August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 1 Expanded Core Curriculum: Strategies for Education, Employment, and Socialization Karen Blankenship, Suzanne Dalton, Karen Ross, and Mary Ann Siller

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 2 Contact Information Dr. Karen Blankenship, Nashville, TN Suzanne Dalton, Tampa, FL Dr. Karen Ross, Boston, MA Mary Ann Siller, Dallas, TX

3 National Agenda Goal 8 Statement August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 4 Explore New Worlds…. Goal 8: Expanded Core Curriculum All educational goals and instruction will address the academic and expanded core curricula based on the assessed needs of each student with visual impairments. National Goal Leader: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 5 Goal 8 EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM Compensatory Skills such as Communication Modes Orientation and Mobility Social Interaction Skills Independent Living Skills Recreation and Leisure Skills Career Education Use of Technology and Assistive Technology Sensory Efficiency Skills Self-Determination

Historical View Framework---- ECC is a critical component of the National Agenda: Goal 8 of the National Agenda What is the National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including those with Multiple Disabilities? National Agenda is framework of ten goal areas that guide educational services for children who are blind or visually impaired. Clear and concise vision and plan of action for the future of the education of children who are blind or visually impaired. Model for quality education. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 6

National Agenda History Presentation during an APH Annual Meeting (1993). An open letter to professionals and parents (1994). National forum established for future topical meetings. A national steering committee of four organizations formed. National Agenda established (1994). Five committees write goals. 19 goals are written (1994). Likelihood-Impact Analysis format used. Responses from professionals, parents, and consumers. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston7

National Agenda History… cont. Data from 500 responses analyzed. Eight goals are formed from 11 goal statements (2 more added years later) (1994). National Goal Leaders formed (1995). Advisory board formed. Endorsing organizations formed ( ). State coordinators lead the national network (1996). Publication of data. Publication of the National Agenda booklet (1995). ECC, Goal 8 Position Paper (1996). More and more publications of data, articles, website, and spin-off projects (ongoing). August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston8

ECC History Unique and specialized skills of blind and visually impaired students identified early 1900s. 1950s, brought with it an era of belief that the only need a visually impaired student had was adapted academic material so that she/he could learn. Federal Law Opportunities for equality grew. Decades of advocacy work, but No formal national platform for improving instruction in disability specific curriculum areas for children with visual impairments. Open letter to the field by Drs. Anne Corn, Phil Hatlen, and Everett Hill asking professionals to establish priorities for improving educational programming for children with visual impairments. National Agenda was formed. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston9

ECC History... continued 19 goal statements were sent to parents and professionals. Impact Analysis Study was used. (People were asked to rate the likelihood of each goal statement being achieved and its impact on the education of students with visual impairments). Eight agenda items (condensed from 11 goal statements). National Agenda Goal Leader Organizations formed. Goal 8 speaks to the Expanded Core Curriculum. Opportunity to be Equal and the Right to be different. Expanded Core Curriculum Position Paper developed by Goal Leader (TSBVI) by Goal Leader chair, Dr. Phil Hatlen. Goal Leader formed research on the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments (Goal 8). August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston10

ECC History… continued ECC became a way to organize communications, e.g., newsletters to parents, board reports, APH catalog. Goal 8 --ECC adds 9th content area with Self-Determination – December, 2003 (GITWL—Vancouver, BC). RECC developed as an online resource portal at Itinerant Division of AER directs ECC planning at AER International Utah. Expanded Core Curriculum Effective Instruction Project formed by AFB Education Department Components of the expanded core curriculum provide educators with a means of addressing the needs of visually impaired children with additional disabilities. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston11

ECC…. continued Five AER Divisions and AFB National Education Program partner to host ECC Division Day Chicago. Expanded Core Curriculum poised to become the unifying issue among educators for visually impaired students. New publications----EVALS published by TSBVI with assessment and curriculum standards are elevated. AER Itinerant Teacher Division hosts ECC Division Day Little Rock. ECC programming helps administrators understand the roles and functions of the TVI and COMS. ECC facilitates cross-agency and cross-disciplinary communications. ECC platform empowers professionals and parents to make changes (when state or government supports are not available). ECC content areas updated to show Sensory Efficiency (2008). August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston12

Opportunity to be Equal and the Right to be different Did You Know The expanded core curriculum needed by visually impaired students is still not available to many students? Visually impaired students are often placed in existing and easily available educational settings without regard for the setting that would best meet their needs? Under and Unemployment is still higher than for the general public? Scenarios are Changing New Cross-agency and Cross-disciplinary Communications New Trends August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 13

ECC Studies What we know from research: Two national surveys were completed (National Agenda goal 8 and AFB ECC 2007 writing Cadre) for both parents and professionals to determine the understanding, value of, and implementation of the ECC content areas. Results surveys indicate that there is a greater value and understanding of the ECC and while implementation has increased it is still not at the level that would indicate all children and youth have access to quality instruction. Another study was conducted by August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 14

ECC Studies… continued Agran, Hong, and Blankenship to collect similar information regarding one area of the ECC; Self-Determination (SD). Results of this study indicated a high level of understanding and valuing of SD and reports of large number of IEPs that reflected SD goal areas but most were not implemented by TVIs or COMS. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston15

Lifelong Impact Not a “one size fits all” model unless it’s tweaked to meet individual needs of students at various ages and stages in their development. While the ECC defines essential skill areas for all students, needs may become more visible and/or urgent during early teen years. Transition is a lifelong process – elements of the ECC can apply for all ages. Not just for kids! One area that overrides all others for developing potential for independence at ANY age? Positive outcomes for education, employment, recreation, communication and independent living. Common sense. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 16

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 17 Why Should Your State Accept This Mission? To improve communication among all those involved in the education of students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities. To create better understanding of roles, responsibilities and relationships among students, parents, teachers, administrators. To develop opportunities for constructive collaborations among providers. To prevent reinvention and duplication of services. Because it’s the right thing to do for the benefit of our students!

