Tiger Mom: A Filipino Chinese Mother writes a Self-parody of her Parenting Style

Amy Chua is a Filipino Chinese Yale professor and known for her book "The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother". She is now popularly known as the "Tiger Mom".

According to Amy Chua, the goal of the book is to write a memoir which is also a self-parody. However, the book became a controversial book because of some of the parenting practices applied by Amy Chua. Not only is her expectations of her children really high for example no grade lower than A but her application of negative reinforcement is kind of extreme making her children "practice piano and/or violin for 3-6 hours non-stop every day" and "calls them names" and these are the kind of names that can actually break a child's self esteem. TFC Channel came up with their news about the Tiger Mom since Ms. Amy Chua is Filipino Chinese.



Because of these disparaging stories, where some call Ms. Amy Chua's parenting practice as "cruelty to children", amazingly this is what made the book a requested book as an audiobook and in print. Some critics say to read the book just as a form of entertainment. However as Stephen Colbert joked in his show "The Colbert Report", the cover of the book can be forgotten and many people might actually misinterpret the book as a Parenting book or a book that promotes that Eastern Mothers specifically Chinese mothers are better mothers than Western Mothers particularly those from the US.

Either way, I do not plan to buy the book because I have a way to download the book for free as an audiobook (the legal way) and if after reading the book I find it entertaining I might actually buy it to support a fellow Filipino.

Still, since this book was done for entertainment here is something I found from youtube which is a parody of this very controversial self-parody.



To see Ms. Amy Chua's interview with Stephen Colbert at the Colbert Report Show, you can see the video following the link below.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/372156/january-25-2011/amy-chua

The article below is what Time Magazine printed about the parenting style applied by Ms. Amy Chua
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2043313,00.html#ixzz1C0LHeTPr

PNB Global Filipino Scholarship : A College Grant for Children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)

Last January 24, 2011, I read a supplementary article from the Inquirer entitled "Wanted: Global Filipino Scholars". I am intrigued by the availability of scholarship grants here in the Philippines so I read on. If I must say, I like everything I read.


The article is an announcement about a project launched by the Philippine National Bank or PNB as part of its corporate social reponsibility of PNB. . The project is called Global Filipino Scholar which will provide scholarship grants to 20 qualified incoming college students. Each PNB Global Filipino scholars receive upto 100,000 of educational support every year as college tuition.

To qualify for the PNB Global Filipino Scholar grant, the applicant's chosen field must be in the area of business, finance, marketing, computer science or any banking-related course.

The requirements to qualify for the program are as follows:
1. Incoming college freshman for schoolyear 2011 to 2012
2. Must have passed the qualifying exam in any of the PNB Global Filipino partner schools
3. Grade weighted average of 85 percent
4. No failing mark for the third year or fourth year subjects in highschool

As for the parent of the PNB Global Filipino Scholarship applicant:
1. The applicant's parent must be a PNB client who is currently as an OFW
2. The OFW parent must be using PNB remittance service in the last six months

Once accepted in the Scholarship program, the successful PNB Global Filipino Scholar will be given a PNB Savings Account from where the grant will be deposited at the start of every school semester or trimester.

The PNB Global Filipino partner schools for this scholarship includes:
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Ateneo de Naga University
De La Salle Lipa
Don Mariano State University La Union
Notre Dame Cotobato
Notre Dame Koronadal
Notre Dame General Santos
Siliman University in Dumaguete
St. Louis University Baguio
St. Paul University in Quezon City
University of San Carlos Cebu
University of St. La Salle Bacolod
University of the East
University of the Philippines Baguio
University of the Philippines Diliman
University of the Philippines Manila
University of the Philippines Mindanao
University of the Philippines Visayas
Xavier University in Cagayan De Oro

To get an application form and to find more details about the PNB Global Filipino Scholar, check out http://www.pnb.com.ph/scholarship/index.php

Sources: Inquirer Magazine "Wanted: Global Filipino Scholars" B3-1 January 24, 2011
http://www.pnb.com.ph/scholarship/index.php

Alternative Medicine/Techniques: Less Abrasive Treatment for AD/HD Seminar on February 4, 2010 organized by the ADHD Society of the Philippines

This is an invitation letter sent from the University of the Philippines Diliman Specia Education Division.

