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Spring 1999 Volume 6, Issue 2

Official Newsletter of the Illinois Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Gloria Reilley wins Rose C. Engle award

by Michaelene Ostrosky

Gloria Reilley was awarded the 1998 Rose C. Engle Award for Excellence in Professional Practices at the 14th Annual International DEC conference in Chicago this past December. This award is given yearly to an individual who has made significant contributions at the local level, provided evidence of knowledge and skills consistent with recommended practices, and exemplifies high ethical and professional standards. Gloria's commitment and service to individuals with special needs and their families is a model for "seasoned" and new practitioners in special education.

For over 15 years Gloria has worked in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs, first as a teaching assistant and then as a teacher. She has been involved in leadership positions in her local community, such as serving on a policy committee, participating in research studies to examine challenging behaviors and functional assessment, working closely with Elmhurst College in their personnel preparation program, providing guest lectures, and welcoming student teachers into her classroom. She also has presented at the DEC national conference, and Gloria spent part of the past two summers doing missionary work in South Africa. All of this and Gloria is the grandmother of 13!

As a frequent guest lecturer in university courses, Gloria is able to share with students her experiences as a professional in ECSE, and as a family member of a young child with disabilities. Gloria lost a granddaughter with special needs, before Erin reached her second birthday. Gloria shares her experiences with students in an honest, open, and heartwarming way. She brings a unique view to students because she not only tells them about her family's experiences, but she also tells them about her reactions as an educator, and she provides wonderful suggestions to help students bridge the gap between families and professionals. This fall, Gloria began working part-time with Elmhurst College, as a practicum supervisor and mentor to undergraduate ECSE students. How lucky they are to have her on staff!

Gloria is a frequent recipient of letters from parents thanking her for all she has done for them, their children and their families. She is truly an advocate for the ECSE community. Congratulations Gloria!

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President's Message

Susan Maude

Illinois Division for Early Childhood has had a very busy year. IDEC was in charge of all local arrangements for the International DEC Conference held in Chicago last December. As reported by Lynette Chandler in the Winter issue of this newsletter, over 1800 participants attended this national conference guided by the work of 20 committee chairs and over 150 volunteers.

Even while the December conference was winding down Amy Santos and Lynette Chandler, conference co-chairs, have begun work on the 6th "Sharing A Vision" conference. This collaborative early childhood conference is scheduled for November 1-3, 1999 in Springfield. Again, many opportunities exist for individuals wishing to volunteer. Please see this newsletter for contact information regarding registration and/or volunteering.

The nominations for the 1999-2000 IDEC Executive Board are also printed in this newsletter. Please take a minute to cast your vote. We are fortunate to have such stellar candidates willing to serve.

A special thank you to Tweety Yates for her many years of service as IDEC secretary. She will be concluding her responsibilities as of July 1, 1999. She has been a valuable board member and scribe! In addition, thanks are extended to Donna Nylander who had agreed to continue with her role as past president and historian for IDEC beyond the call of duty. Seeing how she is the only one who actually knows we have bylaws, her assistance has guided us on more than one occasion. I'm sure neither Tweety or Donna will completely leave the IDEC organization but we want to thank them for their support over the years.

I am also ending my term as IDEC President. I have enjoyed being president for the past year and one-half. It was a pleasure working with the IDEC Board and the IDEC local arrangements committee. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you at the state and national level. Greg Anderson will be your next president. Please continue to contact him and other Board members in advocating for young children and their families in Illinois.

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Photo Memories of the 1998 DEC Conference in Chicago

Madelyn James and Ruta Naujokas

Susan Maude and Gloria Reilley

Therese Wehman and LuEllen Doty

Tweety Yates and Susan Maude

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Safe Schools Can't Save Children

By Peter A. Gorski

As our national blood curdles in reaction to the slaughter of innocence at Columbine High School in Colorado, we might take a moment to once again consider how to protect children's lives and spirits. Already, well-intentioned citizens are calling for stricter gun control laws and tighter security system at schools. Certainly, restricting access to weapons makes sense and yields positive results. It is no coincidence that Massachusetts has the toughest gun purchase requirements and the lowest amount of violent crime in the nation. But guns provide a means to kill. Schools and school yards serve their purpose when children feel like they are sanctuaries in which adults care about their well-being and development. Locked doorways, armed guards and electronic monitoring undermine children's sense of security by adding constant reminders of deadly threats that may lurk around every corner.

No, just as access to healthcare, by itself, does not guarantee health, safety depends on removing access to deadly weapons and on removing a person's will to hate. Given the countless sources for acquiring a deadly weapon, the task of disarming dangerous individuals becomes nearly impossible. Considering, on the other hand, the one source for becoming a young killer, the achievable goal of prevention must focus on the early childhood experiences of all children. Violence is an end-product of hatred—usually self-hatred as much as hatred toward others. During the first years of life, children learn how the world values them. Kids who are loved consistently and unconditionally, whose parents and other caregivers demonstrate caring and service to others, whose families affiliate with a diverse group within a community, and who observe that skin color, wealth, education, and culture differentiate people's background but not their intrinsic worth, are children who will grow to feel connected and devoted to the dignity within everyone. Ultimately, violence is most vulnerable to the stronger power of inner peace acquired when healthy relationships teach very young children the joy and satisfaction gained from caring about others.

