FPG eNews April 2008

• Study Links Money Spent on Regular Instruction to Student Achievement

• Register for Webinar on Recognition and Response
• Register for Eighth Annual Inclusion Institute
• FPG to Study Rhode Island BrightStars

• FPG experts will be presenting at meetings around the world. Visit the FPG website for a complete list of upcoming presentations.
• Visit the FPG websitefor the latest news on FPG projects.

The amount of money a high school spends on regular classroom instruction is directly related to the achievement level of its students—the more money, the greater the achievement, according to a new FPG Report commissioned by Governor Mike Easley. Of regular classroom spending, higher teacher compensation expenditures had the largest effect on student performance. Expenditures for regular instruction include teachers’ salaries, supplementary pay, benefits, and bonuses; salaries for teachers’ assistants, tutors, and substitutes; instructional supplies and textbooks; and library or media services.

Read the report.
Read the press release.

Virginia Buysse and Ellen Peisner-Feinberg will host a webinar on April 23rd at 3 PM (EST) to discuss Recognition and Response, an early intervention system to identify signs of learning difficulties in Pre-K children. Participants will learn about methods of universal screening and progress monitoring and will review instructional support strategies. Recognition and Response is a research-based approach to helping teachers and parents respond to signs of learning difficulty in young children as early as ages three or four, before they experience school failure.

Register now to participate in the webinar.

The Inclusion Institute—the premier educational opportunity for anyone involved in the care and education of children birth through age five with special needs in inclusive settings—will be held July 22 through July 24, 2008.

Attendees will learn about the latest research findings and resources to guide inclusive policy, professional development and practice; develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems to support early childhood inclusion; gain awareness of strategies and models to support inclusive services; and have the opportunity to meet, learn from and problem solve with peers.

Read more about the Institute.

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT awarded FPG a three-year grant to study the new quality rating system for early learning and child care programs, BrightStars. BrightStars was created to improve the care and education of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children in Rhode Island. This project will assist Rhode Island’s early childhood leaders better understand the quality of early childhood education in their state and refine and finalize the quality rating system before it is implemented statewide.

• Register for Eighth Annual Inclusion Institute
• FPG to Study Rhode Island BrightStars
• Study Links Money Spent on Regular Instruction to Student Achievement

• Gloria Harbin Gave Keynote Address at CRIEI 2008
• Register for Webinar to Discuss Professional Development Definition and Framework
• Partner with NPDCI to Better Prepare Early Childhood Personnel for Inclusion
• Technology Stereotypes Broken When Children’s Health Involved
• Collaborate Online about Professional Development on Inclusion
• New Book Examines Culture and Childhood
• Promoting Positive Outcomes for Children with Disabilities: Recommendations for Curriculum, Assessment and Program Evaluation

• Capitol Hill Hosts Briefing on Learning Difficulties in Preschoolers
• Center to Showcase New Approach to Professional Development
• FPG Child Care Director Honored as Employee of the Year
• Study of Rural Life Launches Second Phase; Featured on Radio Program
• Preschoolers Benefit from Mental Health Screening
• Fragile X and Speech and Language Skills
• New Podcast Available

• FPG Launches Online Discussion of Issues Raised in Wall Street Journal Article on Inclusion
• NPDCI to Host Two Webinars
• New Book Provides Practical Approaches to Early Childhood Professional Development
• New Book Spotlights Speech & Language Issues Related to Down Syndrome and Fragile X
• New Resource to Promote Social Competence of Young Children

• FPG Responds to Wall Street Journal Article on Inclusion
• NPDCI to Host Two Webinars
• Save the Date; Inclusion Institute Slated for July 2008
• New Issue of Early Developments Focuses on Achievement Gap
• New Podcast Available: Rejecting the Stereotype: Project U~STARS Assumes “At-Potential”

• FPG Seeking to Hire NECTAC Director (Closed)
• FPG Child Care Program Earns National NAEYC Accreditation
• FPG Partnership to Develop State-Wide Training Plans To Support Early Childhood Inclusion
• FPG to Evaluate Eastern Kentucky School Readiness Effort (Project CLICK)
• Crossing the Language Divide
• New Study to Examine How Child Care Can Meet Needs of Latino Families
• New Research Synthesis on Early Childhood Inclusion Available