The ADHD Society of the Philippines will hold a lecture on “Alternative Medicine/Techniques: Less Abrasive Treatment for AD/HD” on February 4, Friday, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Walter Hogan Conference Hall, ISO, Social Development Complex, Ateneo De Manila University, Quezon City.

Lecture:

Alternative Medicine/Techniques: Less Abrasive Treatment for AD/HD
Resource Speaker: Dr. Nelson Kraucak

February 4, 2011 / 1:30 am to 4:00 pm
Room 5, Walter Hogan Conference Hall , ISO, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City

Dr. Nelson Kraucak, known as Dr. K among his patients, is a renowned family practitioner who has been practicing alternative medicine for almost two decades. He is one of those Medical doctors who follow the teachings of conventional medicine. He has been successful in proving that two medical practices can efficiently work together and he proved this by combining the knowledge he gained at his medical school along with his innate understanding of the body’s natural healing ability. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida Medical School in Orlando. He did his internship in the field of Internal Medicine and Residency in Family practice at Albert Einstein Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York City. Board Certified in 1993. He founded the Life Family Practice Center in 1995. This center is popular for treating people who are looking forward to experiencing the benefits of alternative, holistic and natural healing methods. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and holds certificates by the American Board of Holistic Medicine, International Board of Anti-Aging and Longevity, Heavy Metal Detoxification, and Immuno Modulation.


Registration Fee:
Pre-Registration: on or before February 3)
Member: P200
Non-member: P300

On-site Registration
Member: P400
Non-member: P500

LIMITED SLOTS. Pre-registered participant may pay to AD/HD Society of the Philippines, Banco de Oro, S/A Account No. 20070024330 on or before February 3, 2011. Please fax deposit slip with the names of the participants at TF 927-3463 and bring it on the day of the seminar for issuance of receipt. No refund will be given to pre-registered participants who did not show up during the seminar. On-site participants will be entertained depending on availability of slots.

For inquiries, please contact the ADHD Secretatiat:

RM 110 ISO Building, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, Q.C.

Tel Nos (02) 426-8568, TF 927-3463, (0918) 9079159

Email address: info@adhdsociety.org Website:www.adhdsociety.org

If you want to get a copy of the Registration Form in .doc format, leave a comment of your request in the comment box and then e-mail me at specialeducationphilippines@gmail.com.

I am asking you to leave a comment so I know if I have to check my mailbox since I check it only like twice a week (If I feel like it). As for e-mailing me, this is to protect your information so that spammers won't have spam your mail.

Training on Deaf Human Rights and Legal Access by Philippine Deaf Resource Center

This is a letter sent by the Philippine Deaf Resource Center last November 23, 2010. I got this source from Dr. Therese Bustos of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Special Education Department. Teacher Therese as many calls Dr. Bustos is a well-known advocate of the deaf.

Please note the deadline stated in this letter is December 2010. However, according to Dr. Bustos this letter was just sent to her. So if you want to apply as a participant in the training, do call 9218521 to ask for details.

If in case the application is indeed extended and you are interested to apply, leave your e-mail details in the comments box below so I can send you the word format/.doc format of the application form.

Good luck!

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We would like to inform you that the Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC) will be conducting a Deaf Human Rights and Legal Access Training on different Knowledge Development Center (KDC) sites between November 2010 and March 2011. This is part of the
project “Strategies for attaining legal access and safeguarding human rights of the deaf in the
Philippines” funded by Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), in partnership with Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) and its affiliate member organizations, and Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (IDEALS), and World Bank - Knowledge for Development Centers (WB-KDC).

The Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC) in the previous years had spearheaded the
project “Equal Access to Communication for the Deaf in Legal Proceedings,” one of the winning entries in the 2nd Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace of the World Bank 2006 Panibagong Paraan Grant Competition. This project was funded by the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) through the Asia Foundation which provided various forums for lawyers and the general public and the publication “Full Access: A Compendium on Sign Language Advocacy and Access of the Deaf to the Legal System.”


To continue the efforts of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC) with regard to Deaf
human rights and legal access, a series of trainings will be conducted with the following
objectives: to increase awareness and provide training regarding human rights of the deaf
among Deaf and hearing advocates in each region. The training will consist of two parts: prevideo conferences wherein modules and assignments will be sent to each participant and video conference sessions where different participants in each region will go to the University KDC site and will be connected via videoconference with project legal consultants transmitting from the World Bank- KDC in Ortigas, Pasig.

