Parenting

Matthew Lynch published in Parental Involvement, Parenting, Special Education

What Parents Need to Know About Procedural Safeguards

Procedural safeguards define the ground rules for how you’ll work with the school if your child has an IEP or needs special education services. Here is a list of ten (10) significant procedural safeguards and what they mean for your child and you.

  1. Procedural Safeguards Notice

You must be given a written description of your privileges under IDEA and your state’s law by the school. This description or notice is provided to you as a printed procedural safeguards notice. You can also ask for a verbal explanation to aid further understanding.

  1. Participation of Parents

You have a right to participate in gatherings or meetings about your child’s education. You can also call an IEP team gathering at any moment.

  1. Permission to Access Educational Records

The right to see and access your child’s school records is also a procedural safeguard. Also, you can ask for revisions. These rights are safeguarded by IDEA and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

  1. Privacy of Information

The school is mandated to keep your child’s information confidential. Personal data, like your child’s name, location, social security number, and other private details should be treated as confidential. There are a few exceptions, though.

  1. Parental Consent

The school is required to notify you before assessing your child for special education services. You must also be informed of what it entails. You are also required to give your approval in writing before the school can proceed.

  1. Initial Written Notice

As a guardian or parent, you have to be provided a written report by the school before altering your child’s educational placement. It includes when the school plans to add or reject services. It must tell you what it chooses to do and why.

  1. Simple Language

When given a written report by the school, the school must use language that is understandable to the general public. The notice must also be in your native language.

  1. Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

If you do not support or agree with the school’s test results, you have the freedom to get an IEE. An IEE is a test of your child’s abilities and education needs by an independent evaluator. The school must assess the results of the IEE, even though the school isn’t compelled to acknowledge the findings.

  1. Stay-Put Protection

You can request stay-put protection in a situation where you oppose a change to your child’s IEP services or academic placement. Stay-put protection holds your child’s recent IEP in position while you and the school work out things, but you have to act quickly.

  1. Conflict Resolution Options

You have the right to disagree with the school concerning what’s best for your child, and IDEA gives you several conflict resolution choices.

You can choose to handle the dispute with the school amicably or use mediation, where an indifferent third party helps you and the school resolve the conflict. You also have the right to due process, which begins with a written complaint and ends with a hearing.

Lastly, you can file an objection with the Office for Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Education if you think your child has been discriminated against or treated unjustly.

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Matthew Lynch published in Early Childhood, Modern Parenting, Parental Involvement, Parenting

Selecting the Perfect School for Your Child

Choosing the right school for your kid can feel like a job. Frankly, with all the slashes made in the U.S. on educational budgets, you must be concerned about the quality of learning your child is getting. You may probably be considering different options for high school, ranging from home schools and online schools to private schools and charter schools. Most times, parents need help making this decision as the available options can be staggering.

So, what methods can you use to detect whether or not the present school is attending to your child’s needs? If the school is failing to do so, how do you find the perfect high school substitute for your child? Below are some tips

Does the Current School Meet Your Child’s Needs?

When analyzing the current high school and looking at possible alternatives, ensure that your considerations go beyond the present year to the years ahead.

•             If your child is currently battling with school work, can the school offer the needed support to improve the general classes?

•             Does the school push your child enough? Do they offer any advanced classes?

•             Do the school’s extracurricular programs match your child’s needs?

 Significantly, you should be sure that your child’s school is the most appropriate for the long run. That is where your child will grow and develop, and you should know how the school is likely to change over time. Does it move from being a loving and cherishing lower school to a difficult and competitive middle and high school?  Scrutinize every division before settling for the school.

Does Your Child Blend In At School?

Moving to a different school can be a tremendous decision, but your child would fail where he or she cannot blend in.

•             Does your child love to go to school?

•             Is your child socially active, involved and healthy?

•             Does your child partake in various activities and sports?

You should raise these same questions when considering new schools that are likely alternatives. It can be tempting to choose the most competitive school available; however, ensure that your child is going to blend in well there and that it would neither be too challenging nor too easy over time. Ensure that you do not force your child into a name brand institution that does not stimulate his or her interest and talents. Also, ensure that the classes meet the individual needs of your child.

Can You Bear the Cost of Switching Schools?

If the need to move to a different school is getting more pronounced, you must consider the time and cost of doing so. Although homeschooling is not expensive, it requires a lot of time. Alternatively, private schools require less time and more money. So what can you do? Ponder on these questions following proper research before making a decision.

•             As a parent, how much time do you have to invest in homeschooling your child?

