HomeIssues in EducationEmpowering Abilities

Empowering Abilities

This series shines a light on the abilities of students with physical and mental disabilities and approaches to teaching them.

Leaders begin transition of center programs from GRPS to Kent ISD

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

The Grand Rapids school board voted to discontinue operating special education center programs on behalf of all 20 Kent ISD school districts, effectively turning them over to the intermediate district as of July 2019...

Let’s review center-based special education programs, say superintendents

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

A study will bring in an outside consultant to evaluate whether GRPS center-based programs are providing best practices compared with other districts in Michigan and beyond...

Signing for Children Opens ‘Window to Information’

Northview Charles Honey

Early on a Monday morning, Kari Chapin’s kindergartners sit on the floor as she leads them through lively exercises -- singing the days of...

Grant Brings Sex Ed Instruction to Students with Special Needs

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese

Eighth-grader Bryan Galvez aptly summarized the consequences of healthy versus risky decisions when it comes to teens and sex. “Would you rather have a...

Signs of Understanding

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese

Senior Nathan Ketchpaw uses sign language with big motions –– wide arms, a broad grin. His favorite sign? "Lion," he demonstrates, running his hand...

‘A Chance to Have a Meaningful Life’

Caledonia Erin Albanese

Dutton Elementary School second-grader Daniel Donaldson uses pictures and words on his talker to say what he needs to say. "The device gives me...

‘They Learn by Music’

Empowering Abilities School News Network

A drum beat echoes down the halls of Sparta's Appleview Elementary. The source: a boisterous bunch of musicians keeping a beat and dancing to the...

‘Like Brothers and Sisters’

Byron Center Erin Albanese

High school senior Kamryn Jansen helped sophomore Chris Lippenga to screen print a previously tie-dyed T-shirt. On the front they printed “LINKS” and on...

‘A Model Program’ Says State Supe

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

About halfway through a tour of Northview High School and its Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program, junior Bozena Sneller asked state Superintendent Brian...

Talking About Sexuality Is Rarely Easy

Empowering Abilities Linda Odette

There is a huge gap in what students with special needs know about human sexuality and what to do if they face a related...

Disable the Label

Empowering Abilities Morgan Jarema

Josh Vandyk has been called names by his peers. "Monster" is one that particularly hurt, he said. There have been others. And he's heard...

Student Group Explores Latest Assistive Technology

Empowering Abilities Morgan Jarema

Tony Bonofiglo was trying to be as helpful as possible to the woman sitting across from him. She was wearing a blue plastic band...

Student with Autism Hits Milestones Thanks to Teachers, Students

Caledonia Linda Odette

Connor Zondervan is pretty much like every other senior at Caledonia High School. He takes classes, is getting ready to graduate, and figuring out...

High Schoolers’ Work with Kindergartners Yields ‘Remarkable Results’

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

More than a dozen teenagers and young children sat politely in a circle on the gym floor. Then came the craziness. “Duck, duck, duck, duck...

For Special Needs Children, Research Shows Early Intervention Works

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

One morning at his daughter’s school, Tom Walla watched contentedly as 3-year-old Libby pasted leaves onto a wreath with help from a teacher, then...

1 2 34Page 4 of 4

- Sponsorship -

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

Join these sponsors

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Tour sparked interest in welding

He forecasts snow days with increasing accuracy

‘It’s a civic responsibility,’ teacher says of education work

Someday, he could be on your election ballot

A career in auto repair? For some students, it starts in high school

Lightbulbs are going on thanks to Home Essentials class

New math curriculum spurs creative thinking

Students go 3D with pens

District addresses needs of autism students with smaller classrooms

Podcast: Schools hearing concerns from families over federal deportation plans

Podcast: ‘Serious fun’ leads to serious success

What’s in store for federal education dollars?

Empowering Abilities

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS