Newsletter - Happy New Year from FIESTA!

In This Issue

The self-assessment process involves children with special educational needs (SEN), parents of children with SEN, principals, class teachers and specialist staff to collaborate and take joint actions based on the outcomes of the self assessment process. The process enables forward planning and builds collaborative behaviours. It clarifies any difficulties encountered during transition periods and indicates fields for self-education and training while improving the quality of educational approaches. The self assessment guideline document and the self assessment tools are available for download here.

Louisa's Transition Story
Our FIESTA colleagues in Romania shares the story of Louisa, an 8 year old girl who was born without her right arm and hand. Louisa will be transitioning to a new school in two years time. Below is an account from our FIESTA partners EuroEd.

EuroEd Foundation, the Romanian FIESTA's partner, shares an inclusive education experience in one of its most important dimensions – the preparation of the child for transitioning to another educational level. The relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation between the child, her parents and her school and the open dialogue between them show how beneficial these are for the child.

“Tailor-made Education” Converence May 2014, Groningen, Netherlands

Based on the new law for education in the Netherlands and the FIESTA network we will execute a conference in May 2014 for all teachers in the city of Groningen, ten Boer en Haren. It will be a very practical meeting that will inform the teachers about the consequences of the law for there daily work. We expect about 150 teachers. Also the outcomes of the research of FIESTA will be presented.

FIESTA Research Update

The FIESTA consortium approached the development of the FIESTA network not only with the desire to create an interactive stage for discussing inclusion and inclusive education but also to provide a profound understanding for the underlying cultural, political and practical contexts that support children with additional needs during transition.

Representation at International Conferences
Download Conference Materials

Download presentation materials from FIESTA's 2013 conferences including the Iasi. Romania Conference, LINQ's 'Future of Digital Resources' Conference and the National Disability Authorities annual conference entitled 'Supporting Transitions for people with Disabilities'

What's new for FIESTA in 2014?

Best Practice Report Available in February
Presently, the FIESTA team is working on developing the Best practice report on inclusion, transition and collaborative working, which aims to serve as a source of information for decision/policy makers as well as for practitioners and parents in developing approaches to support children with additional support needs.

Please, search for the FIESTA Best Practice Report on the FIESTA website which will be released in February

E-learning Modules
The e-learning modules will be available in early 2014 via the FIESTA website and will include the following modules – ‘Disability awareness’, ‘Collaborative Working’ and ‘Mentoring/Learning Supports for professionals in education and health.

Final FIESTA Conference – Date Confirmed
The final FIESTA conference will take place on the 4 October 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The conference will focus on the main outcomes of the FIESTA network including the e-learning modules and the sustainability of the network.

Online Story Telling
Children with additional needs, parents of children with additional needs as well as professionals in health and education will share their experiences of transition and inclusion across 8 EU countries. This will be an invaluable tool to share in class and will be available online. If you are interested in participating please contact Kate Kearney: kkearney@enableireland.ie

Best wishes for 2014

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our FIESTA members a Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you in 2014

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