In connection with this, we would like to invite you to apply as a participant for the training. It is our aim to bring together individuals from various backgrounds (i.e. Deaf, hearing, academe, non-government organizations, and local government units, government agencies) to learn from the training and to strengthen advocacy for the deaf.

Please find attached the application form for the training. The deadline for application is on
30 December 2010. Accomplished forms may be submitted by express mail to PDRC office at
#27, K-7th Street, West Kamias, Quezon City 1102, or may be emailed to deafhrlatraining@gmail.com or sent by fax at (63-2) 921-8521. The PDRC Selection Committee will be selecting the qualified training participants. If you are successfully chosen as one of the training participants, we will notify you through text message and email. Further instructions such as the venue of the KDC site in your area and the dates of the actual video conference will be sent to you through text and email. If you have questions, please get in touch with Ms. Jonnabelle Asis, Training Coordinator for hearing participants (Smart) 09209068861 or Ms. Melissa Rabang, Deaf Training Coordinator at (Globe) 09166087873 or Ms. Naty Natividad, Project Manager at (Globe) 09266742794, (Sun) 09329601151.

We look forward to receiving your application form. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
ATTY. ROSARIO OLIVAS-GALLO
Lead Legal Consultant
Deaf Human Rights and Legal Access Training

Noted by:
DR. LIZA B. MARTINEZ MARITES RACQUEL CORPUZ
PDRC Director PDRC Project Leader

Contact Details:
27 K-7 Street, West Kamias, Q.C. 1102 Tel/Fax 921-8521 Mobile (Globe) 0927-528-8662 (Smart) 0918-497-5542
pdrc@phildeafres.org www.phildeafres.org
Philippine Deaf Resource Center

ABOUT THE TRAINING FACILITATOR AND TRAINING CURRICULUM DEVELOPERS
Training Facilitator and Writers

ATTY. ROSARIO OLIVAS-GALLO is a litigation lawyer. She is the legal counsel for the Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC), Support and Empower Abused Deaf Children (SEADC), and Filipino Deaf Women's Health and Crisis Center (FDWHCC).
She is the Vice Dean of the College of Law at the De La Salle University. She is specializing on women's rights, children's rights, and rights of persons with disabilities. She is also a member of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). For five years, she was Chief Executive Officer of Christian Solidarity Worldwide - Hong Kong (CSW-HK), an international human rights organization that speaks up for persecuted Christians. She teaches criminal procedure and special proceedings at the College of Law of the University of the Philippines. She received her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of the
Philippines.

ATTY. MELISSA BANZON is an Associate Lawyer, Migrants' Defense Program of the IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc.). She formulated a legal framework to regularize thousands of undocumented migrant Filipino workers in Sabah, Malaysia (featured in the Business Mirror, April 5, 2010). She wrote an analysis on the legality and constitutionality of posting the identities of top illegal recruiters with pending warrants of arrest. She drafted the Executive Order giving migrant Filipino workers majority representation in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Board of
Trustees. She was commissioned by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies to write critique on Philippine migration laws and policies. She represented migrant Filipino workers in complaints for illegal dismissal and recruitment violations against recruitment agencies. She held free legal clinics for migrant Filipino workers in Sabah, Malaysia and Hong Kong on labor, immigration, family and property law issues.

ATTY. MARWIL LLASOS is an Associate Lawyer, Land Rights-Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, of the IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc.). He is a professorial lecturer at the Siena College of Quezon City, a professor of Law, Centro Escolar University School of Law and Jurisprudence; a lecturer at the Training and Convention Division, Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman; and also a lecturer at the Institute of Government and Law Reform, Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman. He is an instructor at The Manila Times Institute for Paralegal Studies. He wrote the Module on the Urban Development and Housing Act (Part I); Manual for Paralegal Training of Urban Poor Leaders, Institute of Human Rights; Synthesis on Farmers’ Rights as Human Rights and Human Rights as Human Rights, Proceedings on the Round Table Discussion on Farmers’ Rights as Human Rights, Institute of Human Rights and Southeast Asia Research Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE).

