The Council of Graduate Schools posted a resolution, “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants,” regarding offers and acceptances of financial assistance for graduate students. Financial support—scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships—is commonly offered at the same time as an offer of admission for advanced graduate studies, and such offers need to be tendered and accepted within publicly known terms. The resolution affirms that students may entertain more than one offer and, if done appropriately, may renege on an agreement to accept an offer.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer

For more, including a complete copy of the statement and a list of the signatories, see “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants.”

Camp Baker Services in Chesterfield (VA, US) provides residential summer camp, day summer camp, weekend respite services, emergency respite services, day support services and an after school program for over 590 individuals with disabilities each year. Officials at Camp Baker Services have opportunities for people interested in working with children, youths, and adults, including summer jobs and spring, summer, and fall internships.

“We operate 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year,” Shirley O’Brien, the Senior Director at Camp Baker Services, reports. “The individuals who attend our programs range from 6-80 years of age and from mild intellectual delays to severe intellectual and physical delays. We are a fully barrier-free, modern facility on 22 acres.”

Most of the currently available jobs—counselors, lead counselors, head counselors, and activity leaders as well as program director and staff manager—are for the residential summer camp that, according to Dr. O’Brien, is attended by 320 individuals with disabilities. “Our summer programming includes wellness, swimming, sport and games, archery, arts and crafts, music and drama, horticulture, nature, camping, and cooking. Additionally, we have internship positions open for the Summer of 2010 that includes free room and board.”

Visit Camp Baker Services at the Richmond (VA, US) ARC.

The Council for Exceptional Children is seeking applications for the position of Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services. Here are some particulars about the position. See the link near the end of this post to download a copy of the announcement.

Position Title: Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services
Classification: Category 10 (Exempt) Starting Salary Range: $86,340 to $107,924.
Unit: Professional Development Services
Reports to: Executive Director
Selection Procedure: Evaluation of written application materials, relevant education, experience, and references. Personal/panel interview(s) of top-rated candidates.
Application Procedure: Each candidate must submit a current resume and cover letter to: Recruiter, Norma Marshall, preferably via Email to cecnm@att.net. (Voice: 336-547-8315).Mailed resumes should be sent to: Council for Exceptional Children, 1110
North Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704 Persons requesting accommodation during the application process should also contact the Recruiter.
Application Deadline: Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Visit the CEC Web site at http://www.cec.sped.org

Download a PDF of the announcement of the position.

The faculty in special education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia is soliciting applications for doctoral study. Click on the accompanying image to download a copy of the flyer describing the program.

The Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children will hold its annual conference in October of 2009 in Coronado (CA, US) near San Diego. There’s an all-star lineup of presenters who don’t just spray and pray; they conduct 3-hour workshops so that participants know how to implement practices in clinical and school settings.

Learn more: Click here.

Siegfried Engelmann, the developer of Direct Instruction, has revised his Web site. If you’re a teacher educator concerned about preparing people to help students with disabilities, you almost certainly know about Zig’s DI programs and you’ve probably read some of his writings. His revised site has videos as well as previously un-published papers that are worth reviewing. The site is available a Zig Site.

Verano en México 2009

Study abroad in the beautiful city of Guanajuato! On-site cultural and educational experiences and instruction will take place at the University of the Americas in Mexico City, the Universidad de Guanajuato, the Academia Falcon and in public school settings in Guanajuato, México. As part of the program, you will spend the first five days in Mexico City visiting such sites as the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology, the pyramids at Teotíhuacan, the Frida Kahlo Museuem, the Ballet Folklórico, and the world famous Diego Rivera murals in the National Palace and the Secretary of Education. Participants also meet with educational officials from the Secretary of Education in Mexico City.  In Guanajuato, students are placed in regular and special education settings 20 hrs per week for four weeks in public schools. Coursework is provided by faculty from Chile, México, Perú, and the U.S.  This is an enriching educational experience that will provide an opportunity to reflect on your own cultural identity and professional practice. See the Verano en México brochure .

Deadlines

Application and Travel Grant Deadline : March 15, 2009
$300 Non-Refundable Deposit Due : April 1, 2009
Final Payment of Fees : April 21, 2009

Applications

Apply by visiting the University of Arizona Study Abroad Office web site (www.studyabroad.arizona.edu ) and search for the keyword ‘verano’. Or, visit the Verano en Mexico Study Abroad page directly .

More Information

See the Verano en México brochure . Visit the Verano en México web site (www.uacoe.arizona.edu/verano ). And, contact Dr. Todd Fletcher or Renee Griggs.

Dr. Todd Fletcher, Project Director
toddf@u.arizona.edu
(520) 621-0939

Renee Griggs, Study Abroad Office Contact
griggsr@email.arizona.edu
(520) 626-7180

Fans of the IRIS Center will want to know about new introductions to the excellent resources available at the IRIS center. These self-guided tours are good ways to introduce people who are new to the IRIS world.

These short, informative movies offer a detailed look at The IRIS Home Page and The IRIS Resource Locator, as well as a helpful how-to on Navigating an IRIS Module. To get started, simply go to the IRIS Home Page at http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/ and click on the orange Web Tours button. You can also access the tours directly by going to http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/index_signup_tour.php.

These self-guided tours were developed in part by Tim Braun of Loyola Marymount University. Tim also leads guided tours of the IRIS Web site for those interested in a more interactive and in-depth experience. You can sign up for one of these guided tours at http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/index_signup_tour.php. Just let us know your name, email address, and institutional, departmental, or organizational affiliation. We will get back to you as soon as possible with confirmation and further details.

The Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders has a great-looking conference coming soon. Learn more over at EBD Blog entry entitled “CCBD forum 2009.”