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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SPIN is co-sponsored by the
Disability & Communication Access Board and the Special Education
Section of the Department of Education. Services include a phone
line for information referral and support, a quarterly newsletter,
an annual conference and community workshops. SPIN is guided
by an Advisory Committee made up of parents, teachers and people
with disabilities.
SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd.,
# 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
PHONE
586-8126
Neighbor Islands dial the following exchange then 6-8126: Kauai
-274-3141; Hawai'i-974-4000; Maui-984-2400; Molokai & Lanai
- 1-800-468-4644
FAX
586-8129
E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net
WEB
www.spinhawaii.org
RETENTION
DOESN'T WORK
Many parents whose children
are making poor grades in school have considered the possibility
of retention (holding their child back in the same grade for
another year). Their thinking is, "if my child didn't learn
all the required subjects this year, then repeating this grade
gives him or her a second chance to "catch up."
When making a decision about whether to hold your child back,
it is important to know that more than 40 years of research has
not found retention to be helpful. In many cases it has actually
had a harmful effect on the student.
The National Association of School Pyschologists (NASP) has put
out a position statement discouraging the use of holding students
back. Here is the evidence they cited:
In elementary school, holding a student back may not hurt in
the short run, but there is no evidence that if helps with long-term
achieve-ment or social adjustment. Any achievement gains from
the year of retention tend to decline within 2-3 years, so that
the student is performing no better than comparable students
who were promoted.
Rentention causes low self esteem and is associated with significant
increases in problem behavior. It can also lead to poor attendence.
Research also shows that by high school, students who were retained
a year or more are 2 to 11
times more likely to drop out of school than other students their
age. Retained students are less likely to receive a diploma,
less likely to go on to college, and more likely to hold lower
paying jobs after leaving high school.
The NASP position statement does point out that the research
is based on groups of children, so there may be individual students
who benefit from being held back. Overall, however, retention
fails to help most students and costs school districts millions
of dollars for the additional years of instruction.
Instead of retention, a focus should be on adjusting a student's
IEP to provide better supports.
THE
5 BIG IDEAS OF READING INSTRUCTION
Reading is a skill that most
of us take for granted. Most of us learned to read without a
lot of difficulty. But for up to 20 million children nationwide
reading is a struggle. That includes 70-80% of students with
specific learning disabilities. Without special help, they will
never master this all important skill.
Teachers and parents have long been aware of the terrible cost
to the struggling reader in terms of poor grades and low self
esteem. We are just beginning to understand the larger costs
to society of not helping children learn to read well.
Our children who are poor readers are not just at a disadvantage
in the classroom. Their inability to read well affects socializing
and independent living, too.
Just think how hard it would be to do the following activities,
if you couldn't read as well as your peers:
**order from a menu at a restaurant
**text message your friends
**play Monopoly
**use the Internet
**prepare a recipe from a cookbook
**fill out an application for an after school job.
Thankfully our educational
system is finding solutions to the problem of reaching students
who have fallen through the cracks and are not reading at grade
level. In 1997, Congress urged the formation of the National
Reading Panel to identify issues and strategies around reading.
1. Phonemic awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Reading Comprehension
The Panel looked at research
on children's reading development from preschool to 12th Grade.
They found that the numbers of girls vs. boys who were struggling
readers were about equal, but that boys were more often identified
as poor or at risk readers. Reading disabled girls may escape
the teacher's attention as they are less likely to misbehave
in class.
The research identifed critical skills, early steps and environments
that are important for gaining beginning reading skills. The
evidence stressed the important role that parents and others
play in exposing children to reading at an early age. It also
stressed how critical it is to identify children at risk for
reading failure early and provide support to them quickly.
To help children of all ages achieve success in reading, the
Panel identified five big ideas of reading instruction:
Phonemic awareness
Phonemes are the smallest parts of spoken language. English consists
of about 41 phonemes or sounds. When they are put together they
form words. For instance, the word dog has three phonemes: /d/
/o/ /g/. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify
and manipulate the sounds in language.
Phonics
Phonics instruction helps with word recognition and spelling.
It teaches children the relationship between letters and sounds
(phonemes). For instance, the letters 'm', 'a' and 'n' make the
sounds /m/ /a/ /n/. Blended together, they make the word man.
Fluency
Reading fluency is the ability to read with speed and accuracy.
When reading out loud, it includes the ability to read with the
proper expression and phrasing. Fluency helps readers make the
connections between the ideas in what they are reading and their
own knowledge (reading comprehension).
(74% of the children who are
poor readers in 3rd grade remain poor readers in the 9th grade.
--The International Dyslexia Assoc.)
**10-15% of struggling readers
drop out of school.**Only 2% earn a 4-yr. college degree**Poor
readers makeup 1/2 of the children and teens who abuse drugs
& alcohol **More than half of teens and young adults with
criminal records are poor readers
Vocabulary
Vocabulary means the words we must know to communicate effectively
through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children use
the words in their vocabulary to make sense of what they read.