So let's get smart—we can only secure peace by providing emotional security for all children. What are we teaching our children about tolerance, conflict resolution, and humane behavior? We can only defend ourselves against violent acts if we inspire in children an alternative path to hatred. Killers, after all, are indistinguishable as babies. They just lose hope long before they ever find death.

Editor's Note:
This release was reproduced with permission granted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

About the Author:
Dr. Gorski is a pediatrician and President of the Massachusetts Caring for Children Foundation. He can be reached at pgorski@bcbsma.com

Additional Resources:

Slaby, R. G., Roedell, W. C., Arezzo, D. & Hendrix, K. (1995). Early violence prevention: Tools for teachers of young children. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Levin, D. (1998). Remote control childhood? Combating the hazards of media culture. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

NAEYC (1993). Position statement on violence in the lives of children. Washington, DC: Author.

Visit NAEYC's Web Site at:
http://www.naeyc.org

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"Corey H." Settlement Agreement

Editor's Note:
The following is a fact sheet produced by the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the "Corey H." settlement agreement.

March 18, 1999 — The State Board of Education (ISBE) today authorized State Superintendent of Education Glenn W. McGee to execute a settlement agreement in the "Corey H." special education lawsuit.

Filed in 1992 against the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the State Board, the suit charged that Chicago failed to educate students with disabilities in the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) as required by federal law. The plaintiffs also alleged that ISBE had failed to ensure that CPS complied with the law. Chicago settled with the plaintiffs in 1997, while ISBE participated in a trial. The federal district court issued an opinion in February 1998 and a settlement resulted.

The Impact of the Settlement Agreement

Applies only to the Chicago Public Schools
* Is not a consent decree

Does not order specific changes in special education teacher certification
* Requires ISBE to continue the process for reforming all teacher certification that is already underway.

- Recommendations for changes in special education certification have been made by a panel of teachers, administrators and higher education representatives in that field.

- Public comment, legislative review and subsequent revisions in the proposals will take place before final approval of certification changes later this year.

Addresses least restrictive environment, not inclusion
* Enforces existing federal laws regarding LRE -- placing children in the environment in which they can best be educated based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

* Does not require all students with disabilities to be placed into regular classrooms.

- LRE is a continuum of services that ranges from placement in the regular classroom with additional services to placement in a residential program that only serves students with disabilities.

Costs the State about $21 million over seven years
* Will be paid through a combination of state and federal funds.

* Pays for training regarding LRE requirements for CPS staff.

Does not require the closing of any schools which serves only students with disabilities
* These schools, including residential facilities, are important and essential parts of the LRE continuum of placement options.

For more information, contact:

Susan Bever
Illinois State Board of Education
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 14-300
Chicago, IL 60601

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Dr. Raymond Golarz to Keynote at 1999 Sharing A Vision Conference

Dr. Raymond J. Golarz, author and noted expert in working with at-risk children and urban delinquent gangs, will be the keynote speaker at the 1999 Sharing A Vision Conference to be held November 1, 2, and 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Golarz will open the three-day conference with a discussion on the critical importance of belief systems regarding how individuals feel about the learner and the teacher.

Dr. Golarz has directed work with at-risk children and delinquent gangs in the Chicago area for the last 20 years. He is the co-author of "Restructuring Schools for Excellence through Teacher Empowerment," and "The Power of Participation." A former elementary and secondary teacher, Dr. Golarz is also known for his work with juvenile courts, probation offices and police departments.

Sharing A Vision has emerged as the premiere statewide early childhood conference, bringing together over 2,000 participants from all over Illinois who share a common vision for young children. This conference is organized by the Illinois Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children in collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education, STARNET, Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse, Great Lakes Head Start Quality Improvement Center for Disabilities, Project CHOICES, Illinois Child Care Resource and Referral, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children, Illinois Department of Child and Family Services and Tri-County Americorps. The 1999 conference is the sixth Sharing A Vision event to be held in Illinois. The theme for this year's conference is "Making it Happen."

"At our last Sharing A Vision conference we asked participants to 'Imagine the Possibilities' for early childhood as we enter the new millennium," explained Conference Chair Amy Santos. "Now that we have put our imagination and creativity to work, we need to turn those ideas into reality—to make it happen."

Dr. Golarz' presentation is just one part of the conference, which once again offers professionals, educators, administrators, and therapists who work with children ages birth to eight, and the parents of young children opportunities to learn about new trends and policies in the early childhood field.

