Help for IEP Meetings, Mental Health on Campus, More

TIME OFF FOR IEP MEETING. The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that parents and guardians may use the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to go to IEP meetings. The opinion was qualified by the words that the meeting be the result of a “serious health condition.” Presumably a doctor would certify that a learning difference qualified. Find what Education Dive writes about the opinion. Find out more about the FLMA.

TIMERS IN THE CLASSROOM. Education Dive riffed on a Jay Matthews column in The Washington Post. (Stick with us here.) Matthews was writing about 1) a “Success for All” program where teachers use timers so as not to “bog down” lessons; and 2) an educator who has written two “Teach Like a Champion” books that emphasize timers. Matthews compared the techniques to the way presidential debate monitors keep things moving. Education Dive noted that there are advantages to using timers in the classroom but also alluded to potential problems. Our take? A teacher should have a very good knowledge of his or her students and their abilities/disabilities/sensitivities before making timers an important part of classroom work.

MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE is of concern to students, parents — and college presidents. A survey by the American Council on Education of over 400 presidents showed more attention to the issue and more funding over the past three years, according to a Politico Education report. Find the survey results.

NEWSLETTERS
— Julie Skolnick’s monthly issue of “Gifted and Distractible” is out, and it includes Julie’s top 10 considerations for parenting and teaching 2e. Find it.
— The Child Mind Institute’s weekly newsletter features sleep — the lack of it, that is — for teenagers. Find it.

EVENTS
— August 22, “ADHD and Emotions,” rebroadcast of an expert chat from Understood. More information.
— August 26, “How to Calm Back-to-School Anxiety,” live expert chat from Understood. More information.
— August 29, free webinar from ADDitude, “Reset Your Schedule for School: How to Create a Calmer, Happier, Easier Routine.” More information.