RDSPD Peer Review

A 60 minute training video for the RDSPD Peer Review is now available on the resource page of the ESC-20 deaf education website. This video provides an overview of the RDSPD Peer Review Process and information necessary to help review teams prepare for an effective visit.

Programs wishing to conduct a peer review are asked to contact John Bond at john.bond@esc20.net to schedule the visit. Limited funds are available to reimburse travel for review team members.

All programs received a free copy of the RDSPD peer review kit at the October 2008 administrators' meeting in Austin. Programs wishing to purchase additional copies may visit the ESC-20 Products web page for ordering information.

Click Here to go to ESC-20 deaf education resource website and view the video.

Deafness 101 Modules

 A series of downloadable modules and web-based videos is available on the resource page of the ESC-20 deaf education website. This resource is intended to be downloaded by deaf educators to provide general training to general educators and parents of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The purpose of this project is to provide foundational knowledge about working with students who are deaf/hard of hearing. These modules will also be available as a free online course with a target release in November 2009!

Click Here to go to ESC-20 deaf education resource website.

Module 1: Introduction to Hearing Loss

This module introduces general educators to deafness and focuses on the educational implications a hearing loss has on accessing instruction. In this module, participants will:

• Develop a basic understanding of hearing loss and its impact on access to education
• Explore strategies and modifications to provide the child with hearing loss access to the educational environment
• Learn about current technological interventions that aide children who have hearing loss and the limitations of these technologies
  
  

Module 2: Instructional Considerations

This module introduces general educators to classroom strategies to assure access to instruction. It focuses on access to instruction (communication and classroom arrangements), instructional strategies, etc. In this module, participants will:

• Explore instructional strategies and modifications for students with hearing loss in the general education classroom.
• Identify means for providing equal access to instruction for the student with hearing loss in the general education classroom.
• Understand the impact of noise in the classroom on the student with hearing loss.
• Develop an understanding of the unique vocabulary and language needs of the student with hearing loss.
  
  

Module 3: Personal and Classroom Listening Technologies

This module provides general educators an overview of hearing aids, classroom amplification systems, and cochlear implants. The module talks about classroom considerations and offers suggestions for assuring students have access to instruction. In this module, participants will:

• Learn about current technological interventions that allow students with a hearing loss to access the educational environment with greater ease

2010 Texas Asistive Technology Network Conference

Assistive Technology enables students with disabilities to access the curriculum, increase independence, and participate actively in education and life activities. Come join us in San Antonio to learn from national and local presenters on timely disability and technology-related issues for accommodating students in a variety of settings. The conference will also include an exhibit hall providing the latest information on products. Take advantage of our early bird registration rate of only $65 (Promo code = Early65), which is good until April 1, 2010. Regular registration is $95 and last minute registration is $125. For more information, go to www.texasatconference.net

The conference is sponsored by the Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) through leadership by Region 4 Education Service Center. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.

Content Area Resources (Math & Science)

Methods and Materials for Teaching Science to Deaf Students

Through the Master of Science in Secondary Education, the Rochester Institute of Technology offers a website that offers teaching strategies, sample lesson plans, and an online ASL video dictionary of math and science vocabulary (http://ideatools.rit.edu/hgl9008/msse/).

Texas Online Sign Math Sign Language Dictionary

Texas School for the Deaf offers a website that offers math sign vocabulary for grades K-12. Users can choose between ASL or SEE. The web page can be viewed in both English and Spanish (http://www.tsdvideo.org).

Active Learning for Deaf Students: Teaching Tips for Enhancing Instruction in Science and Mathematics

This Power Point presentation by Dr. Harry Lang and Rachel Lewis (NTID/RIT) provides practical examples and “best practices” related to designing instruction that utilizes active learning with students who are deaf or hard of hearing (http://www.deafed.net/ContentResources/Science/ActiveLearning.ppt).

2009-2010 Statewide Training via TETN

The following training opportunities are broadcast via TETN to all 20 ESC locations. For registration information, contact your local ESC Deaf Education Contact.

DHH Issues for Parent Advisors

November 18, 2009; 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ESC TETN Meeting Room; Fee $0

Host: Alicia Favila, Statewide DHH Leadership in Early Intervention/Preschool [ESC-10]

Supporting Literacy in an Itinerant Model

December 11, 2009; 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ESC TETN Meeting Room; Fee: $0

Host: John Bond, Statewide DHH Leadership for Access to the General Curriculum [ESC-20]

Early Intervention Update for DHH/ECI Providers

February 10, 2010; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ESC TETN Meeting Room; Fee: $0

Host: Alicia Favila, Statewide DHH Leadership in Early Intervention/Preschool [ESC-10]

ESC DHH Contacts:

