Jean Polichino, OTR, MS,
FAOTA
Senior Director, School-Based Therapy
Services, Harris County Dept. of Education
The season for
witches, broomsticks and simmering potions has arrived! Wait – simmering? Didn’t
I hear that recently in some TEA communique???? Oh yes, that was “SIMR.”
What on earth is a “SIMR?”
Every six years, the U.S. Department of Education (U.S.DOE)
requires states to develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan for the education
of children with disabilities. This plan specifies indicators for improvement in
performance (graduation and drop-out rates, suspensions/expulsions,
participation and proficiency, etc.), with each state setting targets for
students within its borders. Beginning in 2013, the U.S. DOE also requires that
each state develop it’s own unique SIMR, e.g., a statement articulating the
overarching result a State intends to achieve through the implementation of its
plan. It has to be an observable child-level outcome that will show whether or
not the state is making real progress in improving the education of students
with disabilities. Here is the SIMR developed for the state of
Texas:
(Texas will) Increase
the reading proficiency rate for all children with disabilities in grades 3 – 8
against grade level and alternate achievement standards, with or without
accommodations.
In coming months, you will see
and hear more about this literacy focus where you serve. As occupational
and physical therapists, we have a unique knowledge base that can significantly
contribute to local efforts to address this important outcome. It is a great
opportunity to showcase our unique perspectives and critical skill-sets in
problem-solving for children with disabilities.
What ideas are “SIMR-ing” just beneath the surface that will
demonstrate your value in this priority effort for our state? I’ve
included a few of mine to get you thinking....
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Seating and positioning solutions
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Computer/IPad access solutions
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Strategies for visual tracking
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Software ideas for reducing writing
barriers
9/25/2015