• Former FPG Director Honored as International Leader in Gifted Education
• FPG and UNC’s School of Education Create Joint Early Childhood Position
• Four School Districts Awarded Grants to Tackle Achievement Gap
• Caregiver Well-Being Affects Academic Achievement
• FPG Podcast Now Available on iTunes
• New Book Called “Most Thorough and Up-to-date Volume Available” on Developmental Disabilities

• FPG Mourns the Loss of National Leader and Colleague
• FPG Project Featured in Documentary
• FirstSchool Op-ed Published in Chapel Hill News
• Improving Early Reading Skills for Children in Poverty
• Seventh Annual Inclusion Institute to be Held July 31

• FPG Awarded $8 Million for Autism Research and Professional Development
• FPG Fellow Testified at National Summit on America's Children
• NPDCI Selects State Partners
• FPG Staff to Lead 11 Sessions at NAEYC Professional Development Institute
• High-quality Child Care for Low-income Children Offsets Risk of Later Depression
• Using Music to Improve Learning for Children with Autism
• New Issue of Early Developments Available

• FPG Staff to Lead Seven Sessions at Smart Start Conference
• FPG Senior Scientist Featured on PBS Webcast
• Poverty and Early Childhood Intervention
• Are Children with Disabilities Accepted by their Peers?
• FPG Announces Seventh Annual Inclusion Institute

• Education Week Publishes Commentary on Reform by Dr. Gallagher
• Frances Campbell Honored as Distinguished Alumni
• FPG Hosts Ukraine Delegation
• Grace Wright Honored as Yoplait Champion for Making Extraordinary Strides in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
• FPG Teacher Receives Child Care Provider Award
• Relationship of English-Only to Young Children’s Social and Language Skills
• FPG Announces Seventh Annual Inclusion Institute
• FPG Child Care Program to Host Local Early Childhood Inclusion Program
• Institute to Help Preservice Educators Prepare Students to Work with Diverse Children

• FPG Director Recognized for Special Education Work
• FPG Scientist to Provide Diversity Expertise to National Parenting Group
• Quality of Childcare Program May Affect Language Development
• Music Therapy Engages Children with Autism in Outdoor Play
• Increasing Number of Children with Special Needs in NC Child Care

• FPG Scientist Completes Fellowship in Japan
• Documentary Film Crew Comes to FPG
• Syndee Kraus Appointed to National Review Panel
• Preparing Culturally Competent Early Childhood Teachers
• Why Young Children Enter Early Intervention Services
• Institute to Help Preservice Educators Prepare Students to Work with Diverse Children

• Doctoral Student Receives James J. Gallagher Dissertation Award; FPG Employees Also Recognized
• Families need more than quality education from Pre-K programs
• Music Improves Morning Transitions for Children with Autism
• Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs in the United States
• New Book on Evidence-Based Practice

• Camille Catlett Honored by the Division of Early Childhood
• FPG Employee Receives NC State Employees Award
• U.S. Department of Education Awards $15 Million Grant for NECTAC
• FirstSchool leaders develop specialized M.Ed. program focused on preparation of culturally responsive practitioners
• FPG Senior Scientist Provides Guidance to Officials in Ireland
• Evidence-Based Practice Empowers Early Childhood Professionals and Families
• Lack of Consensus on How to Evaluate Programs for Preschool Children with Disabilities Leaves States Floundering
• Fathers Play Significant Role in Language Development of Young Children
• National Professional Development Center on Inclusion Launches Website
• New Website on Recognition and Response, an Early Intervening System for Young Children
• News Service Related to Policy Development and Research on Young Children with Disabilities

• Dr. Samuel L. Odom appointed new director of FPG Child Development Institute
• FPG Fellow receives $6.2 million grant to study achievement gap in minority boys
• FPG Child Development Institute awarded $2.5 million federal grant
• Early Childhood Teachers Often Ill Prepared to Care for Children with Disabilities
• Recognition and Response, Early Intervening System for Young Children At Risk for Learning Disabilities
• Listserv announces early childhood products available at little or no cost