Julie L. Thompson, M.Ed., BCBAJulie L. Thompson is a doctoral candidate in Special Education at UNC Charlotte who anticipates graduating in May 2014. She also earned her Master’s degree from UNC Charlotte. As a recipient of the NIFDI Research Fellowship Grant, Julie was able to conduct a study investigating the effects of proximity fading and task breaks on student responding during small group Direct Instruction in mathematics with students with ASD. Results demonstrated a functional relation between the intervention and students’ ability to actively respond during small group instruction. One student, an English Language Learner, required an instructional cue in her native language to increase her participation to mastery level. Following the promising results of this study, Julie is continuing this line of research for her dissertation and plans to extend the research by measuring generalization of active responding across DI curricula (Connecting Math Concepts and Language for Learning) as well as measuring accuracy of response and assessing mathematics skill acquisition using distal standardized measures.

SAN ANTONIO (September 27, 2013) – IDEA Public Schools, a nationally recognized public charter school network, celebrated the opening of its thirtieth school, IDEA South Flores, with a ribbon cutting earlier today while highlighting expansion plans. The ribbon cutting featured Mayor Julian Castro, IDEA founder and CEO Tom Torkelson and IDEA San Antonio region executive director, Rolando Posada.

The addition of IDEA South Flores to IDEA Public Schools’ growing network brings the San Antonio total to four schools serving nearly 1,000 students. IDEA Public Schools entered the San Antonio region when it partnered with The Carver Academy, founded by NBA legend David Robinson, in February of 2012. Robinson, an IDEA San Antonio regional board member, was unable to attend the event, but left a video message for the audience. “IDEA Public Schools is committed to doing whatever it takes to closing the achievement gap, and we’re just getting started,” he said.

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CNN aired a special on Friday, August 30th hosted by Soledad O'Brien that looked at African American students in education today and the gap in achievement between these students and their white counterparts. The special - Great Expectations: A Black in America Special - followed the stories of three at-risk students for a year at Harvest Prep/Seed Academy in Minneapolis where Direct Instruction is utilized. 

Earlier in the day, Ms. O'Brien sat down with CNN's morning show to discuss the documentary

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The Series Guide for the new Direct Instruction math program, Connecting Math Concepts: Comprehensive Edition, is now available! Contact your local McGraw-Hill representative to get your copy. Not sure who your representative is? Call McGraw-Hill at 800-334-7344.

You can also find additional information on the Connecting Math Concepts: Comprehensive Edition program on McGraw-Hill's website.