NCWD/Youth Guideposts Inform ED Priorities

The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education has proposed a priority on transition services to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes to youth with disabilities. The February 15 Federal Register Notice builds on the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s and the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth's Guidepost for Success and cites the definitions section of the NCWD/Youth website.

This priority will be used under the Special Demonstrations Program administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The full Federal Register notice can be found here.

Nominations for New Freedom Initiative Award

The Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor is seeking nominations for the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. 

The nominees must be individuals, businesses, or non-profit organizations whose activities exemplify the goals of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which include the Office of Disability Employment Policy's mission of increasing employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.

Nomination must be submitted by April 30, 2007. Visit the website for details and nomination requirements.

New Online Resource from the National High School Alliance

Resource Guide for Action: Transforming High School for All Youth. The Resource Guide for Action, created by the National High School Alliance, is designed to help policymakers and practitioners take action around the six core principles of A Call to Action: Transforming High School for All Youth.   The Call to Action is the High School Alliance’s framework of principles and recommended strategies to guide leaders at all levels in transforming the traditional, comprehensive high school so that all youth are ready for college, careers, and active civic participation.

The National High School Alliance is a partnership of over 50 leading organizations that share a vision for a nationwide commitment to fostering high academic achievement, closing the achievement gap, and promoting civic and personal growth among all young people in our high schools and communities. To access the Resource Guide for Action or A Call to Action, please visit www.hsalliance.org.

Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities: Parents' Materials

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education has released a CD version of the Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities: Parents' Materials, designed to assist parents and states in their efforts to work together to raise the achievement of all students with disabilities.

The Parent Tool Kit compiles materials identified to augment the previously released CD, Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities, and offers a collection of resources on the same substantive areas addressed, including assessment, instructional practices, behavior, and accommodations. These new documents were written specifically for parents and include information they need as they work with schools to ensure that their children are receiving a quality education. The material may be downloaded here.