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 18 Building a Crew Establishing trust among the members Breaking down boundaries Discussing differences Recognizing similarities Being willing to expand the crew as necessary Building consensus regarding state’s priorities

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 19 The Crew Identify the “Star Fleet Command” for your state (representatives from other planets and life-forms): State Department of Education Itinerant Teachers – public, charter, and private schools Special Purpose Schools for the Blind Parents of children in different programs (NAPVI Chapters, NFB parent organization, etc.)

The Crew, cont. State Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Community & Agency Programs, such as Carroll Center for the Blind, Lighthouse, Easter Seals, etc. Consumer groups Instructional Resource Centers for the Blind or Visually Impaired - AIM Federal Deaf-Blind Project University Personnel Preparation Programs AER or other professional organizations August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 20

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 21 Alien Life Forms Ensure that ALL children’s interests are addressed Infants, toddlers, and Pre-K School-age 3-22 Students who are deaf-blind Students with additional disabilities Students in public, charter, and private schools Students enrolled in special purpose schools Those transitioning to postsecondary

An Agency Response to ECC Carroll Center Education & Rehabilitation Continuum Itinerant Programs 3-22 years of age CarrollKids Programs 6-16 years of age YIT Program for years of age Real World of Work Program Computing for College Program Array of Adult Services both on-campus and in the community Collaborations with LEAs, state agencies, and universities All services blend to promote independence in learning, living, working, recreating and communicating Potential for successful outcomes for students at ALL ages can be increased by using the ECC model as a guide for program planning August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 22

From Take-Off to Landing Develop meaningful and relevant curricula Align with state frameworks Hire qualified staff and provide supports Maintain focus on the student, not the task – pay attention! Fit the program to the student – individualize! Be flexible – Plan A, B, C… Engage parents, peers, school personnel Keep expectations high – believe! Evaluate and document Progress is not a linear path - bumps, detours, delays are inevitable August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 23

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 24 Moving On to A Southern Galaxy! ECC in Florida

Florida’s Crew Florida Department of Education (DOE) Florida Division of Blind Services (DOE/DBS) Florida State University (FSU) Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) FSDB Outreach Services Florida Families of Children with Visual Impairments Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) Florida Outreach Project for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind Lighthouse of Central Florida Hillsborough County Public Schools August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 25

ECC in Florida Career Education training addressing o Effective transition from middle school to high school and beyond o On-going cooperative summer programs (8 years) sponsored by school systems, private agencies, state rehabilitation agency, and employers that allows students to experience on-the-job training and consider possible careers August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 26

Exploring Careers… Summer in the Job Market August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 27

Florida Outreach Project for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind Several states annually collaborate to host an event for youth with deaf- blindness and their families. Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas National Consortium on Deaf- Blindness, Helen Keller National Center, and the American Association for the Deaf-Blind August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 28

SE Regional Deaf-Blind Teen and Young Adult Retreat Teens participate in workshops, learning self-determination, leadership, career, and adult life planning skills, all while developing community with other young people who are deaf-blind. August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 29

ECC in Florida Assistive Technology training on AT devices, AT curricula, sourcing for accessible texts, AT assessment Compensatory Skills training on creating tactile graphics, learning media assessment, literacy instruction for students of all abilities, mathematics planned this year August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 30

ECC in Florida Visual/Sensory Efficiency Skills training on functional vision assessment for all students including those with additional disabilities and use of low vision devices Social Skills/Recreation and Leisure training highlighting VIP 2 Orientation and Mobility training on how O & M can support ECC August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 31

32 Establish Action Plan August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 33 Requesting Permission for “Take-Off” Gather agreements from Commanders of each organization Share responsibilities of hosting the meetings Plan your meetings with agendas and organization updates

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 34 Allies and Ambassadors Establish friendly relationships with nearby planets Appoint Ambassadors Use the strengths of your crew. Avoid wormholes and black holes! Be flexible, but stay the course. Consensus is key!

Create Goals Specific to Your Planet! August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 35

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 36 Establish a Timeline Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize Set realistic incremental goals—stay organized Make student/client folders Don’t forget to involve the student. Report back as to progress at each meeting Continue to update and revise action steps as needed

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 37 Create Action Steps (Beam me up, Scotty….) Detail the steps taken to achieve each goal Assign responsibilities to agencies –not people Keep the goal the focus Use communication techniques such as google.docs/ google.groups Identify what CAN be done

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 38 Mission Accomplished? Not yet! Plan ImplementAssess Modify

August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston 39 Space Dock: Maintenance is Key! Chart your progress. Stock supplies. Make sure everything is in running order. Celebrate accomplishments.

40 Final Destination For our students and clients to … (as Spock would say) August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston

41 LIVE LONG AND PROSPER August 12, AER Regional Conference/Boston