The Morton Foundation Inc

THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES A PROGRAM AND STAFF TO WORK AT YORK MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH TEACHERS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION CASE MANAGERS IN GRADES 5-8 TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS. TODAY'S EDUCATION MODEL IS BASED ON AN INCLUSION MODEL THAT MEANS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS SHOULD BE LEARNING IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH IN MOST CASES MEANS THE REGULAR EDUCATION SETTING. THE CHALLENGE IS THE CURRICULUM BEING OFFERED IN SCHOOLS IS NOT DEVELOPED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS. THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM PROVIDES A STAFF PERSON, CAROLYN SAYWARD, WHO IS A CERTIFIED MAINE TEACHER WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE. SHE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION CASE MANAGERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS (IEP). SHE COLLABORATES WITH THE GRADE LEVEL TEAMS TO DISCUSS HOW SHE CAN ADAPT CURRICULUM TO BETTER MEET STUDENT NEEDS.

PROGRAM FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION: YOUNG ADULTS IN THE ODYSSEY YEARS ARE SEARCHING FOR MEANING. THEIR EDUCATION, WHILE HIGHLY CREDENTIALED, TENDS TO BE VOCATIONAL IN NATURE. MANY PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEIR FORMAL EDUCATION HAS OMITTED THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AND THINK ABOUT WHAT TRULY MATTERS. WITHIN OUR AFFLUENT SOCIETY, THEY MAY HAVE THE MEANS TO LIVE COMFORTABLY, BUT LITTLE SENSE OF WHAT'S INVOLVED IN TRULY LIVING WELL. THAT IS THE AUDIENCE AND THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO ADDRESS, IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:*COMPLETING A SERIES OF BRIEF INTRODUCTION VIDEOS FOR PLATO'S DIALOGUES. SUCH A LIBRARY OF CONTENT IS A UNIQUE RESOURCE ON YOUTUBE.* PUBLISHING THOUGHTFUL BUT ACCESSIBLE ARTICLES ON LIBERAL EDUCATION IN POPULAR JOURNALS OF OPINION OR CRITICISM.* USING SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES TO WEALTH-RELATED AUDIENCES TO FOCUS THESE EVENTS ON QUESTIONS OF LIVING WELL IN LIGHT OF THE LIBERAL ARTS.