•             Can your home serve as a suitable learning space?

•             What is the cost of your selected alternative?

•             Does the likely alternative require a tuition fee?

•             Are you required to purchase any vouchers?

•             Does moving to a different school need extra commuting, or will provisions be made for childcare and transport?

•             What impact will switching schools have on your family’s lifestyle?

•             Will you have to apply for financial support in a private school?

These are vital questions you must ask when going over the available alternative schools.

Choose What Best Suits Your Entire Family

Although every pointer might seem to tilt towards a private or homeschool as the best choice for your child, you have to think about the implications it can have on you and everyone else in the family. Even when the private school is just the perfect choice for your child, you will be creating a problem for everyone, including the child, if you switch him or her to that school when the cost is not affordable for you. Similarly, you may want to give your child home or online school experience, but you only do your child a disservice when you don’t have sufficient time to put into making sure the child learns properly. Carefully consider your options and make the best choice for the good of all.

If you conclude that private school is the best option for the child and everyone else in the family, then you should consider this guide on how to find the best private school. With tons of private schools situated in the U.S., there has to be one that goes well with your needs. Getting started can certainly feel overwhelming, but with these tips, you can make the most of your search.

Consider Hiring an Educational Consultant

At the point where you’ve concluded that the best and prime option is to switch to a private school, you might consider hiring a consultant. It’s okay to do the research yourself,  except that many parents feel lost and subdued by the entire process. They can get the help of a professional educational consultant. You will be grateful for all the expert advice and experience which this professional has to offer. Make sure the consultant has qualifications endorsed by IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association).

However, this is a paid service and middle-class families might not be able to afford the fee. But there is no cause to worry, you can handle this on your own.

Make a List of Schools

This is the exciting part of the process. A lot of private schools have websites that contain interesting photo albums and video tours, with enough information about the programs available. You can go through the internet with your child to find many schools you could add to your list. This is a great way to take the first step. We suggest that you add some schools to a list of favorites, so you can easily find them afterward. You can then have a serious discussion about each of the schools. On the Private School Finder website,  you can find thousands of private schools.

About selecting a school, you and your child must be fully aware of each other’s needs. Try as much as you can to take charge of the process. However, don’t force your ideas on your child, else he or she will not see reasons to attend a private school and will be reluctant to be at the school of your choice. Make a list of about 3 to 5 schools. You have to make realistic choices, and although you want to go for the best, you have to include at least one school where you can be sure that your chance of getting admitted is high. Also, you should consider whether or not switching to a competitive school is good for your child as highly competitive schools are not recommendable for everybody.

Visit Schools

This is essential. You cannot just rely on other people’s judgments or information from a website to learn about the school. So appoint a time when your child can visit the school. It will let the child get the right sensation for his or her possibly new home outside home. It also helps parents feel confident about where their child is.

Ensure you make personal visits and evaluate every school on your list. The schools will want to interview your child and convene with you. Still, you must meet with the admission folks and ask questions as well. It is meant to be a two-way lane. Don’t feel frightened by the interview.

During your visit to the school, pay attention to the things you can directly notice and have a clue of what the school considers important. Make sure you visit the classes and speak to both the teachers and the students.

•             Does the school appear to be the type of place your child can thrive in?

•             Do the teachers look capable of highlighting your child’s talents?

•             Do you think they are passionate about helping children learn?

Go for an admission event like an open house ceremony so that you get the chance to listen to top administrators like the headmaster or fellow parents. The headmaster can establish the setting for a private school. If possible, attend one of the headmaster’s speeches or read a publication made by him or her. By doing this research, you will get acquainted with the school’s missions and values. Don’t lay hopes on past theories about the school because schools change remarkably as the administration changes.

Some will let your child attend classes and in some boarding schools, they can even stay overnight. This priceless experience will give your child a clear understanding of what it feels like to be in that school, and try to imagine being there every day of the week.

Admissions Testing

An admission test has an incredible way of helping you determine which school is best for your child. By comparing your child’s test scores in the different prospective schools, you can decide which ones may be best to apply to, knowing that average test scores are being shared by these schools. If your child receives a relatively lower or higher score than the average score, you may have to speak to the school authorities to ensure that the academic workload doled out to him or her will be adequate.

Also, it is crucial to be ready for these tests. Although you have an exceptionally smart or gifted child, if he or she has never taken any practice tests, it will be difficult to perform well in the real one.  Don’t ignore this preparation step. It will help your child gain the edge that he or she needs.

