Megan Gilson

Extended School Year (ESY) Services

Extended school year services are free school services that generally extend beyond the typical school year and are integrated within a student with disabilities’ individualized education program (IEP) to support educational goals. ESY services differ from conventional summer school and must meet the mandated requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Depending on eligibility, ESY services may also be offered during longer school breaks, such as winter or spring breaks, when deemed appropriate.

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TeachTown Unveils K-12 Special Education Curriculum

TeachTown, a leading provider of special education solutions for students with moderate to severe disabilities, is proud to announce its full K-12 curriculum, enCORE, will be available this July. Following the release of award-winning enCORE Elementary and enCORE Middle School, enCORE High School will complete the K-12 adapted core curriculum, which is derived from the research-based methodologies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and provides students with extensive support needs access to the general education curriculum.

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TeachTown’s enCORE is Named EdTech Awards Cool Tool Finalist 2022

TeachTown, a leading provider of special education solutions for students with moderate to severe disabilities, is proud to announce that its standards-based, adapted core curriculum, enCORE, has been recognized as an EdTech Awards Cool Tool Finalist 2022 in the curriculum and instruction solution category.

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The Connection with Social Impairment and ASD

Social impairment in individuals with autism spectrum disorder is different from that encountered in other conditions. Weakness in intuitive social skills is a hallmark indicator of autism. A lack of motivation to initiate or learn social skills can also be present among individuals with autism.

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7 Ways to Embed IEP Goals

Under federal law, students receiving special education services in a public school setting are required to have an individualized education program (more commonly known as an IEP). IEPs are established to ensure students consistently work toward and meet educational goals, while receiving their right to a free and appropriate public education. In this blog, we’ll discuss 7 tips that will help you embed your students’ IEP goals across your day.

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Addressing Language-Based Learning Impairments

In special education, the ultimate goal is to provide a meaningful education to your students with disabilities in order to promote success academically, as well as in the workforce. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines 13 different disabilities that qualify students for special education and related services, one of which is language impairment. What defines a language-based learning impairment and what can we do to address a language impairment to ensure appropriate services are in place? Let’s dig in.

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Inclusion, Equity and Access

As special educators, we want to provide our students with the support and opportunities necessary to prepare them to make choices about their lives, identify and achieve goals, contribute meaningfully to the world around them, and develop their independence skills.

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Social Narratives 101

Evidence-based instruction in the world of education, particularly as we discuss special education, plays a critical role in improving student outcomes. Social Narratives are one example of an evidence-based practice that can be utilized to teach social situations to learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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TeachTown Honored in Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2021

TeachTown, a leading provider of special education curriculum software for students with moderate to severe disabilities, announces today that its adapted core curriculum, enCORE, has been named a winner in the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2021 Primary Education category.

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Positive Reinforcement Examples in ABA Therapy

Positive reinforcement is considered an essential element of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is an evidence-based, highly effective method of behavior therapy designed to teach desired behaviors and lessen inappropriate behaviors, often times through reinforcement.

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