Lets look at some journals.

Hey there ya'll,

    So I absolutely loved this weeks assignment, I love the use of journals for research. The journal I read was a study about the use of quality IEP's to enhance state standardized testing. Although the study concluded that the grandeur of the IEP had no weight on the state test I still learned a lot about what the a proper IEP should look like and read like.  It gave me lots of things to further research and insight into things I already knew. The reason I like the use of articles so much is that they give us a perspective of our chosen research from peers. They are not renowned authors they are peers or colleges in our chose field of study. We are the future of our chosen field and journals like the ones we read this week can really help us gain a much deeper perspective in our career world. My journal gave me a whole new viewpoint and drive to study the world of effective IEPs on the international level. There is a vastness of knowledge that we have to even begin to tap into.

Hey Ya'll,

   So wow this weeks assignment proved to be even more difficult then the last. As I was doing my research I found it hard to find  E-books on IEP's, and Special Ed Law. I found this to be a little dis-consorting in that I feel this is a subject where there should be unlimited number or resources with the need for special education on the rise.  I looked through lots of different online resources and then finally reached out to my mentor. Dr. Margret Dalton, she told me to seek the experts in the field of special ed and special ed law. So off I went on a journey bound and determined to find the answer, and I found it. Peter W.D. Wright Esq, has been the lead authority on Special Ed law since 1993, when he battled the Florence County School District Vs. Shannon Carter, and won over the Supreme Court with a unanimous vote in Shannon's favor. He has been writing laws and IEP standards since then. 

    In the book All About IEP'S  I learned so much about how to produce a proper IEP and was able to see into the world of IEP's from a different perspective. I learned lots about the difference between effective and ineffective IEP's and how to be a teacher and an advocate. I truly think this is an essential book for both general education, special education teachers and parents. This book gave wonderful in-depth scenarios on how to resolve conflict with IEP's and scenarios to put the whole process in a new perspective.  This book will prove to be a major asset in my library and my studies. I do have to say though throughout this week I didn't really enjoy the online reading of books. I love the feel of a book and the ability to highlight and change the pages as I please. I did find this assignment to be very difficult and as I said before I had to reach out to my mentor and seek her advice. I really hope everyone else found their subject to be one of ease. Have a great week all... 

Hey again YA'LL, I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and has been able to find lots of research on there topics. I have to admit I had a hard time but wow did I learn a lot. I thought I knew enough for my topic but man was I wrong. The two pages I chose to continue my research on came from two different levels of special education. I chose them because I felt they had the most to offer my studies. There is such a vastness to the world of special education that I could never really fully do enough learning and research .

  My first article was directed to the School Districts and educators of children special needs putting the focus on the importance of the IEP and specific transition programs set forth by the states. It also went into detail about the importance of educating the families as well as the child. I thoroughly enjoined the emphasis they put on the IEP process for this is where it all starts. My second article was directed to the young adult about to transition out of the high school setting and into the college. These students are higher functioning and are capable of achieving all the goals they set for themselves. This article taught me how to help students and families set these goals and give the tools necessary to do so. I really feel both of these gave me a deeper insight into the world of the IEP process. I feel this is where I need to put my focus. Parents and students need to understand the IEP process and how is can benefit them in life after high school.

I have now decided to put my research focus to IEP's and Special Ed law perspective (IDEA).

Here are the links to the articles I chose:
 http://www.ldonline.org/article/12609/
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/transitionplanning-2011.htm


Happy researching and have an amazing week.

Hey Ya'll Its Peggy Ann

       Hi ya'll My name is Peggy Bell but most people call me Peg or Peggy Ann because it has a nice southern ring. I am a small town girl from the great state of Oklahoma and proud of it. I grew up in a large household having 3 brothers and 2 sisters the youngest having down syndrome. I always loved having a large family and believe it helped mold me into the woman I am today. In August 2005 I swore into the United States Navy and served 8 wonderful years to my country. I just started at Brandman this term and couldn't be happier. I am majoring in Liberal Studies continuing on to Special Education. I hope to one day be at the forefront of creating early intervention,  inclusion,  and transitional programs used nationwide. I would like to run my own respite care facility like the JD McCarty Center in Norman Oklahoma, focusing on military dependents, and maybe even create a post secondary transition school that is not a group home . I have many aspirations and cant wait to see them come to life. I am beyond determined to do these things and the passion burns brighter everyday.


     The one passion I would like to pursue the most would be transition programs. I believe this to be one of the most important parts of a special education students life. Being that this is considerably one of the biggest changes they will make, and not doing it right could potentially lead to devastatingly irrevocable regression. I would like to see what programs have and have not worked in the past, so that I along with others might be able to improve the process. I would like to see stronger programs and more focus on this area as students and their families prepare for life beyond high school. This program should include students and their family. Educating the whole family could have a profound outcome for everyone.

     I would like to consider myself a fairly good researcher. I could however get better at citing my work and double checking my research. I love to have random information stored in my brain and love to research everything I can. If I face something I don't know I research it right away. When I was in the Navy the called me "the go to answer girl" I love learning new things and love being able to put it to work. My mom used to have me help her research for school and it struck a passion in me.