Be Realistic

As tempting as it might get to fill up your list of prospective private schools with the lead schools in the country, it is truly pointless to do so. You should go for the school that is best for your child. Those top schools may not provide the particular learning environment that suits your child the most, and the provincial private schools may not be challenging enough for him or her. Invest quality time to find out what each school has to offer and what is required for your child to grow. It is pertinent that you choose the best private school for your child.

Apply for Admission and Financial Aid

Remember that selecting the school that best suits your child’s needs is only the initial step. You still have to get admitted there. While keeping in mind the deadlines for applications, try to submit all the application materials early. As much as possible, strive to turn in all application materials on time. In some schools, there are online portals where applicants can conveniently track their application progress and be aware of the missing pieces in order to meet up with deadlines.

Remember to apply for financial assistance. Financial aid packages are offered in most private schools. Make sure you find out if you think you will need the assistance.

After submitting your application, you just have to wait. Normally, acceptance letters are released in March, and admissions take effect from January to February. However, you will be given a deadline in April to respond to the school.

You don’t need to panic if your child is put on the wait-list. It wouldn’t take too long before you hear from the school, and there are tips on what you should do if you are waitlisted.

What did we miss?

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Matthew Lynch published in Early Childhood, Parental Involvement, Parenting

A Guide to Giving Clear Instructions to Your Kids

Are you looking for a guide to giving clear instructions to your kids? If so, keep reading.

1. Do not talk to the learner from across the classroom. Go to the learner, get their full attention, and then speak to him or her.

2. Urge teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, school officials, etc., to give the learner written instructions along with oral instructions.

3. To enable comprehension, urge the learner to ask for clarification of any directions, explanations, and instructions before starting a task.

4. Urge the learner to avoid ingesting any substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, cold remedies, etc.) that might further alter their capacity and ability to direct or keep attention.

5. Give recorded information from lectures and seminars. Create questions from these recordings for the learner.

6. Urge the learner to create a 30-second definition of their goal to help them remain on-task and focused (e.g., “I will listen carefully.” “The better I listen, the better I will perform”).

7. Urge the learner to create an understanding of the consequences of their behavior by writing down or talking through problems that may happen due to their need to have oral instructions and questions regularly repeated (e.g., not focusing on instructions may cause misinterpretation of a task that could lead to a lower grade and losing their place on the soccer team).

8. Select a peer to model excellent communication skills for the learner.

9. Urge the learner to say a mantra to themselves when entering a situation where they will receive instructions/instructions (e.g., listen carefully, listen carefully, listen carefully).

10. Do not criticize when correcting the learner; be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the learner to feel negative about themselves.

11. Create classroom rules: • Remain on-task. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

12. Create rules for listening (e.g., listen to instructions, ask questions about instructions if they are not grasped, follow the instructions, etc.). These rules should be applied consistently and followed by everyone in the classroom. Talk about the rules often.

13. Assess the appropriateness of requiring the learner to respond to oral questions and instructions without needing repetition.

14. Assess the visual and auditory stimuli in the classroom. Ascertain the number of stimuli the learner can tolerate. Remove the unnecessary stimuli from their surroundings.

15. Provide a signal to gain attention prior to delivering instructions orally to the learner.

16. Provide instructions in a straightforward, specific manner.

17. Provide the learner instructions to follow with no more than two or three steps (e.g., “Please open your text and turn to page 28.”). Instructions that involve several steps can be confusing and cause the learner to have difficulty following them.

18. Provide the learner one task to perform at a time. Present the next task after the learner has followed instructions and successfully finished the prior task.

19. Get a peer to help the learner follow oral questions and instructions.

20. Train the learner to ask for clarification if he/ she does not understand oral or written instructions.

21. Consider using a classroom management app to help the student learn to respond appropriately to instructions. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

22. Consider using Alexa to help you with classroom management. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

23. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

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Matthew Lynch published in Child Development, Modern Parenting, Parental Involvement, Parenting

A Parent’s Guide to an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

An IFSP is a document that organizes a plan for young kids who need early intervention services. It is customized for each kid, as well as including a plan for the family. For instance, when kids receive early intervention services, parents may also need the training to support their kids’ needs. Because an IFSP is customized for the individual, every IFSP will be distinct.

You’ve just found out your kid is eligible for early intervention. What’s next? An IFSP. An IFSP is a process you go through and a document that you and a team of specialists construct to assist you and your kid. In this article, we will discuss what you need to know about an IFSP.

