Sharing a Vision Special Edition 2003 Volume 10, Issue 3
Official Newsletter of the Illinois Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Table of contents
Sharing a Vision Conference. Windows of Opportunity
by Pam Reising-Rechner and Lynette Chandler, Conference Co-Chairs
It is now time for the 8th biannual Illinois Statewide Collaborative Early Childhood Conference. The theme of the 2003 Sharing A Vision Conference "Windows of Opportunity" reflects the many opportunities and challenges that are emerging from new initiatives in early childhood. Several issues are being discussed at state and national levels such as educational opportunities for all young children, early learning standards for all children, the No Child Left Behind legislation, alternative methods for child assessment, early childhood career lattice and educational opportunities for all early childhood practitioners, blended early childhood and early childhood special education content in preservice and inservice training, and inclusive programs for all children and families.
Through the collaborative efforts of early childhood supporters across Illinois, we have planned many exciting sessions that will address these and other current issues. The workshop sessions are divided into specific environmental tracts: adapting environments, administration environment, community environments, infant/toddler environments, learning environments, peaceful environments, and technology environments. In addition to workshops, we have invited nationally and locally recognized presenters to share their expertise during keynote and general sessions.
It is our hope that we will see you all in Springfield at the Crowne Plaza on September 29 - October 1, 2003. We hope that this conference will expand your own Windows of Opportunity. For more information on how to register, please contact Susan Ferry at 217/824-4776 or E-mail sharingavision@aol.com Return to top
Creative Expressions Art Gallery
This year, Sharing A Vision has added a new and enlightening component to its already dynamic program. We are including a "Creative Expressions Art Gallery" of Illinois' young children's artwork. These one of a kind "masterpieces" will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. Proceeds from the sale of these items will be used to support the Sharing A Vision Conference.
We will also be offering "Make It and Take It" workshops in the same gallery area that are designed for those individuals who are artistically creative or would like to be. Iorder to assist participants in classroom planning, we will focus on identifying art activities that support and align with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
Please stop by; admire the work of Illinois' youngest artists and bid on that special piece for that special person.
The gallery will be open Monday afternoon for a preview from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Tuesday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. All items must be purchased and picked up at the conference. Items will not be mailed.
Return to topStill Interested in Advanced Study in Early Childhood Special Education?
By Therese Wehman, Elmhurst College
If you have been thinking of furthering your education, check out the Masters Degree Program in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) at Elmhurst College. This Masters in ECSE is an innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative program designed to prepare professionals to meet the increasing needs in the rapidly emerging field of early childhood special education.
Graduates of this program will gain an understanding of the development process, the relationship and impact of disability upon development, and practices, which create effective supportive living and learning environments for young children with special needs. At the heart of this program model is the philosophy of family-centered care. This graduate program has unique features that embrace our commitment to young children and their families. These features include providing opportunities for students to learn directly from families by participating in a "Family Mentor" Program. A second feature is the Family Support Specialist, a faculty member who is also a parent of a child with special needs. This Family Support Specialist co-teaches courses, collaborates with field site placements, and supervises students and families in the program.
The Masters Program requires 37 semester hours and adheres to the cohort model to fulfill course requirements, strengthen cohesion and student-centered practices.
For more information about this innovative program contact:
Dr. Therese Wehman, Program Coordinator
(630) 617-3231
e-mail theresew@elmhurst.edu
OR
Elizabeth Kuebler, Director of Graduate Admissions
(630) 617-3069
e-mail betsyk@elmhurst.edu
Elmhurst College
190 Prospect Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126-3296
President's Message
I cannot help but to compare my transition from IDEC President-Elect to the changes occurring on school campuses across the state. During these days, children and parents eagerly await the first days of school, wondering what will be new and what will remain from the previous year. Similarly, this year at IDEC, the executive committee will build on the work of its predecessors to best meet the needs of young children with disabilities and the professionals and families who care for them.
During this 30th year of IDEC, the executive committee encourages you to become involved with IDEC in a number of ways. You all know about the upcoming Sharing-A-Vision Conference, co-sponsored by IDEC. We hope you attend the conference and stop by the IDEC general meeting or conference table to talk to our executive committee. In addition, IDEC work includes monitoring changes in local, state, and federal legislation related to children and education. Become involved with us in advocacy efforts around the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other public policy issues which can be read about on the DEC web site (http://www.dec-sped.org/publicpolicy.htmlEditor's note: This url has changed:http://www.dec-sped.org/PolicyAdvocacy). You may even want to become involved in planning for the international DEC conference to be held in Chicago next year. Whatever your interests, please join us as we work together! Hope to see you soon!
If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please contact:
Return to topElizabeth Delaney
Chicago Charter School Foundation
228 S. Wabash, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60604
Email: bpurvis@ccsfonline.org
Webliography
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu
Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse
http://www.eiclearinghouse.org
Illinois State Board of Education
http://www.isbe.net/
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
http://www.nichcy.org
[IDEC Editor's note (07-31-2014): see: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/]
National Parent Information Network
http://www.npin.org
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
http://www.pacer.org
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Illinois DEC Annual Membership Meeting
Springfield Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ruby Room
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Special Guest Speaker: Sarah Mulligan,
Executive Director of the Division of Early Childhood (DEC)
NAEYC Special Needs Interest Forum
Chicago NAEYC Conference
November 5 or 6
Please contact Mary Wonderlick for details.
Upcoming Events
19th Annual DEC International Conference on
Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families
"From Practice to Policy and Back Again: 30 Years of Advocacy for Young Children and Their Families"
October 12-15, 2003
Washington, DC
Visit the DEC website for conference updates: www.dec-sped.org
The 8th Annual Illinois Statewide Collaborative Early Childhood Conference
Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2003
Springfield, IL
www.dec-sped.org
For more information visit:
http://idec.crc.uiuc.edu/conference.html
