Al’s World is a tribute to Albert “Al” Brigance, the man behind the BRIGANCE assessments, and is inspired by special educators like you and the important work you do every day. This series of original watercolor cartoons depicts the day-to-day triumphs and tribulations of Judy, special educator extraordinaire, and her colleagues. We hope Al’s World gives you a smile or two!
The holiday season is upon us! With excitement in the air and vacation right around the corner, this time of year can be crazy for both teachers and students.
‘Tis the season to prioritize your self-care and well-being! This December, find some time to push the reset button. Make sure you are getting the support you need before jumping into the second half of the school year.
Most educators are familiar with the green, yellow, and red triangle used to show the three tiers of instruction associated with Response to Intervention (RTI) or Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). As special educators know, an RTI/MTSS model is most effective when educators see children—not colors but learners, not levels but teaching opportunities, not tiers but can dos, not just gaps or disabilities.
With spooky season in full swing, special educators know the real treat is equitable access to learning experiences for all students.
When Al Brigance started BRIGANCE, he wanted to shift the conversation to what special education students can do. He noticed that assessment tools tended to emphasize what students didn’t know and couldn’t do, and he wanted to change that.
As a special educator, you’re an expert in unearthing what your students can do—drawing out and building on their unique talents and strengths. As you plan assessments for this fall, the work you do to build rapport and organize logistics will make your evaluations more effective, valid, and enjoyable for your students so that they can really show you where they shine.
It’s a much more connected world for students today than it was for many educators growing up. While social media safety has become a critical skill set for all students, it’s especially important for older learners who are transitioning out of special education programs and into life after high school.
Similar to goat yoga practitioners, students can carry a lot of weight on their backs. Special educators are masters of helping students regulate this weight through clear thoughts and calm emotions—even if they're no goat expert.
Collaboration is a beautiful thing, but it isn’t always easy—especially when it comes to IEP meetings.
It can be a challenge to get everyone—the student, their caregivers, teachers, and other supporting professionals—all on the same page. Special educators are masters of meeting these diverse perspectives with empathy and grace.
Special educators know that student behavior is often a result of environment, so the classroom community must be about more than team-building activities.
When you work with exceptional learners, the range of ability levels you encounter can be tremendous. Special educators are no strangers to wearing many hats to serve the needs of each one of their students.
A life of service is a noble pursuit, and it can be exhausting, even when your coffee mug is filled to the brim. With the year winding down and the holiday season upon us, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you to take care of yourself first.
As we eagerly await our fill of turkey, we’re already feeling full of thanks—especially for educators like you who give so much.
Back-to-school time is here! For some, this may mean starting to set your alarm earlier again, while others may want to take advantage of the last few opportunities to sleep in.
Parades, picnics, and pies, oh my! Independence is important to our country and to our students. BRIGANCE now offers the updated Transition Skills Inventory 2 to support you in building a transition roadmap for your middle and high school students as they prepare for life after high school. Additionally, the new digital Transition Skills Activities 2 provides you with instructional materials to support your students in developing the skills they need to thrive as independent adults in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities.
The number of days until summer may be getting shorter, but your to-do list is probably getting longer! As you write your end-of-year progress notes and have your final IEP meetings, BRIGANCE Special Education can support you in monitoring your students’ progress toward their goals and sharing their growth with families. With BRIGANCE, your end-of-year to-do list might be a little less scary this year!
When you’re feeling good, the hallway can really start to feel like a runway. And just like your favorite outfit, individualized education is always in style!
BRIGANCE Special Education inventories help you gain meaningful insights into your students’ strengths and learning needs, providing you with the information you need to write IEPs that will support your students’ success. So go ahead and turn that movement break into a model walk! BRIGANCE looks great on you.
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