Difference Between an IEP and IFSP

An IFSP is a blueprint that guides your efforts to boost your kid’s development up to age 3. An Individualized Education Program (IEP), on the other hand, is a plan for and for kids ages 3 to 21.

IFSP: A Plan for the Family

Think of the IFSP as the foundation—and a road map—for your family’s involvement with services. It lays out what services your kid should receive and what results you and the team hope to achieve for your kid.

A key tenet of early intervention is that services happen in an organic setting—where you and your kid feel most comfortable. This is your home, but it could also be a place like a community center.

The IFSP takes into account your kid’s present level of functioning. It focuses on what your family needs to best support your kid. What are your priorities for your kid and your family? The IFSP builds on the personal strengths of each family member. Together, this helps individualize the plan for your family.

You must give your consent in writing before the plan is formally enacted. You know your kid best. If you feel a service isn’t right for your kid, you can decline it at any time. This won’t hurt your kid’s chances of receiving other services.

IFSP Team

Who puts together the IFSP? The IFSP team must consist of:

  • You
  • Additional family members
  • An outside advocate
  • A service coordinator who administers the IFSP
  • Professionals charged with the assessment of your kid’s needs
  • Early intervention service providers for your kid or family

Updating the IFSP

The team reviews the IFSP every six months and must update it at least once a year. You and the team review your kid’s progress and your family’s situation together. This can help decide whether you need to make any changes in goals or other aspects of the IFSP.

You’re a major part of the IFSP process. Explore tips on what to include in an IFSP. The more info you know, the better prepared you’ll be to advocate for what your kid needs.

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Matthew Lynch published in Modern Parenting, Parental Involvement, Parenting, Psychology and Education

10 Disturbing Facts About Teen Dating Violence

According to Choose Respect (a national initiative), some dating patterns start early in life that cause violence throughout a person’s lifetime. This initiative aims to help youngsters in the age group of 11-14 years to keep away from abusive relationships.

Parents, teachers, and students in the US should be aware of the prevailing dating violence among teenagers in the nation. Based on the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eleven adolescents suffers from physical violence related to dating. The number of victims might be even more because most youngsters and adults prefer not to reveal their involvement in an abusive relationship. Besides this, some young people do not know what abuse is. If they are aware of the signs of abuse, they can avoid partners who mistreat them emotionally or physically.

Facts About Dating Violence Encountered by the Youth

The information provided by the Choose Respect initiative can enable the teenagers to understand the patterns of abusive relationships. In case they have encountered abuse, they will know that others have experienced the same thing, and it is possible to find someone who will respect them.

  1. Most teen dating violence takes place in the house of one of the dating partners.
  2. About seventy percent of young girls have suffered rape at the hands of someone they know, such as a friend, casual acquaintance, or boyfriend.
  3. About twenty percent of teenage girls said their partner threatened to harm themselves or commit violence if their relationship ended.
  4. About eighty percent of the young women who have been abused physically during dating continue to have a relationship with the abuser.
  5. Eighty percent of teenagers feel that verbal abuse is a severe problem.
  6. One out of three teenagers knows a peer or friend who has encountered violent actions like hitting, kicking, slapping, punching, or choking by their partner.
  7. Fifty-four percent of the students in high school have witnessed dating violence amongst their peers.
  8. About one out of five girls have been abused sexually or physically by their dating partner in high school.
  9. About one out of five adolescents have reported that they have suffered from emotional abuse.
  10. Every year about one out of four teenagers report physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse.

Ways to Combat Dating Violence amongst Teenagers

Teachers, counselors, friends, and parents should be vigilant about it. As soon as they notice any signs of abuse, they can talk to the victim.

Usually, abuse takes place in the houses of adolescents. So parents should watch the interactions of their children with their partners. They can forbid their partners from visiting them when there are no adults to supervise. If their child encounters dating violence, parents can provide therapy for them and inform law enforcement.

Parents’ relationships with their children play a significant role in preparing them for healthy dating partnerships. Youngsters who experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from caregivers, parents, or others might develop trauma. As a result, they may attract dating partners who are not safe. If parents love their children, treat them respectfully, and fulfill their emotional requirements, there will be fewer chances for them to enter into abusive relationships later.

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Matthew Lynch published in Literacy, Parental Involvement, Parenting, Reading & Literacy, Reading Education

Teaching Your Child to Read

Literacy is the most important skill that elementary school students can learn. Without the ability to read, it will be very difficult for a student to succeed in other academic subjects. Because of this, teachers cannot afford to make mistakes during reading instruction. The stakes are just that high. Prison officials calculate the number of cells that they will need based on the number of children that cannot read on grade level by 3rd grade. Think about that for a moment.

