January 6, 2012
To:
NCSC Community of Practice Teachers
From: Jacqui Kearns, Ed.D.
University of Kentucky
NCSC Workgroup III Lead
RE:
Communication Webinar Series
Dear Community of Practice Teachers
We are excited to announce a new two part series on Communicative Competence
as an essential component to accessing the general curriculum for students with
significant cognitive disabilities. Part I will feature four student cases in which we
endeavor to identify their communicative intents, and the form/mode the student
uses. In Part II, we will revisit these students to identify appropriate alternative and
augmentative communication AAC systems and approaches as well as intervention
strategies to boost levels of expressive and receptive communicative competence.
These materials were developed as a result of a collaborative project between Dr.
Jane Kleinert, Ph.D. SLP-CCC, UK Faculty in Communication Sciences and myself,
working with school districts in Kentucky.
In addition, NCSC is working with Dan Habib, a film-maker and producer of
“Including Samuel” to produce case studies and film of students as they develop
communicative competence. We are seeking unique student cases that illustrate
developing communicative competence. If you know of and would like to participate
in the development of a case, please contact your NCSC State Representative.
I would like to thank you for your continued involvement in the NCSC Community of
Practice. Participating teachers who are willing to learn about the Common Core
Standards, the importance of communicative competence, and the relationship of
curriculum, instruction, and assessment will be essential to increasing opportunities,
skills and knowledge for students with significant cognitive disabilities.