School Nurses as Vital Members of 504 and Individualized Educational Program Teams: Do District-Level Policies Make a Difference in School Nurses’ Involvement?

In 2019, 10 to 20 million school-aged youth were identified as having a chronic health condition or disability. However, little is known about U.S. school district policies on school nurses’ participation in Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and Section 504 teams to support these youth. Using nationally representative district-level data from the 2016 School Health Policies and Practices Study, we examined whether U.S. school districts have policies on school nurse participation in IEP and 504 development. In addition, we examined the relationship between having such policies and policies on (a) creating and maintaining school teams to assist students with disabilities and (b) the participation of other essential school staff in IEP and 504 development. Among districts with policies regarding school nurse participation in IEP development versus those that did not, a significantly greater proportion had policies on student support teams and counselors’ participation on IEP teams (79.2% vs. 44.4%, p < .001, and 98.7% vs. 56.2%, p < .001, respectively). In addition, among districts with policies on school nurse participation in 504 development versus those that did not, a significantly greater proportion also had policies on support teams and counselors’ participation on 504 teams (77.5% vs. 43.1%, p < .001, and 97.2% vs. 50.7%, p < .001, respectively). We also examine regional and locale differences in these policies. Findings encourage discussion on student support teams’ role in school districts for students with chronic health conditions and disabilities, how school nurses can be essential team members, and better coordination of student care to promote children who are engaged, healthy, and supported within the school community.

Pilot Implementation of the Curriculum "Promoting Learning Through Active Interaction (PLAI)" in a Child with Sotos Syndrome

The present study focused on the implementation of the PLAI Program in a boy with Sotos syndrome, aged 10 years. The aim was to describe the results regarding the communication skills of the child after the pilot implementation of the specific Curriculum. Video observation and analysis were used to assess the child's communication skills, both before and after the implementation of the program. The PLAI program, which was implemented for about 4 months, focused on improving the child's communication skills, included similar activities and was based mainly on the strategy of routine and sensory cues. The results from the implementation of the individualized educational program were quite satisfactory, as a significant improvement in the communication skills of the specific child was found. The contribution of the Curriculum "Promoting Learning Through Active Interaction" is very important for the education of students with severe-multiple disabilities.

Meningkatkan Kemampuan Guru pada Pembelajaran Membaca Anak Disleksia

The objective of this study was to investigate reading instruction training for teaching teachers to teach reading student with dyslexia. Training mothods uses multi methods I.e lectures vary, demonstrations, exercises and assignments. The increased aspects related to the implementation of identification and assesment, development of modification lesson plan and individualized educational program. Futhermore, reading instruction for dyslexia includes strategy and learning media as assesment of learning for students with dyslexia. .

Advocating for Twice Exceptional Students

It is clear that our schools are not adequately meeting the needs of twice exceptional (2e) students. To ensure that our 2e students are receiving appropriate education, professionals and parents must advocate that each student receives a meaningful Individualized Educational program (iep). Advocating effectively for 2e students requires an understanding of the law and knowledge of both the challenges of appropriate identification and the best practices for educating this population. Based on the author’s experience in over four decades of advocating for students with special needs, this chapter offers a recipe for thinking through each of these areas in a collaborative way with the school team in order to develop appropriate educational programs.