Why do they do it? Because if you cannot read on grade level by 3rd grade, you are at a very high risk of falling behind academically. If you can not read the subject matter presented to you, chances are you won’t be able to succeed academically. You will never catch up, and eventually, you will probably drop out, and end up in the school to prison pipeline. All because your reading ability never quite caught up with your grade level.

Are you a parent looking to teach your child to read, or supplement the reading instruction that their eacher is providing in the classroom. I just found this amazing video on teaching children to read on YouTube. Learn how to teach your child to read with research-based, modern strategies!

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Matthew Lynch published in Math Education, Parental Involvement, Parenting

Why Parent Number Talk is Critical to Early Learning

Number talk is the term used to describe the type of language and questioning used by adults to help young children acquire early math concepts. These short, daily exercises help children develop number sense, which is an intuitive understanding of numbers and mathematics.

Number talk is normally used in grade-level classrooms to help children understand number magnitude, the relationships between numbers, and how numbers can be modified by various operations. However, number talk is incredibly important for parents to utilize even before their children start school.

Number talk is critical to early learning

Most preschools don’t have children participating in number talk, and they especially don’t emphasize number talk. Reading is emphasized much more in the younger years. However, developing number sense is just as important as developing early reading skills. In preschool, most children learn how to count to ten. But this doesn’t involve number sense, just memorization. So it is often up to parents to initiate number talk with their children.

Researchers have identified nine types of number talk that parents can use with their children:

  1.       Counting
  2.       Cardinality (knowing the number of objects without directly counting)
  3.       Equivalence (understanding what makes things equal)
  4.       Nonequivalence (understanding what makes things unequal)
  5.       Number symbols (recognizing a number in written form)
  6.       Conventional nomatives (using numbers as titles, dates, labels, etc.)
  7.       Ordering
  8.       Calculation
  9.       Placeholding (place values such as ones, tens, hundreds, etc.)

Number sense can be developed through number talk in preschool years during regular play activities. When children are exposed to geometrical shapes during play with blocks and Legos, their number sense is being developed.

To use counting number talk, you may ask your child to count the number of Legos he has in his hand. To use nonequivalence number talk, you can ask your child if the three blocks you have and the five blocks he has are equal in amount.

Opportunities for number talk are also present where opportunities for counting are not. To use conventional nomatives in your number talk, you may ask your child, “What was your favorite part of Three Blind Mice?” If you want to use ordering number talk, you can ask him to order family members from shortest to tallest. Truly, there are opportunities for number talk at every corner.

Age-appropriate number talk

Number talk with your child won’t do much good if the number talk is not age appropriate. Number talk that is too simple or too complex for your child’s age will not help him develop foundational math skills.

Even infants can benefit from age appropriate number talk. A dad that plays One-two-three… peek-a-boo with his infant is actually utilizing counting number talk. However, an infant would not benefit from number talk that is too complex for his abilities, such as ordering number talk that would require him to order objects. Similarly, a six-year-old child will not benefit from simply counting the five objects in front of her.

You want your child to develop number sense and foundational math skills to help her succeed later in life. This can be done by using consistent, age appropriate, engaging number talk that can be interwoven in the activities of everyday life. Number talk isn’t simply a math lesson for your three-year-old. Instead, number talk is a playful, relationship-building technique that teaches your child to have an awareness of the math around her and a passion to learn more.

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Matthew Lynch published in Parental Involvement, Parenting, Teachers

How Do I Check the Status of an Educator’s Teaching Certificate?

We like to think of teachers as being altruistic, compassionate, and competent. But this is not always the case. There are tons of educators that give the profession a black eye. For instance, do you know whether your child’s teachers are certified to teach? If not, this could be an issue. Certification signals that a teacher meets the academic requirements of the position.

Also, do you not whether or not your child’s teacher has been reprimanded or faced disciplinary action because of inappropriate conduct? Of course, you don’t. You believe that just because a teacher has been hired by your local school teacher, they must ok. Maybe, maybe not.

For instance, many school districts start the year in desperate need of teachers. Especially to fill areas such as math, science, and social studies. If they can not fill the position, they will consider a candidate that has not proven that they are highly qualified. What do I mean by that? I am referring to people who have not passed their licensure exam, but they have completed a teacher education program.

