Director of Special Education
Mrs. Donna Perkins

Whether you are new to our district or a returning Bulldog, welcome to the 2010-2011 school year .   Our theme for the year is "Where Learning Happens!"  New beginnings give all of us a fresh start, and that is certain for the special education department.

BISD is a place where 'technology' happens.  Last year teachers and students were thrilled as Active Boards, projectors, and document cameras arrived in each classroom.  I was definitely excited as I sat in a Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities classroom and saw young students clicking on an Active Board to help tell a story.  Students already knew how to embrace the device and choose the correct answer.

BISD is also a place where 'innovation' happens.  This year eligible special education students will find a variety of new software programs for fluency, reading, early reading, and math to provide individualized instruction at each student’s level.  BISD has upgraded our Kurzweil software to serve secondary students as a text reader for reading assignments and testing situations.  By using federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus dollars, BISD has upgraded special education hardware and disseminated assistive technology equipment and software to teachers and staff for use in each classrooms. 

Today’s students have little fear of these new devices.  With minimal training they are able to easily turn on the device and press an icon to begin!  Many of the new apps available on the iTouch patiently allow a student to be successful in completing an assignment.  There are also benefits for the teachers as they can choose social, reinforcement, and behavioral software for the students to use.  In addition our Speech Therapists are looking forward to using the iTouch to supplement language acquisition and communication.

Finally, BISD is a place where 'new directions' happen.  By utilizing the newest available technological devices, students can use these devices to supplement and accelerate their learning.  What an exciting time for students.

Again, welcome to BISD--"Where Learning Happens!"

Donna Perkins