Reading comprehension
Instruction in comprehension helps children understand what they
read, remember what they read and communicate with others about
what they read. Comprehension is the reason for reading.
In a nutshelll...
Children use phonemic awareness and phonics skills to unlock
new words and read them. They then must be able to apply the
skills quickly, to understand the words they read, and to relate
what they read to their own experiences.
In order to help the struggling reader, teachers must be trained
in these research based methods. Instruction must be targeted
to a child's specific need and be systematic.
HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS...
Identifying struggling readers
early and providing them with systematic and intensive instruction
in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading
comprehension helps most chldren overcome their reading difficulties.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP
THEIR CHILD LEARN THROUGH READING
Learn more about reading instruction.
Come to the SPIN Conference
(pg. 7)!
Watch for our May 2005 article on reading
and older students.
Check out these websites:
www.ldonline.org
www.nichd.nih.gov/reading.htm
www.nationalreadingpanel.org
Ask your child's teacher about
your child's specific reading strengths and needs.
Find out what kind of instruction
is being used to help your child and how you can reinforce reading
skills at home.
Foster a love for reading in
your home. Find time each day (if only 10 minutes) to read to
your child and/or have your child read to you.
COMMUNITY
CHILDREN'S COUNCILS
Throughout the State of Hawaii,
16 Community Children's Councils (CCCs) represent and provide
local community participation to families of children and adolescents
with educational and / or behavioral health needs.
Working together with the State Departments and service providers,
CCCs collaborate to improve system development and service delivery.
CCCs are a forum for community-based planning and quality management.
The CCCs assist schools with increasing parent and family participation,
information sharing, training, and support to children and families
with special needs.
We are always looking for interested parents who want to improve
the lives of children and adolescents in their communities. If
you are looking for support, training, or the company of other
parents of children with special needs, please give our office
a call. We can put you in contact with your local CCC. On O'ahu,
call 586-5363. From the Neighbor Islands, please call us toll-free
at 1-800-437-8641. You can also reach us at randy_komatsu@notes.k12.hi.us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Submitted by
Randy Komatsu
Community Children's Council Office
MUSCULAR
DYSTROPHY NEWS
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY SUPPORT
GROUPS
The Muscular Dystrophy Assocation
of Hawaii support groups offer adults and children with neuromuscular
disorders and their families opportunities to meet and talk with
others facing similar challenges. Participation in support group
meetings are open to children, parents, friends and family members.
Meeting schedules for support groups are as follows:
Oahu
--ALS Support Group, 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m., Castle Medical Center
--General Support Group, 2nd Friday of every month, 5:00 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m., Shriner's Hospital
Hilo
-- 2/26 & 8/27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Hilo Medical Center
Kauai
--6/4 & 12/3, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.,Lihue Neighborhood
Center
Maui
--4/30 & 10/29, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Maui Memorial Medical
Center
For more information, call 548-0588 or e-mail: hawaiiservices@mdausa.org.
MDA HAWAII SUMMER CAMP
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
Summer camp is a week of fun and learning for children and adults
from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island living with neuromuscular
disease. The camp runs from June 22-29,2005 at the YMCA Camp
Erdman on Oahu. Activities are specially designed for those with
limited mobility or use wheelchairs. Everyone attends camp each
year free of charge.
For more information about the MDA Summer Camp or to volunteer
to help at the camp, contact Jennifer Li at 548-0588 or e-mail
to hawaiiservices@mdausa.org.
MAC-PLUS
RECREATION PROGRAMS
The United Cerebral Palsy Association
is offering the following special recreation program for youth
15 years and up with a disability:
**Friday Night "Grinds" - $2.00 for 5-week program
2/25, 3/18, 4/1& 22, 5/6 -(5:00 p.m., different restaurants
in Honolulu)
**X-Ventures/Sports - $2.00 for 5-week program
2/12, 4/16 UH Baseball
3/5 UH Basketball
3/26, 4/30 X-Venture sport
**Special Event - Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
5/14 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.- $2.00 (group meets first at UCP)
Sign up for all activities is on a first come, first served basis
with limited enrollment. Registration must be done in person
at the Honolulu UCP office at 414 Kuwili Street, #105. For more
information, call 532-6748.
ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTER
The Assitive Technology Resource
Center (ATRC) is offering the following employment classes for
youth transitioning from school to work and adult life.
Career Explorations (CE) is an on-going class that will help
to map an individual's career goals, identify resources to achieving
these goals, and provide continuous support for them while in
the program. It is open to individuals 18 or older with a documented
disability, a resident of Hawaii and who is interested in exploring/developing
a career plan. Up to $500 worth of training.
Job Track (J-Track) will provide specific support for individuals
seeking employment who needs to learn how to use computers, submit
a resume and use the Internet for job searches. This free class
meets every
Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and is open to individuals
18 or older.
For more information about these , contact Kevin Forde-Nihipali,
Director of Training at 532-7115.
TRAINING
SERIES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
The Department of Education
is offering a series of trainings for Central District families
of children with autism spectrum disorders or related developmental
disorders. The sessions will provide overview information on
specific topics for planning at the school level and in the home.