Schools looking to fill a critical needs area may ask the state department of education to issue the individual a 1-year emergency license to teach. They can fill the position, and the teacher has one year to pass their licensure exam, or they lose their job. However, I have seen districts continuously ask for an extension for the teacher in question, and before you know it, this unqualified teacher has been teaching for 3-5 years.

When it comes to teacher misconduct, teachers fired by one district for inappropriate conduct may simply move to another district. If the next district doesn’t do its due diligence, your child could be in the presence of someone unsafe.

You need to be proactive as a parent and research the teachers at your child’s school. Not just the ones that they come in contact with on a day to day basis. You need to know if they are fully certified and if they have faced disciplinary action before. Luckily most states have a mechanism for doing so.

Many have websites that allow you to look this information up. Even if they don’t, you can call or visit the state department of education. This information is protected by the Freedom of Information Act, which means that anyone can request it.

For your convenience, I have provided a listing of states they have an online database that you can search. If you need to contact them directly to request this information, I have placed and N/A under the state’s name.

Alabama     

Teacher credentials lookup: https://tcert.alsde.edu/Portal/Public/Pages/SearchCerts.aspx

Alaska          

Teacher credentials lookup: http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/CertificationsSearch.cfm

Arizona       

Teacher credentials lookup: https://oacis.azed.gov/PublicOACIS/NormalPages/Educators.aspx

Arkansas     

Teacher credentials lookup: https://adeaels.arkansas.gov/AelsWeb/Search.aspx

California

Teacher credentials lookup: 

https://educator.ctc.ca.gov/esales_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEView=CTC+Search+View+Web

Colorado

Teacher credentials lookup: https://www.colorado.gov/cde/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx

Connecticut              

Teacher credentials lookup: http://sdeportal.ct.gov/CECSFOI/FOILookup.aspx

District of Columbia

N/A

Delaware

Teacher credentials lookup: https://deeds.doe.k12.de.us/certificate/deeds_decredsys.aspx

Florida

Teacher credentials lookup: https://app2.fldoe.org/publicapps/edcert/public.asp

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.myfloridateacher.com/discipline/summary.aspx

Georgia

Teacher credentials lookup: http://www.gapsc.com/Certification/Lookup.aspx

Hawaii

Teacher credentials lookup: https://htsb.ehawaii.gov/htsb-renewals/public-search.html?p1=0

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.htsb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/License-Actions_v2.pdf

Idaho

N/A

Illinois

Teacher credentials lookup: http://webprod.isbe.net/ELISInquiry/NormalPages/Educators.aspx

Indiana

Teacher credentials lookup: https://licenselookup.doe.in.gov

Iowa

Teacher credentials lookup:  https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/ppd/ 

Kansas

Teacher credentials lookup:  https://online.ksde.org/TLL/SearchLicense.aspx

Kentucky

Teacher credentials lookup: https://wd.kyepsb.net/EPSB.WebApps/KECI

Louisiana

Teacher credentials lookup: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416

Maine

N/A

Maryland

N/A

Massachusetts

N/A

Michigan

Teacher credentials lookup: https://mdoe.state.mi.us/MOECS/PublicCredentialSearch.aspx

Minnesota

Teacher credentials lookup: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/Licen/TeachLicLook/index.html

Mississippi

Teacher credentials lookup: https://sso.mde.k12.ms.us/Login/Login.aspx

Missouri

Teacher credentials lookup: https://apps.dese.mo.gov/HQT/CredentialListerChecker.aspx

Montana

Teacher credentials lookup: https://apps3.opi.mt.gov/MSEIS/NormalPages/Educators.aspx

Nebraska

Teacher credentials lookup: https://dc2.education.ne.gov/tc_lookup

Nevada

Teacher credentials lookup: http://nvteachersearch.doe.nv.gov

New Hampshire

Teacher credentials lookup:  http://my.doe.nh.gov/profiles/educators/search.aspx

New Jersey

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.state.nj.us/education/legal/examiners

New Mexico

Teacher credentials lookup: http://164.64.166.19/LicenInq/search.asp

New York

Teacher credentials lookup: http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CpPersonSearchExternal.do

North Carolina

Teacher credentials lookup: 

https://vo.licensure.ncpublicschools.gov/datamart/searchByNameNCDPI.do

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: 

http://stateboard.ncpublicschools.gov/legal-affairs/disciplinary-process/revoked-license

North Dakota

Teacher credentials lookup: https://secure.apps.nd.gov/dpi/ndteach/schoolstaff/publicSearch.aspx