ESC Region 1, Edinburg
Judy Hollinger, 956.984.6244, Jhollinger@esc1.net

ESC Region 2, Corpus Christi
Kimberly Cook, 361.561.8514, kimberly.cook@esc2.us

ESC Region 3, Victoria
Mary Scott, 361.573.0731, mscott@esc3.net

ESC Region 4, Houston
Fred Shafer, 713.744.7856, fshafer@esc4.net

ESC Region 5, Silsbee
Dana Pitman, 409.923.5409, dpitman@esc5.net

ESC Region 6, Huntsville
Nodya Thorton, 936.435.8353, nthorton@esc6.net

ESC Region 7, Kilgore
Jackie Farmer, 903.988.6896, jfarmer@esc7.net

ESC Region 8, Mt. Pleasant
Dawn Adams, 903.575.2766, dadams@reg8.net

ESC Region 9, Wichita Falls
Tricia Lee, 940.322.6928, tricia.lee@esc9.net

ESC Region 10, Richardson
Jack Delametter, 972.348.1588, jack.delametter@region10.org

ESC Region 11, Fort Worth
Stacey McKenzie, 817.470.7501, smckenzie@esc11.net

ESC Region 12, Waco
Gina Holman, 254.297.1155, gholman@esc12.net

ESC Region 13, Austin
Diane Christopherson, 512.919.5357, diane.christopherson@esc13.txed.net

ESC Region 14, Abilene
Mary Ann Brady, 325.675.8635, mabrady@esc14.net

ESC Region 15, San Angelo
Martha Elder, 325.658.6571 Ext. 130, martha.elder@netxv.net

ESC Region 16, Amarillo
Linda Lamirande, 806.677.5194, linda.lamirande@esc16.net

ESC Region 17, Lubbock
Laura Skeen, 806.281.5875, lskeen@esc17.net

ESC Region 18, Midland
Sharon Moya, 432.567.3257, smoya@esc18.net

ESC Region 19, El Paso
Angelica Rodriguez, 915.780.5095, arodriguez@esc19.net

ESC Region 20, San Antonio
Deborah Thompson, 210.370.5433, deborah.thompson@esc20.net

2009-2010 Regional D/HH Professional Development at ESC-20

2009 Advanced Interpreter Mini-Institute
August 10-12, 2009; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
San Antonio College
Workshop #PD90810-B01; Fee: $50

Introduction to the Cottage Acquisition Scales for Language, Listening & Speech (CASLLS)
September 21-22, 2009; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
ESC-20 Conference Center
Workshop #PD90921-B01; Fee: $50

See the Sound (Visual Phonics)
October 22-23, 2009; 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
ESC-20 Conference Center
Workshop #PD91023-B01; Fee: $75

Effective Instruction for Struggling Readers Who Are Deaf/HH
November 7, 2009; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
December 12, 2009; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January 23, 2010; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
ESC-20 Conference Center
Workshop #PD91114-B01; Fee: $40

TEKS, TAKS & TERPS: The Educational Interpreter's Role in High Stakes Testing - Social Studies
February 15, 2010; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
ESC-20 Conference Center
Workshop #PD100215-B01; Fee: $50

Fairview Links to Reading and Language - Deaf/HH
February 27, 2010; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
ESC-20 Conference Center
Workshop #PD100227-B01; Fee: $50


See the Sound (Visual Phonics)
July 12-13, 2010; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Workshop #PD100712-B01; Fee: $75

Register for sessions at http://www.esc20.net.   For information, contact: Deborah Thompson, Education Specialist  210.370.5433 V/TTY   deborah.thompson@esc20.net

ESC-20 Access to the General Curriculum Website

Click here to visit the statewide AGC Network website.

The ESC Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Access to the General Curriculum (AGC) lead collaborates with the statewide AGC Network to create resources to help all students meet grade level expectations. Since many of the needs of students who are D/HH are similar to most students, valuable resources and information can be found on this website. This blog will frequently provide links to new resources as they become available to the State.

Currently, the Statewide AGC Network website includes the following information:

• AGC training modules for early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Q & A document
  
• Standards-based IEP Q & A document
  
• TAKS-M benchmark assessments

During the 2009-2010 school year, look for guidance and resources related to co-teaching and standards-based IEPs.

ESC-20 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Website

Click here to visit the ESC-20 DHH website.

Through the ESC State Leadership Project, ESC-20 provides professional development and technical assistance to the statewide ESC Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ESC DHH) contacts as they assist school districts with the development and implementation of comprehensive instructional programs that are standards-based and results-driven. Through collaboration with the statewide Access to the General Curriculum Network, the ESC DHH contacts help local programs meet the unique needs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing across the continuum of placement options.

The ESC-20 DHH website includes in the following information:

• An interactive map listing statewide vacancies in Texas public and charter schools
• Links to resources, organizations, and agencies related to serving students who are D/HH
• Links to statewide development opportunities

Later this year, look for links to Deafness 101 training modules for general educators and a training module for the RDSPD peer review process.