:: INSOURCE REPORTS - Winter 2006-2007
:: INSIDE THIS ISSUE. . .
Judith "Judy" Alderton Tribute  After a three year struggle with cancer, Judith Ann Alderton “Judy” died Thursday evening, November 16th. She was at home with her family. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Kent Alderton, her daughter and son-in-law, Beth Ann and Mat Ernsberger, her son Robert Kent, her two “precious grand babies,” Daniel and Isabella and her two sisters, Mildred and Betty.
Judy, Kent, Beth Ann and “little” Kent moved to South Bend in the early ‘80s. It did not take her long to find the Task Force on Education for the Handicapped, where she not only found assistance and support for her family, but also an opportunity to serve other families of children with disabilities. Judy trained to be a volunteer Regional Parent Representative. She served as a member of the Board of Directors prior to joining the parent training staff. When the Program Director position of our federal Parent Training and Information project came open, Judy stepped into that position. She managed our federal project and helped manage what came to be the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs (IN*SOURCE) for the next 20 years.
We were in the first group of states that was award a federal PTI project. So from the early days, Judy was a part of the development and growth of the parent center network. Over the years, she developed many close personal relationships with her colleagues here in Indiana and across the country. The outpouring of sadness expressing a personal sense of loss, the expressions of gratitude and appreciation for Judy’s help, support and encouragement from across the parent network have been overwhelming. The respect and affection for her are clear and strong.
I cannot even guess at the number of families that she served, the number of lives that she touched over the many years. The pictures of their children that moms and dads would send, or letters and notes, or the visits just to say hello and to let her know that things were going okay, and to express their continued gratitude for her help and support. She touched so many. She had an advocate’s heart and an unswerving commitment to kids, their families and their schools.
IN*SOURCE has so richly benefitted from her dedication and service. There is no part of the organization that Judy did not help shape and build. From the color of the paint on the walls, to the appearance and content of the materials we use, to the attitude that we bring to our service to families, schools and other service providers, virtually everything has a part of Judy in it. She cared about us and we cared about her. She laughed with us and she cried with us, sometimes she was stern with us. She was honest, thoughtful and caring. We depended on her dedication and commitment. She was fiercely loyal to this organization. She was our friend. She taught us so much and we will be forever grateful.
For well over 20 years, Judy graced us with her giggle, her common sense, her work ethic, her generous spirit, her warm heart, her courage and her love. She rests now and we do so miss her. Good bye, dear friend...
Thanks so much to all of you for your kinds words, your strength and support. And, thank you, Judy for everything...
DEL Reports...
Graduation, Diplomas, Waivers and More
On November 27, 2006 statewide results were released using Indiana’s new formula for calculating graduation rates. The new formula was adopted by the Indiana General Assembly in 2003 and is intended to be a more precise measure made possible by using Indiana’s Student Test Number (STN) to track student progress. That is the good news.
The bad news is that the new formula shows a 76% graduation rate for all of Indiana’s high school students graduating in the class of 2006. Indiana’s special education graduation rate is expected to be considerably below the overall state graduation rate figure and data will soon be available to calculate and report the rate for students with disabilities to include in the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report. Using the previous graduation formula, the one used for the graduating class of 2005, Indiana’s overall graduation rate was 90.1% and the graduation rate for students with disabilities in the graduating class of 2005 was 72.7%.
Every state has a different way of calculating its graduation rate, different credit requirements for graduation, different course titles, and differences with regard to whether a graduation qualifying examination is used. It is also possible to identify flaws in the graduation formula used by every state. In fact, the National Governors’ Association has developed a formula that is being suggested by that organization to provide comparable state and national graduation rate results.
Regardless of what formula is used or how precise the measure, the fact is that too many students are not graduating. This is true for students with and without disabilities. What can parents and mentors do to encourage students to remain in school and complete their formal education? There are several things, including the following:
- Be aware of the requirements for graduation and encourage students to take those courses that will enable them to graduate with a diploma if they are on a diploma track;
- Model and reward those behaviors and choices that will support students to stay in school;
- Be aware of the “waiver” or “alternate documentation” processes that are available to students who have met all graduation requirements except for passing the graduation qualifying examination (GQE);
- Encourage attendance at school so that the “waiver” or “alternate documentation” requirement for “95% attendance” is met; and
- Check out the INDEPENDENCE articles on the DOE website at http://doe.state.in.us/exceptional/speced/independence/welcome.html. These are articles of interest and importance to secondary-level students with disabilities.
It is important too remember that the lack of a high school diploma does not automatically end a student’s education or training. A student with interest, desire and ability can often pursue post-secondary training or education through the “non-traditional” or “probationary” enrollment offered by many institutions.
 
 To make any comments or suggestions with regard to the revision of Article 7, you are invited to send e-mails to tsapc@doe.state.in.us.
From the Executive Director
At the beginning of November, we held our annual state conference. It was a successful event due largely to the hard work of the conference planning committee and the staff. Scott Carson for his leadership, and Lynn Ham for her support efforts and patience deserve special recognition. Thank you both and thank you all.
We had over 200 conference participants including 50 middle school students. The participants reported that the information and materials presented were relevant and helpful. I want to especially acknowledge our keynote presenters, Samantha Abeel and her mom Elizabeth, John Hill, Vicki Lein and Janice Fialka. They were all helpful, thought provoking and inspiring.
Again this year, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Jim Nulty, Emily Compton and the other fine folks at VSA arts of Indiana to exhibit the extraordinary work of 50 Indiana artists with disabilities. We enjoyed the talent and creativity of artists ranging from elementary school students to adults with disabilities.
We were also pleased to collaborate again this year with Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services in bringing one of the keynote speakers to the event. Thanks to Tom Gallagher and Karen Pedevilla for their help and support.
At our conference each year, we recognize individuals who have made important positive differences in the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. We present the “Friend of IN*SOURCE award to an individual who shares our mission of service to individuals with disabilities and their families. Someone who has offered help and support...someone who is a respected colleague and friend. This year it was an honor to present that award to Gary Collings. For well over 30 years, Gary has devoted his professional life to the education of students with disabilities, their teachers and those who support them. Thank you and congratulations, Gary.
Our administrator and education awards are presented to individuals who have been nominated by students, parents and colleagues...people who know and work with them, people who feel and see the positive difference that their help, support, hard work and dedication have made in the lives of children and their families...people who so appreciate the efforts of an administrator or a teacher or other related services or support staff that they have taken the time to submit their names in nomination for these awards.
This year we were proud to present the administrator award to Mr. Jay Peter, Principal of Northwest Elementary School in the Huntington County Community School Corporation. Thank you and congratulations, Jay.
It was a privilege to present the “Education” award to Janice Brown. Jan is a special education teacher working in the Mt. Pleasant Township Community School Corporation in Yorktown, Indiana. Thank you and congratulations, Jan.
On another subject...I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Karen Dodson and her years of service to this organization and the children and families we serve. Thank you for your work and dedication. We will miss you, Karen.
And finally, as is our holiday tradition, we will close our offices from December 25th through January 5th. We will reopen on Monday, January 8th.
Happy Holidays from our IN*SOURCE family. We hope ‘07 brings us all peace, healing and prosperity.
As always, Best Wishes
Rich 
2006 Conference Photo Gallery
CONFERENCE PRESENTERS
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