Ohio

Teacher credentials lookup:  

https://coreprodint.ode.state.oh.us/core2.3/ode.core.EducatorProfile.UI/EducatorSearch.aspx

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: 

https://coreprodint.ode.state.oh.us/core2.3/ode.core.EducatorProfile.UI/DisciplinaryInfoView.aspx

Oklahoma  

N/A

Oregon

Teacher credentials lookup: http://www.tspc.oregon.gov/lookup_application/lookup_query.asp

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.tspc.state.or.us/discipline_list.asp?year=9999

Pennsylvania            

Teacher credentials lookup: http://www.teachercertification.pa.gov/Screens/wfSearchEducators.aspx

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: 

http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/Certifications/Pages/Certificate-Actions.aspx#.Vp5ofFQo6po

Rhode Island            

Teacher credentials lookup:  http://ecert.ride.ri.gov/public

South Carolina         

Teacher credentials lookup: 

https://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/current-south-carolina-teachers/view-licensure-status/

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://ed.sc.gov/policy/state-board-of-education/additional-resources/state-board-of-education-orders-of-disciplinary-action/

South Dakota

Teacher credentials lookup: https://apps.sd.gov/de04public/teacherlookup/teachersearch.aspx

Tennessee

Teacher credentials lookup: https://apps.tn.gov/eli

Texas           

Teacher credentials lookup: https://secure.sbec.state.tx.us/sbeconline/virtcert.asp

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: 

http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Disciplinary_Actions_Taken_against_Texas_Educators/

Utah

N/A

Vermont

Teacher credentials lookup: https://alis.edlicensing.vermont.gov/Protected/ADM/EducatorSearchMember.aspx?&TotalPerameters=5&LikePopup=N&URL=Protected/LIC/DOE/EducatorView.aspx

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://education.vermont.gov/licensing/disciplinary-actions

Virginia       

Teacher credentials lookup: https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/tinfo

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/license_actions.pdf

Washington              

Teacher credentials lookup: http://www.k12.wa.us/AboutUs/ContactUs.aspx.

Teacher disciplinary actions lookup: http://www.k12.wa.us/ProfPractices/investigations/DisciplinaryAction.aspx

West Virginia

Teacher credentials lookup: http://wvde.state.wv.us/contact.html.

Wisconsin

Teacher credentials lookup: http://tepdl.dpi.wi.gov/licensing/license-lookup-introduction

Wyoming

N/A

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Matthew Lynch published in Modern Parenting, Parental Involvement, Parenting

Homeschooling Your Gifted Child

Homeschooling has been on the rise for the past decade. In 2017, it was reported that 3.3% of the nation’s students, about 2.3 million students, were homeschooled. Although these numbers may seem small, they are a big jump from the 1980s, when homeschooling burst into the public consciousness in a big way, leading it to be legalized in 20 states.

There are many reasons parents choose homeschooling, ranging from parents’ desire to have more control over their child’s curriculum, those who prefer a religion-based education, to concern about a school’s overall culture and environment. But the biggest reason? A school’s inability to meet a student’s specific needs. Gifted children specifically fall under this category. Gifted children make up between 5-10% of children in the United States, many of whom, frustrated with the lack of resources and support from traditional schools, choose to homeschool.

Choosing to homeschool

It’s no secret that our education system has been dragging its feet in recent years. With budget cuts, overworked teachers, and unsteady and poorly planned programs, it’s no wonder many have chosen homeschooling, especially those with gifted children. Gifted children are often overlooked and misunderstood by the educational system. To begin with, educational policy dictates that giftedness is not tested until a child reaches third grade. This, says Marianne Kuzujanakis M.D., is simply too late. By the time a gifted child reaches that point, she argues, they may have given up academically and socially.

Because of the scope of giftedness, a gifted child may become bored or wrestle with the traditional curriculum. Gifted children also struggle socially when placed in an environment with traditional learners. The difficulties in forging social relationships may lead to a gifted child feeling isolated or outcasted. On top of the isolation they may feel socially, they may also feel unstimulated or frustrated academically. Therefore, waiting until a child is third grade to test for giftedness could potentially stunt them academically and socially.

Gifted children and their families also wrestle with the preconceived notion that the gifted do not need any aid or recognition. However, the reality is that giftedness is a spectrum; not all gifted children are equal, they do not have the same talents or abilities. This accounts for many parents and their frustrations with the educational system, who believe homeschooling is the answer.

