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I. Materials for Teleconference 7

a. Excerpts from the NCEO 2003 Survey of State Directors of Special Education

b. Articles from the National Governor's Association:
http://www.nga.org/center/schools/

In particular, see "Knowing the Right Thing to Do: School Improvement and Performance-Based Accountability," from the first of a series of Framing Papers by  Richard Elmore of Harvard University, which looks in detail at two schools classified as low-performing in their states and draws lessons from the experiences of these schools for state policies regarding school improvement and accountability.
http://www.nga.org/cda/files/0803KNOWING.PDF

Also, see "Reaching New Heights: Turning Around Low-performing Schools" - A Guide for Governors," that provides a policy framework for turning around schools and highlights best practices from states, districts, and schools.
http://www.nga.org/cda/files/0803REACHING.PDF

The NGA Web page includes additional articles that may be of interest.
http://www.nga.org/center/schools/

Panelists for the November 3, 2003 Teleconference

Research Panelist
Sandy Thompson, National Center on Educational Outcomes

State Practitioner Panelists

Colorado: Janet Filbin and Terri Rogers-Connolly from Exceptional Children Services

New York: Candy Shyer, Supervisor of Special Education Policy

New Partners: NCAC and the Access Center

The National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC)

The National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC) is a collaborative agreement between CAST and OSEP established to provide a vision of how new curricula, teaching practices, and policies can be woven together to create practical approaches for improved access to, participation in, and progress within the general curriculum by students with disabilities. NCAC is committed to helping educators implement the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with consideration for existing educational goals, methods, materials, and assessments.

NCAC partners include Boston College, CAST, CEC, the Harvard Children's Initiative at Harvard Law School, and PACER. NCAC has developed partnerships with The Access Center and with the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) to build capacity and provide TA&D support beyond the scope of the NCAC research to practice activities.

To learn about the work of NCAC and review the available research literature reviews:
http://www.cast.org/ncac

A summary listing of effective classroom practice, curriculum enhancment, teacher practice, and policy documents is available:
http://www.cast.org/ncac/index.cfm?i=3117

To learn about Universal Design for Learning and review the resources available to educators (including the accessible full text of "Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age", ASCD, 2002:
http://www.cast.org/tes

To learn about the work of the panel for developing a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS):
http://www.cast.org/ncac/nff 

To learn about the activities and services provided by CAST:
http://www.cast.org

NCAC Contact:

Chuck Hitchcock
Chief Education Technology Officer, CAST
and Director, National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC)
CAST, Inc.
40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3
Wakefield MA 01880-3233 

EMAIL chitchcock@cast.org      
TEL   (781) 245-2212 x233
FAX   (781) 245-5212
TTY   (781) 245-9320

The Access Center: Improving Outcomes for All Students K-8

The Access Center is a national technical assistance and dissemination center (TA&D) funded by OSEP, housed at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). We are moving into our second year of operation.  The Access Center is designed to help states and districts learn about research and evidence based programs, practices, and tools that can help students with disabilities access and learn in the general education curriculum (grades K-8). We are seeking to accomplish this through three TA services: 

1. Direct TA Consultation (intensive technical assistance tailored to individual state or district needs);

2. Information Sharing Communities (states and districts coming together in ongoing communities to share their challenges and success stories, connecting each other to good resources, etc.)

3. Web-based Services (on line services include chat sessions, threaded discussions, video conferences, posted products, etc.)

In supporting these activities the Center employs staff who serve as TA Liaisons.  Some of our staff overlap with the What Works Clearinghouse, also housed at AIR. Key partnerships include CAST, the Regional Resource Centers, and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Our website is http://www.k8accesscenter.org/ and contains informational briefs, frequently asked questions, and other resources related to topics such as early reading, research to practice, and universal design for learning.