Essential Bulletin for Educators

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at any time at bsebulletin@pattankop.net

With appreciation for all you do,

The Pennsylvania BSE and PaTTAN Staff

1. Digital Scavenger Hunt
2. Introduction Videos
3. Collaborative Class Expectations
4. Digital Time Capsule
5. Virtual Field Trip
6. Storytelling with Coding
7. Classroom Blog Setup
8. Collaborative Word Clouds
9. Interactive Timeline
10. Creativity Challenge

From Class Tech Tips by Dr. Monica Burns

The Classroom Management Snapshot Tool (linked below) provides tips for implementation, as well as a data collection form.

From Classroom Management Snapshot Tool. Courtesy of Eva Allen, PaTTAN Consultant

The Freedom Scientific Student of the Month program features K-12 students living in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired and use Freedom Scientific technology to achieve educational goals. The Student of the Month for July 2023 is Alan, a seventh grader from Pennsylvania.

Alan uses JAWS and the Focus to access the Schoology learning management system, which his school uses to make course materials online. “Students can access assignments, grades, and message teachers if we need help with assignments. I often use JAWS to access that,” states Alan.

Learn more about Alan by reading the full article or watching the video linked below.

The Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation and Request for Consent form has been separated into two forms, the Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation form and the Request for Consent for a Reevaluation form (linked below). The form was separated into two forms to ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs) provide parents with prior written notice and obtain parent consent at proper times during the reevaluation process, in accordance with 34 CFR 300.300 and 300.503.

The video linked below explains the rationale for the change and how to use the two new forms.

The English Language Development Virtual Professional Learning Conference provides educators, administrators, and scholars with opportunities to engage in knowledge sharing and discussion in order to increase positive educational outcomes for multilingual learners.

This PaTTAN-developed, self-paced online course provides instruction on writing an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Through the use of videos, audio PowerPoints, and PaTTAN publications, participants will complete modules on common terminology, leading IEP team meetings, and sections I-VIII of the IEP.

Target Audience:

Special Education Teachers, Administrators, General Education Teachers, Parents

Fellows are engaged in learning, networking, and mentoring opportunities built to enhance their capacity and promote effective programming to ensure success for all students with disabilities. The PFP is designed specifically for special education leaders with three or less years of experience in their current role.

The goals of the PFP for Special Education Leaders are to:

• Increase the skills and knowledge of legal issues and reporting procedures required in special education.
• Build and support a cadre of special education leaders who can achieve improved results for all students with disabilities.
• Develop a culture of learning and teaching within LEAs so all staff have the knowledge and skills to support students with disabilities.
• Promote the development of a network of collaborative relationships with professionals in similar positions from across the state.

For questions, contact Christine Moon, APR Lead, at cmoon@pattanpgh.net.

This document explores how schools can reframe the IEP process and take active steps to include families as educational partners. When families are not just involved, but actively engaged, students achieve better grades, higher test scores, and increased graduation rates.

A family-friendly explanation of each section of the IEP is included, as well as considerations and conversation starters for use at the IEP team meeting.