The benefits of homeschooling the gifted are definitely present. Parents have the ability to create a curriculum based on the specific needs of their gifted child. This tailored curriculum will challenge them, pursue their interests, and focus them as needed. Additionally, the nature of such a fluid curriculum means that the gifted child can explore a subject as deeply as they choose. A child can also move at their own pace and allow for parents to give their child much needed one on one time.

Homeschool Methods

The essence of homeschooling means that parents will be building their education, their “school,” from the ground up; but there are a multitude of methods and approaches available.

Unschooling: Based on curiosity, this method has no set curriculum. Students pursue learning by following their own interests, finding their own resources, and working through educating themselves on their own.

Project-Based learning: In this method, the student will pursue a project and be solely responsible for examining its concepts and its completion. Topics (or questions) can range across all disciplines. Child and parent can work together to create a structure that suits the child, i.e. what resources to use, how long the project will take, and whether there will be a presentation.

Unit Studies: In this method, a theme or topic is chosen with the student and structured units and curriculum are created around it. These units can last weeks to months depending on parent and student goals.

Interest-Led Learning: Also known as Delight-Directed Learning, this method is similar to unschooling but lends itself to more structure. Hone in on a particular interest your child has and then pursue it from different angles or disciplines. For example, if your child loves insects, that should be your topic. Analyze the anatomy of insects or the different species of insects through Science. Paint, draw, color, or craft an insect through Art. Read fiction about insects through English. A field trip can even be created by finding an event or museum with an insect exhibition.

Homeschooling is diverse in what it can offer gifted children and their parents. Along with pursuing an education on their own terms, gifted children and their parents are able to do so from the comfort of their own home. The freedom and creativity of homeschooling allow both parent and student to explore and experiment with these different styles. Take notes of what methods and styles are effective. What about elements of those styles really clicked? Put all of these elements together to create a homeschooling method that uniquely belongs to your gifted child.

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Matthew Lynch published in Parental Involvement, Parenting

How to Know If You’re a Helicopter Parent… and How It Could Impair Your Child’s Development

As technology enables us to be more and more connected and aware of the often frightening happenings throughout the world, parents and educators are forced to take a closer look and more careful approach to safety. But could this heightened awareness and potential paranoia be promoting a type of parenting that actually hinders our children’s development and capacity to learn?

Helicopter parenting, defined by Dictionary.com as “a style of child-rearing in which an overprotective mother or father discourages a child’s independence by being too involved in the child’s life,” is largely a result of the aforementioned media-induced paranoia that leads to parents taking extreme measures to ensure their child’s “safety.”

An overemphasis on safety and the smothering effect of helicopter parenting, however, disable children from learning how to survive as independent beings, creating negative ripple effects into teenage years and adulthood.

A recent study presented by the American Psychological Association agrees that while it’s instinctual for parents to do whatever it takes to keep their offspring safe – a basic evolutionary practice – when taken too far, overprotection negatively impacts the development of emotional and behavioral regulation.

Take wild animals for example. It is common practice in the animal kingdom (of which we are a part) for mothers not only to raise their offspring closely and carefully for a set amount of time, but also to literally chase them off and outcast them when the children are ready!

Obviously, circumstances aren’t as “wild” for human children and outcasting is far too extreme and absolutely not recommended. Nonetheless, children need to be given enough independence, autonomy and space learn skills on their own, be creative and, at times, fail miserably.

So, what are some kinds of helicopter parenting and how can parents learn to adopt healthier patterns and relationships with their kids? Here are the basics.

Common behaviors of helicopter parents:

  • Anxiety or fear over sending your kids to school, daycare, sleepovers, camps or anywhere out of your sight
  • Persistent guilt any time your child fails at a task or gets unhappy
  • Going beyond societal and cultural norms to “guarantee” your child’s success
  • Doing tasks for your child that they are perfectly capable of completing on their own
  • Convincing your child to do and/or achieve certain things to suit your own ego and expectations

Behaviors of healthy parents:

  • Responding to your child’s failure with love and understanding, while guiding them to their own solution for the problem at hand
  • Giving your kids times to be creative and get messy, without an agenda
  • Setting basic rules and guidelines that keep kids safe without limiting their independence
  • Giving children a chance to self-regulate before jumping into “protection mode” at the first sign of discomfort, fear or other negative emotion
  • Practicing mindfulness habits for yourself and for your children

Are you curious whether or not your current parenting style could be classified as helicopter? Read this article to learn more about the four basic parenting types – of which the “authoritative” style is most likely to overlap with helicopter tendencies – and see which one sounds most familiar to the style present in your home.

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