October 15, 2021 Mini-Grants

 Each fall the IAASE Innovative Practices Committee sends out the criteria to apply for an IAASE Innovative Practices Mini-Grant. Watch for an announcement coming out soon for the FY22 grant program. In the meantime, check out a few of the summaries of projects from the recipients of the FY21 Mini-Grant program:

CEC Club: Growing Expertise from Within

East Moline School District #37

Jaylee Swanson, Director of Special Education  jswanson@emsd37.org

Council for Exceptional Children memberships were purchased for staff who wanted to participate in a collaborate learning opportunity.  Meetings were held monthly and utilized CEC resources and readings to conduct research and plan a presentation or share out for our district staff.  Club members worked in teams to research specific topics and then shared what they had learned.  Presentations and topics included parental involvement in the IEP process, transition from early childhood to Kindergarten, dyslexia instruction, and supporting students with emotional disabilities in the general education setting.  Participants showed a renewed interest in special education topics, learned how to read and apply research, and became well versed in the ability to communicate and share out information with staff members.

 

Rocketbook Reorganization and Resilient Pedagogy

Harrisburg Unit #3 School District: West Side Primary

Amanda Davidson, Special Education Teacher  adavidson@harrisburg3.org

Through the purchase of Rocketbooks and supplemental resources, this project was intended to aid in bridging the gap between remote and in-person learning, especially targeting the organization of student data. Due to Covid production issues, the Rocketbooks did not arrive until after the projected timeline.  Plans for implementation for the 2021-2022 school year include using the Rocketbooks for midterm and end of quarter checks in Kindergarten, using the Rocketbook pages to upload art projects and to share notes between team members. It will also would provide a new innovative way to meet the writing needs in early elementary while providing a digital component.  

ASK an ATTORNEY

We are bringing this feature back:  Ask an Attorney. This is your opportunity to ask our IAASE Attorneys any questions.  They will provide monthly updates via the IAASE Blog. Click here to contribute to the IAASE ASK an ATTORNEY form. The first update will be in September. 

SEAPAC UPDATE

You may ask, "What does SEAPAC do for me?" Our main purpose is to raise awareness for IAASE and the impact proposed legislation has on special education.  By raising and distributing funds, you are helping to advocate for the political goals of the members of IAASE.

Our dollars support the work of our lobbyist, Shannon Bellini, to help legislators understand our perspectives and the impact of legislation on schools. SEAPAC plays an important role in educating, providing access, and representing the organization with members of the General Assembly.   IAASE is an organization of over 1100 members. Think of the impact we could make if every one of our members becomes a SEAPAC member!

To make becoming a member easier, we have subscribed to Givebutter.  Givebutter does charge a 3.6% processing fee, so if you would like to pay by check, please route them to Melissa Taylor at 100 Paddock Road Belleville IL 62223.  If you are comfortable using Givebutter, just use the camera on your phone to open the QR below!

 The cost is $20 annually but you are welcome to give more! Additionally, SEAPAC would be honored to accept any voluntary private contributions including funds that regions would normally donate for the conference raffle baskets.

If you have any questions about SEAPAC, please reach out to Lea Anne Frost at lfrost@d64.org