New Articles!!

Helping Kids who Struggle in School but Don't Qualify for Special Services

Kids learn to make bullies back off

Test Taking Tips

Implications of High Stakes Testing for Students with Learning Disabilities

What Parents Can Do About Childhood Bullying

LaSIG 2 – Creating the Freedom to Learn Well!

The Louisiana Department of Education Division of Educational Improvement and Assistance received funding from the U.S. Department of Education for a five year State Personnel Development Grant.  This new grant is based on the foundation of the previously funded Louisiana State Improvement Grant (LaSIG).  LaSIG had many successes over the five-year period of the project in participating districts.  LaSIG 2 plans to build upon the success of the first project with increased and improved family engagement.

The focus of LaSIG 2 will continue efforts at the district level, expand authentic family engagement and partnerships, and improve access to professional development for all stakeholders (educators, students, families, and community members).  LaSIG 2 will continue to work closely with Families Helping Families regional resource centers and Pyramid Parent Training Center located in New Orleans.  In addition, LaSIG 2 will also work closely with People First of Louisiana.

Funds in LaSIG 2 include the following initiatives:

·   To assist regionally based Families Helping Families resource centers and Pyramid Parent Training Center in New Orleans to develop and coordinate leadership opportunities for families and individuals with disabilities.

·   To support meaningful participation of families and consumers on school and district leadership teams and in the development and delivery of professional development.

·   To support district participation in scientifically/evidenced based instructional and behavioral practices (inclusive practices, schoolwide positive behavior support/SWPBS, reduction in disproportionality, high school diploma, closing achievement gaps, family engagement initiatives) and ensure improved outcomes and performance for all students including students with disabilities.

LaSIG 2 has four (4) goals that focus on the project’s professional development on achieving outcomes at the state, district, campus and individual levels:

1.  Improve systems of professional development and service delivery at the state level

2.  Improve systems of professional development, service delivery, and student outcomes at the district level

3.  Improve systems of professional development, service delivery, and student outcomes at the campus level.

4.  Improve systems of professional development, service delivery, and student outcomes at the individual level.

During the first year of the project the following school districts will participate:  Assumption, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans Recovery School District, Plaquemines, Rapides, St. Charles, and Vermillion.  Additional districts will be added during the five (5) years of the project.