The 1999 Sharing A Vision conference booklet and registration form can be obtained by contacting Susan Ferry at 217/824-4776 or email her at <SDFERRY@aol.com>. Registration cost for the conference is $85.00. Early bird registration, which must be postmarked by August 1, 1999, offers a reduced fee of $75.00.

A limited number of hotel rooms are available at rates ranging from $68.00 to $88.00. Attendees must make their own room reservations. The deadline for early bird registration is August 1, 1999 and for regular registration is October 1, 1999.

1999 Sharing A Vision Conference Highlights

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CAN-O-GRAM. Children's Action Network

Final Part B Regulations are Now Available

The long-awaited final Part B regulations were published in the federal Register on March 12, 1999. Individuals who are interested in the complete package can download them from the internet. Visit the DEC web site at

http://www.dec-sped.org

nd click on "What's New." The regulations are divided into six parts. You can download all six parts as either "text" or "PDF" file.

Be aware that if you download on "text" the total document is about 1100 pages. If you download in "PDF," the total document is only about 400 pages. The PDF format gives you the regulations exactly as they appear in the Federal Register. Individuals who do not have access to the Internet can order copies of the regulations by calling 1-877-4-ED-PUBS.

To keep you updated on the regulations, DEC will post updates on the regulations on their web site. Information may also appear on the DEC Governmental Relations Listserv. For information about this listserv, contact Sarah Hadden at <haddends@uwec.edu>

For additional information, contact:

Karen Sullivan
IDEC CAN Coordinator Indian Prairie School District 204
Prairie Children Preschool
P.O. Box 3990
Naperville, IL 60567
karen_sullivan@ipsd.org

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Volunteers Needed!

The 1999 Sharing A Vision Committee needs volunteers to help during the conference in November. We are looking for committed individuals who will donate four (4) hours of their time during the conference. In exchange, you will receive complimentary registration!

We are also looking for workshop facilitators who will collect workshop evaluations and assist the presented with room arrangements. This important role guarantees you a seat in a particular session.

If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact Kirsten Recupido at 708-614-3569.

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Highlight the Outstanding Work

We would like to highlight the outstanding work of our colleagues in Illinois.

If you know a special teacher, service provider, child care provider, parent, caregiver, or administrator who has touched the lives of Illinois' children with special needs and their families, send us their story

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Meet Your Candidates for the IDEC Board

Vice President (1999-2000)

Bernie Laumann

Bernie has been an early childhood special education teacher and principal/early childhood coordinator. She is currently the Project Director for the CASEI (Consultation and Administration Specialists in Early Intervention) grant. Bernie teaches classes in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently co-chair of the IDEC membership committee and was on the local arrangements committee for the DEC conference in Chicago last December. Bernie is the Pre-conference Committee chair for the 1999 Sharing A Vision Conference.

Secretary (1999-2001)

Therese Wehman

Therese Wehman currently coordinates and teaches in the Early Childhood Special Education Graduate Program at Elmhurst College. She received her doctorate in Child Development from the Erikson Institute at Loyola University in Chicago. Her areas of specialization focus on young children birth-age six with disabilities, early childhood program administration, organizational development and team building. Her research interests focus on early intervention system change, building parent-professional partnerships, professional leadership development, and inclusion.

Illinois Division for Early Childhood
1999 OFFICIAL BALLOT FORM

Vice President:

___ Bernie Laumann

____________________
(write-in candidate)

Secretary:

___ Therese Wehman

____________________
(write-in candidate)

Please mail or fax your ballot by June 15, 1999:

c/o Donna Nylander
Indian Prairie School District 204
Prairie Children Preschool
P.O. Box 3990
Naperville, IL 60567
FAX: 630-375-3029

For more information, contact Donna at <donna_nylander@ipsd.org> or call her at 630-375-3030

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Conferences

MARK YOUR CALENDARS !!

The 15th Annual DEC International Early Childhood Conference on Children with Special Needs

December 9-12, 1999
Washington Hilton and Towers
Washington, DC

For more information, contact the DEC Conference Office at
410-269-6801 or
visit the DEC Web Site at
http://www.dec-sped.org/

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Registration is going on NOW for this year's...
Sharing A Vision Conference
"Making it Happen"

November 1 - 3, 1999
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Springfield, IL

Early bird registration deadline: 8/1/99
Regular registration deadline: 10/1/99

For more information contact:
Susan Ferry at 217-824-4776 or SDFERRY@aol.com

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EDITORIAL INFORMATION

IDEC Newsletter (Attention: Amy Santos)
61 Children's Research Center
51 Gerty Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

The IDEC Newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Illinois Division for Early Childhood. Please send or direct your inquiries, comments, and article submissions to Amy Santos or Debbie Bruns (see mailing address above) o voice: 217-333-4123 o fax: 217-244-7732 o email: rsantos@uiuc.edu or da-bruns@uiuc.ed