Statewide Program/Instructional Resources

RDSPD Peer Review Process

RDSPD Peer Review Training Video
Peer Review FAQs (pdf)

The RDSPD peer review is a reflective tool to assist districts with the continuous improvement process. This video provides an overview of the RDSPD Peer Review Process and information necessary to help review teams prepare for an effective visit. Programs wishing to conduct a peer review are asked to contact John Bond at john.bond@esc20.net. Limited funds are available to reimburse travel for review team members.

All programs received a free copy of the RDSPD peer review kit at the October 2008 administrators' meeting in Austin. Programs wishing to purchase additional copies may visit the ESC-20 Products web page for ordering information.

Deafness 101 Modules

These downloadable modules and web-based videos are designed to be downloaded by deaf educators to provide general training to general educators and parents of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.  The purpose of this project is to provide foundational knowledge about working with students who are deaf/hard of hearing. These modules will also available as a free online course at www.esc20.net/workshop with a target release in November 2009.

Module 1: Introduction to Hearing Loss
This module introduces general educators to deafness and focuses on the educational implications a hearing loss has on accessing instruction.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a basic understanding of hearing loss and its impact on access to education
• Explore strategies and modifications to provide the child with hearing loss access to the educational environment
• Learn about current technological interventions that aide children who have hearing loss and the limitations of these technologies

Module 1 Slides	Module 1 Presenter Notes

Streaming Audio Link:

Module 2: Instructional Considerations
This module introduces general educators to classroom strategies to assure access to instruction. It focuses on access to instruction (communication and classroom arrangements), instructional strategies, etc.

Learning Objectives: 

• Explore instructional strategies and modifications for students with hearing loss in the general education classroom
• Identify means for providing equal access to instruction for the student with hearing loss in the general education classroom
• Understand the impact of noise in the classroom on the student with hearing loss
• Develop an understanding of the unique vocabulary and language needs of the student with hearing loss

Module 2 Slides	Module 2 Presenter Notes

Streaming Video Link:

Module 3: Personal and Classroom Listening Technologies
This module provides general educators an overview of hearing aids, classroom amplification systems, and cochlear implants. The module talks about classroom considerations and offers suggestions for assuring students have access to instruction.

 Learning Objective:

• Learn about current technological interventions that allow students with a hearing loss to access the educational environment with greater ease

Module 3 Slides	Module 3 Presenter Notes

Streaming Video Links:

Slide 42 Help Lights & LED Messages
In this video, an audiologist describes the indicators and error codes that show when there is a problem with a cochlear implant.

Slide 44 Troubleshooting a Cochlear Implant
In this video, a teacher uses the Ling Six Sound Test to check how well the cochlear implant is functioning.

Slide 45 Checking Cochlear Implant Batteries
In this video, a teacher listens to the sound quality of a processor and encourages to assume responsibility for maintaining the device.

National Resources

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) is an international organization that is focused on the needs of children who use auditory approaches to communicate. The association also addresses a range of issues of importance to people with hearing losses of all ages. The website includes a variety of parent and teacher resources.

Council on the Education of the Deaf (CED) is a national organization that facilitates informational sharing and collaborative activities within the field of Deaf Education.

National Association for the Deaf (NAD) is a national organization representing people who are Deaf in the United States.

S.E.E. (Seeing Exact English) Center is an organization that works with parents and educators to promote early identification and intervention, the development of improved English skills, relay information on deafness and related topics, and promote the interaction of the child and family with both the deaf and hearing communities.

Technical Assistance/Resource Centers

Gallaudet University Regional Centers offer extension courses, training workshops, and technical assistance to address the educational, transition, and professional development needs of deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood. Families and professionals also benefit.

Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet) is the national collaboration of the four Regional Postsecondary Education Centers for Individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The goal of PEPNet is to assist postsecondary institutions across the nation to attract and effectively serve individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Transition and support topics are covered. Materials to assist with presentations are available.

Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center hold the congressional charge to develop, evaluate, and disseminate innovative curricula, instructional techniques and strategies, and materials. The aim of the Clerc Center is to improve the quality of education for deaf and hard of hearing children and youth from birth through age 21. The following link provides an index of the Clerc Center's content. (http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/index-dept.html)

Other Topic-Specific Information

IDEAs That Work is a website that is maintained by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). OSEP, directly through its partners and grantees, develops a wide range of research-based products, publications, and resources to assist states, local district personnel, and families to improve results for students with disabilities. Some of the resources available on this website include "Tool Kits on Assessing Students With Disabilities" and "Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)."

Idea.ed.gov is a website maintained by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and serves as a "one-stop shop" for resources related to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA).