FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

ICARE Schools: A Research Study of Meaningful Parent Involvement in the
Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process
Status: Completed Begin date: October 1, 2004 End date: September 30, 2008
Principal Investigator(s):
Gerner de Garcia, Barbara – Educational
Foundations and Research
Morocco, Catherine – Education Development
Center
Other Investigator(s):
Brigham, Nancy – Education Development
Center
Mata-Aguilar, Cynthia – Education
Development Center
McTigue, Anna – Education Development
Center
Description:
In the four-year ICARE Schools study, the Education Development Center in Newton,
Mass. identified and documented middle schools that use innovative approaches to engage all
families in the education of students with disabilities, particularly the creation and implementation of
students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs). After a systematic nomination, application, and review
process, researchers selected three middle schools that had demonstrated successful parent
involvement and positive outcomes for students with disabilities. Focusing on families from
culturally, linguistically, and socio-economically diverse backgrounds—who often feel isolated—
researchers explored the attitudes and activities of families and educators that foster meaningful
parent involvement at these schools. Study findings, including information about successful
strategies, will be disseminated to a variety of audiences, including schools, families, policymakers,
and researchers.
FY 2007-2008 product(s):
Mata-Aguilar, C., Brigham, N., McTigue, A., Fox, M., & Corrado, F. (2008, April). ICARE Schools: Successful strategies.
Presentation at the annual convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Boston.
Mata-Aguilar, C., McTigue, A., Brigham, N., & Gerner de Garcia, B. (2008, April). ICARE Schools: A study of meaningful parent
involvement in the IEP process. Presentation at the annual convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Boston.
Mata-Aguilar, C., McTigue, A., Brigham, N., & Gerner de Garcia, B. (2008, July). ICARE Schools: A study of meaningful
parent involvement in the IEP process. Poster presentation at the meeting of the Office of Special Education Programs
Project Directors, Washington, DC.
Implementing Bilingual Education for the Deaf in Catalonia: Beliefs About Critical
Knowledge Needed in Bilingual Classrooms With Deaf Children
Status: Ongoing Begin date: March 1, 2006 End date: No set date
Principal Investigator(s):
Gerner de Garcia, Barbara – Educational Foundations and Research
Fernandez-Viader, Pilar – University of Barcelona
Description:
The purpose of this investigation is to study what teachers and support staff believe is the
essential knowledge needed for the successful implementation of bilingual education for the deaf in
Spain. Their views as practitioners and insiders in bilingual settings for deaf students are invaluable
for understanding the crucial elements of bilingual deaf education and improving the support and
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