For more information about Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (IDEALS) visit their website at http://www.ideals.org.ph/


Deaf Consultants
MS. MELISSA RABANG is the Deaf Training Assistant, Deaf Human Rights and Legal Access Project. She is a graduate of Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies major in Multimedia Arts at College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University.


MR. RAPHAEL DOMINGO is the current adviser of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf-Youth Section and the former President of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. He is a graduate of Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies at College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University. He was the Project Coordinator of World Federation of the Deaf- Asia and the Pacific in 2008 for the Global Education Pre-Planning Project on the Human Rights of Deaf People.

Contact Details:
27 K-7 Street, West Kamias, Q.C. 1102 Tel/Fax 921-8521 Mobile (Globe) 0927-528-8662 (Smart) 0918-497-5542
pdrc@phildeafres.org www.phildeafres.org
Philippine Deaf Resource Center

WORLD BANK - KNOWLEDGE FOR DEVELOPMENT CENTERS DIRECTORY LIST
KDC NAGA
Ateneo de Naga University KDC
James O'Brien Library, Ateneo Avenue
4400 Naga City, Bicol
Contact person: Gemma Lee Nebres
Tel: (63-54) 472-2368 local 2131
KDC Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday; 9:00 AM -
2:00 PM, Saturday

KDC ILOILO
Central Philippine University KDC
GF Henry Luce III Library, Lopez Jaena Street
5000 Jaro, Iloilo City
Contact person: Dimpna C. Castigador
Tel: (63-33) 329-1971 local 1012; 321-3714
KDC Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM,
Monday - Friday; Saturday by special arrangement only


KDC COTABATO
Notre Dame University KDC
University Library
Notre Dame Avenue 9600 Cotabato City, Maguindanao
Contact person: Sonia dela Cruz
Tel: (63-64) 421-9942; 421-2698 local 325
KDC Hours: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday; 7:30 AM -
5:00 PM, Saturday



KDC PUERTO PRINCESA
Palawan State University KDC
Graduate School - Law Building, Manalo Campus,
Valencia Street
5300 Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Contact person: Marilou Nambatac
Tel: (63-48) 434-2707
KDC Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM,
Monday - Friday;
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturday



KDC TUGUEGARAO
Saint Paul University Philippines KDC
3F Learning Resource Center, Mabini Street
3500 Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley
Contact person: Ronald Sumait
Tel: (63-78) 844-1863, local 119
KDC Hours: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday; 8:00 AM - 5:00
PM, Tuesday - Saturday



KDC DUMAGUETE
Silliman University KDC
University Library
6200 Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
Contact person: Gemma Plasabas
Tel: (63-35) 422-6002 local 517; 422-7208
KDC Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM,
Monday - Saturday;
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday



KDC CEBU
University of San Carlos KDC
University Library
P. Del Rosario Street 6000 Cebu City
Contact person: Concon Cabarron
Tel: (63-32) 253- 1000 local 126
KDC Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Monday - Saturday



KDC DAVAO
University of Southeastern Philippines
Inigo Street, Obrero 8000 Davao City, Davao del Sur
Contact person: Resty Macarayo
Tel: (63-82) 221-0084, 225-4726 local 223
KDC Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 - 5:00 PM, Monday;
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Tuesday - Friday; 8:00
AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday



WORLD BANK KDC
GF The Taipan Place, F. Ortigas Jr. Road
(former Emerald), Ortigas Center
1605 Pasig City
Contact persons: Vincent Abrigo
Tel: (63-2) 917-3034
Fax: (63-2) 636-2866
KDC Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday - Friday
Web: www.worldbank.org.ph/kdc



*For Manila-based participants, please choose one batch number for your preferred dates of training.
DEAF HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL ACCESS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF TRAINING – Manila Based
BATCH* PRE-VC1 PRE-VC2 PRE-VC3 VC1 VC2 VC3
BATCH 1 Jan 5 (W) Jan 6 (Th) Jan 7 (F) Jan 11 (T) Jan 12 (W) Jan 13 (Th)
BATCH 2 Jan 12 (W) Jan 13 (Th) Jan 14 (F) Jan 18 (T) Jan 19 (W) Jan 20 (Th)
BATCH 3 Feb 2 (W) Feb 3 (Th) Feb 4 (F) Feb 7 (M) Feb 8 (T) Feb 9 (W)
BATCH 4 Feb 9 (W) Feb 10 (Th) Feb 11 (F) Feb 14 (M) Feb 15 (T) Feb 16 (W)
BATCH 5 Feb 25 (F) Feb 28 (M) March 1 (T) March 2 (W) March 3 (Th) March 4 (F)


