1) First of all, tell us a bit about SAS Wheels.

The SAS Wheels are user-friendly resources to aid teachers with lesson planning.

When planning lessons, teachers need to consider Special Education, English language learners, and cultural diversity. In order to improve and maintain high test scores, teachers need to address their statewide curriculum standards, assessment specifics, testing strategies, vertical and horizontal alignment, real life connections, critical thinking, confidence-building, and parent involvement. The SAS Wheels provide time-tested strategies at their fingertips, which they may directly incorporate into their lessons or these strategies may serve to jog their memory of information that they learned in school or through inservices. The goal is to bring together a variety of helpful tips and ideas about necessary teaching components in order to make the job of teaching easier, more enjoyable, and more effective.

2) What caused you to develop this device?

I provide teacher training throughout Texas. I find that all educators are feeling the pressure of improving state assessment scores. Most new teachers feel overwhelmed with the many components that they are required to address. Experienced teachers want one quick-reference tool that provides them with test-taking strategies, reading comprehension improvement techniques, critical thinking ideas, and behavior management tips. I was forever jotting these down for teachers. Developing the State Assessment Strategy Wheels has allowed me to meet the needs of teachers.

Teachers appreciate the suggestions and ideas that remind them of ways to improve their teaching. Administrators appreciate that the SAS Wheels are a "one-size-fits-all" tool that helps teachers remember to address the individual needs of all students while focusing on critical issues such as high-stakes testing.

3) In general, how well prepared are teachers to work with special education students in the regular classroom? 

All teachers receive basic information about child development and special needs. Special education encompasses such a vast array of anomalies that it is absurd to expect general education teachers to meet all the needs of every special education student. Many of us spend a lifetime studying that rainbow called "Special Education" and we are forever marveling at the many hues within each color on the spectrum.

4) Do you think that we are too engaged in "Teaching to the Test" Or is this a necessary evil in 2007?

I know that educators are being forced to place a strong emphasis on teaching skills that are part of the statewide assessment. Many teachers pass out practice tests and released tests almost on a daily basis. There are a lot of complaints about the competition and the pressure. I am out in different schools almost on a daily basis and I actually have a positive attitude about these changes. I see more accountability on the part of professions. I see children with special needs are learning more in the general education setting. I see academic progress. I believe that we, as a nation, are taking responsibility for improving standards, setting higher expectations, and giving our children valuable tools for their future.

5) Tell us a bit about your work with children with special needs and gifted children also.

I have been an educator for over 30 years. I have worked with children with every disability, every level of severity, and every age. I have been a teacher, residential director, school psychologist, and professor. I am a mom too. It really doesn't matter if a child has an IQ of 40 or 140; all children respond positively to genuine care and attention. Kids are fascinating to watch and it is wonderful to help them grow.

6) Now, specifically, what are TAKS WHEELS, SAS WHEELS, F.A.C.T.S. KITS?

This valuable resource is a series of 60 wheels. The Texas-specific wheels are called TAKS Wheels. The national wheels are the Statewide Assessment Strategy (SAS) Wheels. These are hands-on tools for teachers that provide ideas at their fingertips to address test-taking skills, critical thinking skills for their specific grade level and subject, read aloud book lists, behavior intervention, English Language Learners (ELL or ESL) interventions, math fluency tips, reading comprehension strategies, Special Education accommodations, critical thinking strategies, and much, much more.

The Formal Annual Confidentiality Training System (F.A.C.T.S.) is a user-friendly, professional, confidentiality training "in a box" that addresses IDEIA, FERPA, and PPRA. General confidentiality issues are addressed too. It is very convenient for the trainer because everything you need to train 50 attendees is included.

7) What is your " Elements Curriculum" ?

The Elements Curriculum is designed for high school students who are reading at a second and third grade level.  These students may be English language learners, Special Education students, or students in an alternative setting or homebound. The important thing about this curriculum is that the focus is on respect and success. The content is age appropriate. No more cute bunny pictures and babyish text which embarrass and offend most older students!

The curriculum is aligned with high school standards. Students really are taught algebraic properties, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, the basics of chemistry and physics, about budgeting and money traps, and other objectives that high school students are expected to learn.

Many of the pictures are funny, which appeals to teenagers, and the exercises are success driven. Immediately behavior problems are reduced and students begin to feel self confident. It is marvelous to watch this transformation.

8) What is this "Home Connection Calendar" and why is it important?

The Home Connection Calendar Wheel is my favorite wheel. It is a delightful, interactive calendar and a parent resource. The HCC Wheel has an academic calendar and several wheels that spin to display various pictures in the windows. For example, in the windows of the house, multicultural and multigenerational pictures of family scenes come into view along with positive phrases such as "Catch Your Child Being Good!" There are windows featuring pictures of animals, night creatures, and the lunar phases. There is also a section listing easy and enjoyable activities that parents can do with their child. The sneaky thing is that these activities really work to improve children's success in the classroom.

The Home Connection Calendar Wheel is available in English and Spanish. It is for families with children in grades PK–5.

9) What question have I neglected to ask?

What about research? Educators will want to know that the Elements Curriculum has been used successful in classrooms for over four years. Research indicates that those students using the curriculum show an improvement in grades and behavior.

How would a SAS wheel be used?

• A regular education teacher would use the SAS Wheel when developing the weekly lesson plan to make sure standards are being addressed.
• A teacher may refer to the SAS wheels for a real-life, hands-on activity to help students understand a particular concept.
• Sometimes children who speak a language other than English have problems with academics. A teacher may refer to the SAS wheel for reading strategies.
• A teacher may keep the SAS Wheel handy as a quick reference for teaching strategies, tips for vertical and horizontal alignment, and ways to differentiate instruction.

10) Do you have a web site or an 800 number or an e-mail address where individuals can learn more about SAS Wheels?

Please contact me at Firelight Books (www.firelightbooks.com) or 800-975-0054.

Published March 29, 2007