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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:

Cities

Alexandria
Falls Church
Manassas
Manassas Park
Winchester

Counties

Visit other regional TTAC

Arlington
Clarke
Culpeper
Fairfax
Fauquier
Frederick
Loudoun
Madison
Orange
Page
Prince William
Rappahannock
Shenandoah
Warren

TTAC News Brief

NEWS BRIEF LINKING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT QUALITY PRACTICES IN THE EDUCATION OF ALL STUDENTS

September 2018

Is handwriting relevant in the digital age? Yes! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), for example, maintains that the visual-motor skills developed in handwriting are linked with academic achievement; therefore, it is important for teachers to address pencil grip and writing legibility (Chassiakos,2017). Furthermore, Graham, Harris, and Fink (2000) ascertain that students with unreadable handwriting lack a fundamental skill needed for expressing ideas in writing. Unfortunately, many students, including those with disabilities, struggle with handwriting (Mason, Harris, & Graham, 2013). Students’ difficulties in handwriting can interrupt the writing process and can interfere with intended meaning. Importantly, difficulties with handwriting may lead students to avoid writing and may lead them to believe they cannot write (Berninger, Mizokawa, & Bragg, 1991).

May 2018

QUOTE "Training teachers to understand bias will not eliminate it, but it could create an institutional environment in which it is clear that understanding bias and its effects is critically important. The long - term return on investment is inestimable."
– SORAYA CHEMALY

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Special Opportunity!

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.

Website resources

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