**For participants from other regions here are the training dates.
DEAF HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL ACCESS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF TRAINING – Manila Based
KDC Site ** PRE-VC1 PRE-VC2 PRE-VC3 VC1 VC2 VC3
KDC Dumaguete Dec 9 (Th) Jan 13 (Th) Jan 27 (Th) Dec 10 (F) Jan 14 (F) Jan 28 (F)
KDC Naga Jan 5 (W) Jan 6 (Th) Jan 7 (F) Jan 11 (T) Jan 12 (W) Jan 13 (Th)
KDC Davao Jan 12 (W) Jan 13 (Th) Jan 14 (F) Jan 18 (T) Jan 19 (W) Jan 20 (Th)
KDC Tuguegarao Feb 2 (W) Feb 3 (Th) Feb 4 (F) Feb 7 (M) Feb 8 (T) Feb 9 (W)
KDC Palawan Feb 9 (W) Feb 10 (Th) Feb 11 (F) Feb 14 (M) Feb 15 (T) Feb 16 (W)
KDC Cebu Feb 25 (F) Feb 28 (M) March 1 (T) March 2 (W) March 3 (Th) March 4 (F)

Disney College Program - Looking for Bright, Imaginative Interns

Apply to participate in paid internship opportunitiesat the Disneyland® Resort or the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Are you looking for an opportunity to:

• Gain real-world experience, learn transferable skillsand grow personally and professionally?

• Network with Disney leaders, build your résuméand learn how to market yourself to future employers?

• Design a curriculum that explores your interests, enroll in classes and possibly earn college credit?

• Attend exclusive events, make new friends and have fun?

The Disney College Program is an experiential learning and earning opportunity that can open doors to the future, as well as create friendships and memories that last a lifetime. While working in theme parks and hotels at the Disneyland® Resort or the Walt Disney World® Resort, this unique internship program offers participants the chance to live and earn while they learn and gain skills that will be invaluable to their future.

Disney College Program recruiters are looking for bright, ambitious students for internships starting in the Spring of 2011! The Disney College Program is open to all college students in any major and at any academic level.

To learn more and apply, view our online E-Presentation at disneycollegeprogram.com.

Upon visiting the website http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneycollegeprogram/

The advertisement is still live with the following details:

Are you a college student who is looking for:
A paid internship opportunity that will stand out on a résumé?
A chance to work with world-renowned leadership and gain useful, transferable skills?
A custom-designed learning curriculum that offers opportunity to gain college credit?
An opportunity to meet people from around the world, make lifelong friends, and have fun?
As a part of the Disney College Program at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California, or Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, Florida, participants can take part in the internship of a lifetime.
While working in front line roles at our Theme Parks and Resorts, participants will network with leaders, learn transferable skills, gain real-world experience, and be a part of a team of Cast Members from hundreds of job disciplines.
Participants on the Disney College Program also custom design a learning curriculum that best suits their needs and interests, complete education courses and specialized learning activities, and can possibly earn college credit while doing so.
Each program offers its own unique opportunities, so get started today by exploring which is best suited for you!

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I remember Randy Pausch said that once he dreamt to be an Imagineer for Disney. He did apply and was let down by a letter but did not stop him from dreaming. I know some of you who might be thinking but this is in the US specifically in Florida! But that is not the question here? Did you see anything in the requirements that said "Open only to US Residents". No siree, there is none like that? It says looking for bright college students who want to work in Disneyland. If that is what you desire then go for it. Don't stop believing!

Reminiscing Spongebob's Big Wave at Global City Taguig Philippines

I love Spongebob. My child, his best buddy and I went to Spongebob's Big Wave at Global City Taguig Philippines in 2009. I just remembered I haven't posted the Big Wave pictures yet after I received a link to play a Spongebob bowling game from a friend. Why am I posting the Big Wave pictures now? Simply because my child will be celebrating his tenth birthday soon and we went to see Spongebob Squarepants Big Wave celebration which was also Spongebob's tenth birthday that time.