Limited childcare slots are available with prior notice and will
be provided in a separate classroom on campus.
February 10, 2005 - Stress
Management
March 10, 2005 - Understanding Behavior and Reinforcement
April 14, 2005 - Social Skills
All sessions will be held at
the Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School Library from 6:00 p.m.
- 8:00 p.m. To register or for more information, contact an autism
consultation teacher:
Louise Funasaki at 483-7373; Judy Halvorson at 622-6427; or Aletha
Gomez at 483-7371.
HAWAII
FAMILIES AS ALLIES CONFERENCE
Hawaii Families As Allies is
holding its annual conference on May 14, 2005 from 8a.m. -3:30
p.m. at the Honolulu Airport Hotel. There will be guest speakers,
door prizes and lunch!
Call the HFAA office for additional information at 487-8785.
A limited number of stipends will be available for neighbor island
families. The conference is free of charge.
A
DAY AT THE CAPITOL
The Developmental Disabilities
Council (DDC) is inviting individuals with developmental disabilities
and family members to attend "A Day At the Capitol"
on March 9, 2005 at the State Capitol Auditorium, Chamber Level
from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to discuss
disability-related issues with legislators, network with other
concerned citizens, participate in legislative activities and
tour the Capitol.
Please RSVP to the DDC office by Friday, February 25, 2005. For
more information call the following: Oahu - 586-8100; Big Island
- Howard Marks at 936-4061; Kauai - Dennis Liphart at
274-3484; Maui,Molokai, Lanai - Mary Matsukawa at 984-8218.
Get involved and let your legislators hear about developmental
disability issues that affect you and your family.
PARTNERS
IN POLICYMAKING TWELVETH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY STARTS IN AUGUST
2005
If you are a person with a
developmental disability or a family member of an individual
with a developmental disability you are eligible to apply for
this Academy. Partners is an innovative program for self-advocates
and family members. The program is designed to provide information,
training and resources, which will develop and increase skills
and productive partnerships between people who need and use services
and those in positions to make policy and law. This program will
support individuals to lead self-determined lives.
Over 180 individuals have graduated from the Partners program
since the State Council on Developmental Disabilities started
this program in 1994. Partner's graduates are serving on many
boards, commissions and councils throughout the State. Partner's
graduates have also participated in Legislative Advocacy and
created community awareness through the various media.
Applications are being accepted for the TWELVETH Academy, which
will meet in 2005 -August 19-20, September 9-10, October 7-8,
November 4-5, and December 2-3 - at Tokai University. Application
deadline is May 27, 2005.
For more information and applications, contact Susan Kawano on
Oahu at 586-8100. Neighbor Island may call on the State toll
free line: Big Island 974-4000; Kauai 274-3141; Maui 984-2400
After dialing one of the numbers above, at the prompt of the
message, enter 68100 and the # sign. For Molokai and Lanai call
1-800-468-4644.
Submitted by: Mary Matsukawa,
Project Coordinator
Congratulations
to the Eleventh Partners Academy
who graduated January 29, 2005.
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
2/28 - 21st Annual Pac Rim
Conference
3/1/05 Sheraton Waikiki
www.pacrim.hawaii.edu
3/15-16 Asperger's Syndrome,
Non-Verbal Learning Disorder & High-Functioning Autism: Effective
Interactive Strategies for Children, Adolescents and Adults (Oahu)
Health Ed - 1-800-839-4584, or www.health-ed.com
3/5 Hawaii Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HIDA)
Conference
Contact 538-7007, or HIDA@dyslexia-hawaii.org
4/23 '05 SPIN Conference -
"SPIN's Recipe For Success"
UH Campus Center, Call SPIN
7/29 Learning Disabilities Conference (UH Hilo)
Call LDAH at 536-9684 or 1(800) 533-9684 (neighbor islands)
Hawaii Families As Allies Workshops
For more info, contact HFAA at 487-8785
Big Island - Call Carmen at 933-0640
2/23 Stress Busters
3/9 & 23 Opposition, Conduct & Multi-Systemic Therapy
4/13 & 27 Impact o f Emotions, Crisis & Respite Services
5/11 & 25 Passive, Attention & Group Therapy
6/8 & 22 Challenging Behavior & Coordinated Service Planning
Kauai - Call Brendelyn at 274-3883, ext. 229
2/17, 4/12 Last One Picked/First One Picked On
& 5/19
3/8, 4/21, How Difficult Can This Be? (F.A.T. City video)
& 6/14
3/17, 5/10, When the Chips Are Down
& 6/16
Maui - Call Pualani at 873-3386
2/24 When the Chips are Down
2/25 How Difficult Can This Be? (F.A.T. City video)
3/4 & 10 Last One Picked/First One Picked On
3/11, 4/28 Supplemental Security Income
4/1 Severe Emotional Disorder
4/8 IMPACT (How a Child's Behavior Impacts the Family)
5/14 HFAA Youth Conference
6/10 Communication
7/8 Behavior
