education teacher shortage and the types of creative solutions that are being developed to respond.

Here’s a tutorial for Read Write for Google:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vnJ_nwZHsiI

Have you ever considered becoming a special education administrator?  It isn't as wild an idea as you might think!  Join Robin and Abby as they share their journey on the path to educational leadership. Pros/Cons and lots of food for thought!


Sample Student Services Department Head Rubric
Sample Student Services Director Rubric

The film CODA has won multiple awards this year including Best Film and Best Supporting Actor. We watched the film and had lots of thoughts about the representation of people with disabilities in film.  There are a variety of opinions and reactions to the film from people with and without disabilities. Check out the film on Apple TV, take a listen to our convo (Spoiler Alert) and send us your reactions and thoughts.
Angela, Robin and Abby

CODA review in New York Times
CODA review in the New Yorker
CODA review The Conversation
CODA review Variety