We qualified for an entry at Spongebob Squarepants Big Wave Event by buying P500 worth of Spongebob's merchandise at SM North Edsa. After that we went to the event and fell in line at the special guests lane. Those who were not able to buy merchandise can still get in provided that they fall in line early because it will be a first come first served basis until the area is full capacity. But when you have several children begging to enter, I find it hard for the staff to say no.

Spongebob Land: The Big Wave

The place was jam-packed with activities to do. The area was big to accommodate a LOT of kids. The children liked to go back to several activities like the murkey bars, the shower shack and the surf 'n slide. There are other activities also wherein you can play and even win prizes.

Map of the Big Wave Grounds

Spongebob's Big Wave Slides

Spongebob's Big Wave Murkey Bars

Spongebob's Big Wave Surf N Slide

Spongebob's Big Wave Shower Shack

Spongebob's Big Wave Jellyfish Jam

The event was ended with a Big Wave concert where shared to us Spongebob's album with its carrier single "Best Day Ever". To listen to the song, check out this Youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nftlSvU1hgQ

Big Wave Concert: Featuring Best Day Ever Song

The kids and I were so tired after the Big Wave event but it was everything Spongebob promised, Best Day Ever!!!

Hoping there will be an event from Nickelodeon as great as this again soon this summer 2011.

Best Day Ever at Spongebob's Squarepants Big Wave

To play Spongebob's bowling game for free, this is the link shared to me by my friend Kat:
http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/full/ap/3040935/graphic1.swf

Eight steps to a successful IEP meeting - Legal Rights & Advocacy | GreatSchools

The post "Eight Steps To A Successful IEP Meeting" was obtained from http://www.greatschools.org/ with a subheading of "A parents' guide to strategic planning for children on the autism spectrum" written by Wayne Steedman.

What caught my attention about this article on IEP is that it is written for parents hence the subheading says "a parents' guide". Note that the word used is "parents" meaning for both mothers and fathers and that it gives emphasis that parents have also to be guided in the making of an IEP to make it successful. Although this is written for parents whose children have autism I still wanted to get the general viewpoint of the author. I find majority of the suggestions useful not only to parents whose children have autism but to all parents whose children require an IEP or who has children with special needs.

So here goes are the Eight Steps to A Successful IEP Meeting (in a nutshell)

STEP 1: Learn, learn, learn
The adage “knowledge is power” is more true than ever when it comes to your IEP meeting. You are already an expert on your child; now make yourself an expert on your child’s disability. Keep in mind that the definition of an expert is someone who knows more about a subject than the other people in the room. Make a list of the books and articles you have read as well as any presentations you have attended, and bring it to the meeting with you.


STEP 2: Organize and prepare
Be sure you have your child’s complete school file, including old IEPs and assessments. If you are unsure whether your file is complete, request to see the school’s file on your child. Upon written request, a school must provide you access to your child’s file. If you find documents that you are missing, ask for copies.


STEP 3: Building your own team
Parents are often at a disadvantage in IEP meetings because they have to rely on the reports and expertise of school personnel and school system representatives far out number them. If the parents can afford private assessments, it is strongly recommended.


STEP 4: Evaluating progress
It is important for you to know how to evaluate your child’s progress using empirical methods. There are several ways to do this. Charting assessment results is often the easiest and most graphic way to plot progress. To do this you will have to develop a basic understanding of standard scores, percentiles, and grade equivalents. You will want to compare composite scores and subtest scores using percentiles, standard scores, and grade equivalents. A chart or graph showing your child’s decline or lack of meaningful progress over time can be a very effective means of convincing the IEP team that your child needs more intensive services or a different type of program. Goals that are repeated year after year indicate that a child is not making progress. Hence, charting goals over several IEPs may reveal a lack of progress even when school personnel report sufficient progress being made. Comparing goals involves not only looking at the wording of the goals but also the criteria for mastery.


STEP 5: Evaluating the draft IEP and other documents
In reviewing the draft IEP, first break it down into its components: present levels of performance, supplementary aids and services and classroom modifications, goals (and objectives or benchmarks if your state requires them), transition goals if your child is 16 or over (or younger depending on your state’s law), hours of special education instruction and related services, and placement. Present levels are discussed in Step 4. Be sure they contain complete information including information provided from your private assessments. In this same section should be a “parent statement.” It may not be in the draft IEP so you should prepare a statement that comprehensively addresses your concerns. You are not restricted by the space provided on the form. If you have multiple paragraphs or even pages, ask that they be attached to the IEP.


