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Special Education

A series on special education in Kent County. School News Network will take readers into classrooms around the area to shine a light on new approaches to teaching students with physical and mental disabilities.

Special needs preschooler thrives in inclusive program

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Alivia Brewer is a non-verbal, special needs preschooler, who has become an integral part and a calming presence in her preschool class...

Apprentices explore their creative potential

Kent ISD Morgan Jarema

This one-year program is one of a handful of visual and performing arts programs with Artists Creating Together for young adult students with special needs...

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Young adult students learn skills for work and life

Grandville Brett Atwood

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn the ins and outs of possible job opportunities after high school...

We can be great friends, even with differences

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

Godfrey Elementary fourth-graders learn about inclusion, acceptance and showing kindness...

Pre-teach, teach, reteach

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Students learn through a “pre-teach and reteach model,” sometimes receiving instruction three different times as additional support...

Learning something new expands life, social skills

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Students in an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderately Cognitively Impaired program explored many types of art and dance, thanks to a grant...

Trash becomes treasure during bucket art project

Special Education Erin Albanese

Students in teacher Laura Sluys’ special education class and general education students recently worked together on an artistic project in partnership with the program, Artists Creating Together...

It’s a clean sweep

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

An opportunity to work on life skills leads to a group of Kent ISD Community Transition Center students helping one local restaurant during the pandemic...

‘There is something about inclusion’

Sparta Janice Holst

This teacher has made it her mission to help students with mild impairments find their way in school and beyond...

Virtual preschoolers stay on track, connect through activities

School 2.0 Erin Albanese

Read-alouds, group songs, fine-motor skills, weekly teacher-parent-child meetings are all happening online...

Expressing their gratitude

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

KTC students have joined forces to help send a message of appreciation to local veterans...

Through screens and technical glitches, learning goes on

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

In a year of forced online learning, teachers themselves have had much to learn in keeping students engaged and progressing...

Students pair up to overcome challenges

Grand Rapids Community College Alexis Stark

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed some doors, a window opened to a new partnership between Grand Rapids Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant students and college-aged adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities...

KCTC and KTC Core students roll up their sleeves to help reduce water runoff at Kent ISD

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The water from the Kent ISD area feeds into the Lamberton Creek watershed. The plants will aid in reducing the amount added to the creek...

At-home learners stay connected through a new resource

Kent City Janice Holst

In late October, Kent City Elementary opened a designated room to give families who have chosen virtual education extra resources and support...

Kent ISD focused on improving outcomes for center-based special education students

Kent ISD James Harger

Now that Kent ISD has completed its takeover of nine center-based special education programs, Director Paul Dymowski says it’s time to focus on improving outcomes for the nearly 1,400 students enrolled in the programs...

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School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

‘You can do anything and everything’

Dads demonstrate dedication to students and learning

His heart is in the health care field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Book battle promotes literacy, teamwork

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Red Hawk Rivals episode 2: ‘Cornhole’

High-school journalists provide behind-the-scenes look at news production

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

Diving into social-emotional learning

Special Education

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