In this issue:
MTSS Fest headed East in May 2019, hosted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in partnership with the National Center on Intensive Intervention, the Association of the Washington School Principles (AWSP), the UW SMART Center, Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC), and Kaiser Permanente. Planning Committee members included: Glenna Gallo (OSPI), Dixie Grunenfelder (OSPI), Kelcey Schmitz (UW), Tania May (OSPI), Lee Collyer (OSPI), Robin Howe (OSPI), Aira Jackson (OSPI), Haley Lowe (OSPI), Susan Ruby (EWU), Renee Pryor (Central Valley School District), and Shiloh Kauzlarich (CRESD113).
The conference offered one and a half days of learning, including daily keynotes, 37 breakout sessions, and team time for groups to connect and share. A Monday evening reception, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, provided opportunities to network with presenters and each other.
MTSS Fest was a huge success; demonstrating how much statewide support is desired. Registration sold out in less than two weeks. A conference planned for 400-500 individuals brought over 640 participants statewide. Presentation materials can be found here.
As a result of the success of the recent conference and large wait list, OSPI, NCII, ESD 113, and other partners are planning to make MTSS Fest an annual event! If you would like to be notified about future MTSS Events you can sign up for alerts here.
In September of 2016, OSEP funded three projects focusing on tiered approaches to improving reading and language outcomes for English Learners (ELs). These projects are developing and implementing culturally and linguistically responsive models for multitiered systems of support for ELs, including those with or at risk of having a disability.
Full Article
New discipline rules, effective July 1, 2019, will end more than two decades of “zero tolerance” school discipline policies in Washington public schools. Zero tolerance discipline was intended to deter and address student behavior problems with sanctions that were swift, pre-determined and, often, harsh. In place of fixed punishments, the new discipline rules, state: “Before administering any suspension or expulsion, a school district must consider the student’s individual circumstances and the nature and circumstances of the behavioral violation to determine whether the suspension or expulsion, and the length of the exclusion, is warranted.” WAC 392-400-430(3)
The new rules apply to both written policies and unwritten practices...
Full Article
The playground may be an important context to examine the social functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder. Previous literature on playground peer engagement has used quantitative methods, but there is limited research using qualitative observations to understand the nuances of playground behavior. Using a mixed-methods approach, 55 elementary school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder who are primarily included in general education settings were observed on the school playground using the Playground Observation of Peer Engagement...
Full Article |