Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center at George Mason University
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The Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) at George Mason University (GMU)
... is part of the statewide system of Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) TTACs. Specialists provide professional development that focuses on improving academic outcomes for students with disabilities through targeted technical assistance (TA) to schools. The goal is to help school personnel gain knowledge and skills to prepare students with disabilities for graduation with a diploma or completion of an appropriate program, and successfully prepare them for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
TTAC at GMU in Region 4 provides assistance to the following school divisions:
NEWS BRIEF LINKING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT QUALITY PRACTICES IN THE EDUCATION OF ALL STUDENTS
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 solidified the mandate for specially designed instruction (SDI) as part of a student’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). According to IDEA Sec. 300.39 (2004), special education, “(s)pecial education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including...
The mission, of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Department of Special Education is to, “provide children with disabilities the knowledge and skills they need to live, learn, work, and participate in communities of their choice with the maximum amount of independence as possible.”
VDOE’s “Profile of a Virginia Graduate” includes revised graduation requirements for a standard or advanced diploma in the Commonwealth. The revisions require high school students to demonstrate proficient workplace and citizenship skills. Similarly, students graduating with an applied studies diploma graduate “life ready” by completing the requirements of an individualized education program (IEP), which includes individualized post-secondary transition goals..
Visit a Co-Teaching Demonstration Site in Region 4
The Virginia Department of Education has identified 22 co-teaching demonstration sites through the Excellence in Co-Teaching Initiative, including 5 at elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in Region 4. These demonstration sites provide opportunities for co-teaching partners throughout the state to observe inclusive practices in action. The co-teaching teams at the demonstration sites share their co-planning, co-instructing, and co-assessing practices that support successful outcomes for all students.
For more information about the Excellence in Co-Teaching Initiative, or to arrange a visit to one of these model sites, please contact Dr. Diane Loomis, VDOE TTAC at GMU at dloomis@gmu.edu.
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