Your Learning Network April 2017

Your Learning Network

April 2017

Feature Article

ASCD's Whole Child Tenets and Your School

Policy Note
Special Education and the Supreme Court

Upcoming from VASCD
PreK/Kindergarten Conference June 19

Is Yours a Whole-Child School?

ASCD and its Virginia affiliate, VASCD, actively promote policies and programs that align with whole child education. But what is that exactly?

ASCD defines five "whole child tenets". These goals must be achieved by schools, communities, and families working together to support the success of students of all ages. ASCD's whole child page includes background information and resources to help schools and communities determine and address the needs of their students as they relate to these five tenets:

Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
Each student learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
Each student is challenged academically and prepared for success in college or further study and for employment and participation in a global environment.

Interested in learning more about ASCD's whole child resources
and how they might be helpful to your school? Contact Laurie McCullough at vascded@gmail.com.

Special Education and the Supreme Court

On March 22 the Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in the case of Endrew F. v Douglas County School District. The ruling states that a student's IEP goals must provide the student with "meaningful benefit", not just "some benefit".

The case was brought by a Colorado family who withdrew their son from public school and enrolled him in private school after they found his fifth-grade IEP goals to be very similar to those from previous years. With targeted behavior therapy and other supports, the student began making progress. The Court found that Drew's original IEP goals had been insufficient to give him an equal opportunity to succeed as any other student.

This audio story and transcript from NPR gives a good summary of the Court's finding.

Join VASCD for our 2nd PreK/Kindergarten Conference!

Age-Appropriate Classrooms

for Young Learners

June 19 2017
Marriott at City Center, Newport News

Information and registration