The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will provide free special education products for educators through a new initiative for military-connected schools.
The program, sponsored by DoDEA’s Educational Partnership Branch, includes 16 special education training modules and is available for any school supporting military families.
“Much of this training was developed for use in DoDEA schools,” said Kathy Facon, Chief of the Educational Partnership. “After receiving a resoundingly positive response from DoDEA teachers, it was decided to make these high-quality modules available to military-connected local education agencies as well.”
The modules cover a broad spectrum of topics including mediation and conflict resolution, classroom behavior management strategies and effective strategies for students with mathematic difficulties. There is also a module on autism spectrum disorders.
The modules are supported by facilitator guides that provide additional resources for each module, including implementation and evaluation content.
Schools that serve military families can order the training modules by calling 703-588-3156, or by visiting DoDEA’s Educational Partnership at www.militaryk12partners.dodea.edu.
In addition to the modules, the Educational Partnership offered two face-to-face professional development seminars in Washington and North Carolina. Both sessions were well attended by local school personnel. An estimated 400 participants received training with additional training provided for 50 of the participants who expressed desire to be facilitators for the program.
Ann Almlie, Director of Special Education, Clover Park School District attended the training in Washington.
“The resources and materials provided were of the highest standards and current with the research and pedagogy in the field of education, Almlie said. “Administrators, teachers, paraprofessional and related service staff came away with useful strategies that they could immediately implement with students.”
Additional face-to-face training is planned for the summer of 2011.
“The nature of the modules makes them valuable to individual teachers seeking to gain knew knowledge and skills, or to schools and LEAs seeking to implement the specified practices collectively,” Facon said.
For additional information about the training or products, please visit our website at www.militaryk12partners.dodea.edu.
DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality, public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.