A news brief linking people and resources to support quality practices in the education of all students
For the 2013-14 school year, we have updated the format of our TTAC newsletter. All subscribers will now receive a news brief of information and resources via email once a month from September through May, excluding December. Each news brief will highlight a key topic in education related to supporting the learning needs of all students.
Higher quality learning results from the intrinsic motivation of self-determination. Motivating students to want to learn is an outcome you can count on when students relate learning to their own wants and needs. When students learn to identify their needs, they are able to learn strategies and problem solve in ways that will benefit them throughout their school careers and, ultimately, throughout their lives. (Source: Increasing Student Success Through Instruction in Self-Determination (2004) American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/research/action/success.aspx )
Be ready to support students’ efforts to be self-determined by visiting I’m Determined, the website of the Virginia Department of Education Self-Determination Project (www.imdetermined.org). You will find practical and valuable tools for teachers when you go to the Educators tab at the top of the page There are nine tabs to help you navigate through tools and resources for elementary and secondary levels. Click on the “Getting Started” tab at the top of the page to find:
Needs Assessment tool
Checklists
Rubric
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Exit Assessment(s)
“Use data from these assessments to target areas of need for the next IEP and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to increase student participation in the IEP process. Educators can use this information to plan for changes within their own classrooms. The student, parents, and educator use this information to assist in making decisions regarding the strengths and needs of individual students. Information from these checklists can be used to report current levels of performance and used to formulate and evaluate IEP goals. Combined and compiled results from all of the individual assessments can be used to lead discussions and action plan for school or districts.” http://www.imdetermined.org/educators/getting_started/
Interested in learning more? The six I’m Determined modules are a great place to get set! Each one contains information, links, and resources that will allow you to learn more about how the project has come to be what it now is.
IMD Good Day Plan: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imd-gooddayplan/id806307411?mt=8
The IMD (I’m Determined) Good Day Plan is a simple tool to empower students, especially individuals with disabilities, and educators. The Good Day Plan allows students and teachers to better communicate with each other while planning out a good day, ultimately allowing students to overcome challenges in the learning environment.
IMD Goal Setting: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imd-goalsetting/id787426976?mt=8
The I’m Determined Goal Plan is a simple tool to empower students, especially individuals with disabilities, and educators. The Goal Setting app allows students and teachers to better communicate with each other by identifying the student’s goals, steps toward planning and execution, while identifying people who can support these efforts along the way.
IMD One-Pager: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imd-onepager/id731547213?mt=8
The I’m Determined One-Pager Plan is a simple tool to empower students, especially individuals with disabilities, and educators. The One-Pager allows students and teachers to better communicate with each other. The One-Pager enables students and teachers to identify areas they can work on together, ultimately allowing them to overcome challenges in the learning environment.
Web sites
I’m Determined, the website of the Virginia Department of Education Self-Determination Project, shares information, tools, and resources about self-determination. www.imdetermined.org
National Gateway to Self-Determination is a university-based leadership consortium working to develop, support and share evidence-based practices and resources related to self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities. http://www.ngsd.org/
This news brief is a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Centers at George Mason University and James Madison University. This issue was prepared by the staff of the VDOE TTAC at James Madison University. For questions about the content, please contact John McNaught or Amanda Armstrong Randall at 540.568.6746.