STEP 6: Final Preparations
Once you have reviewed the draft IEP the next step is to make necessary revisions to it or draft a whole new IEP. Your “experts,” the team you bring with you to the IEP meeting, can help you with the revisions. Follow the same rules in drafting your revisions as noted in Step 5. Create a pre-meeting checklist to include final organization of your file; written confirmation with your team of the date, time and location of the meeting; a letter to the school to inform them of your intention to bring outside individuals to the meeting; and verification that the meeting will include a review of the private evaluations you have sent by checking the notice letter. Send the IEP revisions you have made to the school as soon as you can. The meeting will likely move far more efficiently if the school team knows in advance what changes you would like to make to the IEP. It is not always possible to get your revisions to the team in advance. It is a lot of work to do with limited time in which to do it. If you can not get your revisions to the school in advance, try to give them advance notice that you have concerns about their draft IEP and will bring suggested revisions with you.


STEP 7: The IEP meeting
Prior to the start of the IEP meeting, you should determine who among your team will be the primary spokesperson. That does not mean that no one else can speak but having a designated person to convey your team’s position helps with efficiency and avoids confusion. It is very difficult to take complete notes and participate in the team discussion at the same time. It is not unusual for memories to differ on what was said and even decided. School teams often want to focus immediately on the new IEP. Before doing that, “close out” the existing IEP. Close out means to obtain a final report of progress made on each goal. Was the goal achieved and if not how much progress was made? A goal that was not achieved should be continued on the new IEP, albeit with a higher baseline if the child made any progress. As noted in Step 4, progress on goals should be reflected in the present levels. Disagreements are not uncommon but arguments should be. Treat all members of the team with respect. Raised voices and clenched fists accomplish nothing but make you look unreasonable. If you disagree with someone’s comment or assessment, express your disagreement in a calm and reasonable manner. I find it useful to start such comments with “I respectfully disagree...” It is important, however, to note your disagreement for the record. Although the goal is to avoid a due process hearing, if you are unsuccessful you do not want the school to claim at the hearing that you never disagreed with their assessments or the IEP. The outcome of the meeting and placement decision should be clearly stated in the IEP. Anyone looking at the IEP should be able tell exactly what services the child will receive and where he will receive them. Many schools will provide a written summary of the meeting. If the school reviews the summary at the meeting be sure that it accurately reflects not only the decisions made but any disagreements.


STEP 8: Follow-up
Regardless of the outcome of the meeting, send a letter to the IEP chairperson that summarizes the meeting. If the school provided a summary at the meeting, identify what parts of the summary you agree and disagree with and why. Whether the outcome of the meeting met your goals or not, thank the IEP chairperson and school team for the work they did in drafting the IEP. If the school team drafted an IEP that met your expectations, thank them for their cooperation and collaboration. If the final IEP fell short of what you had hoped, it is important to identify in detail all aspects of the IEP with which you disagree. If you eventually file for due process, your letter could be an important piece of evidence. So be careful and take the letter very seriously. I recommend having at least one other member of your team review it prior to sending it.


About the author:
Wayne Steedman is a co-founder and President of Callegary & Steedman, P.A., a law firm located in Baltimore, which primarily focuses on disability law. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Law School and the School of Social Work, and has practiced law for 19 years with his primary focus on special education. Wayne has represented his clients in due process hearing, state and federal court, and the Third and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He has presented nationwide on special education law and written numerous articles which have been published on-line and in print journals.

To read the article in full, follow the link below:
Eight steps to a successful IEP meeting - Legal Rights & Advocacy GreatSchools

ABA HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FEB 2011 for 30 participants only

This is a repost from an invitation sent by the Special Education Department, College of Education, University of the Philippines.


Applied Behavior Consultants Inc in cooperation with Philippine Association for Behavior Analysis, Inc. and a child can foundation, inc. brings

ABA HANDS ON WORKSHOP FEB 2011

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP IS

LIMITED TO 50 PARTICIPANTS ONLY!!!

VENUE: Room 5, Institute of Social Order, Ateneo De Manila University, Loyola Heights, QC

DATE: February 21-24, 2011

PLS RESERVE NOW: L501-505. Level 5, Shangri-la Plaza Mall,

EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City

Telephone no: 6389116 Telefax: 6359343 or Mobile no.: 0917-8175275

Topics of training/workshop by Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. shall include the following:

· Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the Pyramid Elements (theory behind PECS)

· Functional Communication including Verbal Behavior

· Behavior Excesses and Replacement Behaviors

SPEAKERS

Rick Gutierrez, MS, BCBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 10 years of experience in the treatment of individuals diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Mr. Gutierrez holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and a Masters of Science degree in Behavior Analysis from California State University, Los Angeles . Mr. Gutierrez has served as Program Manager, Regional Director, and currently as the Clinical Administrator of Southern California services for Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. As Clinical Administrator Mr. Gutierrez coordinates ABC services with multiple regional centers and school districts and is responsible for overall staff clinical support throughout the region. Mr. Gutierrez has given numerous workshops on ABA throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia . He is level II certified in Teaching through Acoustical Guidance (TAG). He specializes in Verbal Behavior Theory and has published work in The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Mr. Gutierrez is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis and the California Association for Behavior Analysis.

Mari Ueda-Tao, MA, BCBA, holds a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA. She is currently Regional Director in Sacramento. She heads the Community Services and Infant/Toddler Programs at ABC, Inc., and is responsible for in-home behavioral assessments and developing behavior intervention plans for children and adults with developmental disabilities, specializing in the treatment of Autism. In addition, Mrs. Ueda-Tao has conducted training sessions on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), including Positive Programming for Parents, skill teaching techniques, and in-home behavior intervention strategies. She has experience in clinically supervising a number of behavior consultants, specializing in early, intensive intervention techniques, including comprehensive work with infant/toddler age ranges. Mrs. Ueda-Tao is a member of the national and state-levels of the Association for Behavior Analysis. Internationally, she has trained a number of teachers and parents on the implementation of ABA principles with children with Autism in Algeria, Bahrain, France, Iceland, Portugal and Romania

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP by

Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc.

VENUE: Room 5, Institute of Social Order, Ateneo De Manila University, Loyola Heights, QC

I checked out the Applied Behavior Consultants Inc also known as ABC Inc to know more about them.

Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. (ABC) is a human services agency that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and learning disorders. ABC's commitment in the delivery of services is to act with compassion, work from a team approach, and provide what is in the self-interest of every individual and family we serve. We believe we can best serve this mission by operating within the theoretical practices of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) derived from the philosophy of 'Behaviorism.

To learn more about ABC Inc, you can go to their website http://www.appliedbehaviorconsultants.com.

As for PECS or Picture Exchange Communication System, if you visit http://www.pecs.com you can get FREE information such as first webcast entitled PECS and Skinner's Verbal Behavior. You can also give suggestion to the organization as idea for a new product or service or request permission if you want to use Pyramid’s intellectual property in some way.

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You may copy the form below in word format to serve as your registration form for the ABA Hands-On Workshop:

REGISTRATION FORM

Register today by filling out this form. Pre-registration deadline is January 15, 2011.

Workshop fees: The following registration fees include all lectures and sessions for February 21-24, 2011, handouts, lunch, afternoon snacks and a certificate of attendance.

* PABA Member registration fees P 7,500.00

* Pre registration fees P 7,800.00

* On-site registration fees P 8,300.00

Number of participants attending: _____________
Total Amount paid: ____________________________
Cash amount: __________________________________
Bank: _________________________________________
check no.______________________________________
Designation/Profession: _______________________
Affiliation (Company/School/Center):___________
Address: ______________________________________
Telephone and/or Mobile phone no. _____________
Email address: ____________________________

Kindly make checks payable to Philippine Association for Behavior Analysis, Inc.

Because space is limited, only paid reservations are guaranteed.

Payment options:

1. Deposit to Philippine Association for Behavior Analysis, Inc. Bank of Commerce, Pasay Road, Makati City Account No. 046-00000-3697. Fax deposit slip together with accomplished registration form to the workshop secretariat. Telefax: 6359343. Please call workshop secretariat to confirm receipt of deposit slip.

2. Send payment together with accomplished registration form to workshop secretariat: edu-care Learning Center at L501-505. Level 5, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Telephone no: 6389116 Telefax: 6359343 Mobile no. 0917-8175275

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