Recent Articles
-
Persistent myths about IEPs, 504s, and college admissions/accommodations…
Elizabeth C. Hamblet EducationIn April, I saw a post that said, "It’s IEP season again." At high schools across the country, that’s the time of year IEP teams of families and professionals are finalizing plans for their students — some of whom are now rising seniors. That got me thinking about things I hear from both parents and educators — that some IEP teams are moving students from one kind of plan to another (typically from an IEP to a 504) or off of their plans entirely for their senior year based on misunderstandings about college admissions and accommodations. I hope that addressing these myths will be helpful to everyone involved planning for these students — educators, administrators, other relevant professionals, and family members.
-
An overlooked project management skill: Chief communicator
Deborah Ike CommunicationsWith all of the work involved in managing a project, it’s easy to focus on the details of tasks, risks, budget, and timelines. However, one issue that can quickly derail a project is a breakdown in communication. Many times, one group or department doesn’t understand another or doesn’t know who else needs to know about a particular issue. As the one person with both a 30,000-foot view and access to the detailed tasks, part of your role as the project manager is to bridge these communication gaps. Here are a few ways you can fill that communication role.
-
Grooming women leaders in retail
Catherine Iste RetailRetail is often a first and safe stop for women entering or returning to the workforce because there is normally a low barrier to entry, flexible hours and, in some cases, a discount or service benefit for employees in addition to salary. The problem is that advancement within the space can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Here are some ways to overcome those challenges and help more women grow into leaders.
-
Texas gives teachers a raise with new education funding bill
Julie Anne Wells EducationRecently, the Texas Legislature made unprecedented moves to direct money towards education initiatives. On June 11, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that will reward schools and districts based on their performance, support low-income students, and increase compensation for working and retired teachers. While the new bill guarantees that teachers will receive a raise, it is still unclear what the exact amount will be. Here are a few things we do know about the bill that will impact every school and every teacher in the state of Texas.
-
ICE tells local agencies they can bypass sanctuary city policies
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe new chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced that the agency plans to target more immigrant families for deportation. Additionally, a new ICE program will allow local law enforcement officers to "disregard" sanctuary policies. These cities are so named because they limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. But under the new ICE stance, local law enforcement officers can bypass sanctuary policies and make immigration arrests in jails and correctional facilities on behalf of the agency.
-
HHS’ ONC division wants streamlined prior authorization, better price…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is having a busy time. In addition to its effort to provide clarity for its interoperability rule, the department announced that it’s looking for ways electronic prior authorization can be improved. Don Rucker, head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, said at Academy Health's annual research conference in Washington, D.C., in early June that the current state of prior authorization, including the requirement that providers obtain approval from a patient's insurance before prescribing medication or therapy, is a "non-computerized kabuki of payment" that "needs to get rethought."
-
Wellness experts think Twitter CEO’s wellness habits can be harmful,…
Terri Williams Medical & Allied HealthcareOn a recent podcast, billionaire Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square, shared several of his wellness habits, including how he only eats one meal per weekday, fasts all weekend, and alternates between saunas and ice baths several times each day. However, wellness experts Addie Greco-Sanchez and Lynne Everatt, co-authors of "The 5-Minute Recharge," believe that some of Dorsey’s habits may be harmful and isolating.
-
The one factor that holds leaders back
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI do a lot of executive coaching, and when I ask clients to tell me about their core strengths, they’ll say things like, "I have solid communication skills." Or, "My team enjoys working with me." I’ll then ask their direct reports the same question about my clients. Their responses are usually a stark contrast to what the leader has told me. I’m often left wondering if we’re talking about the same person here! Here’s the reality. No matter how good (or bad) someone is, all that matters is perception.
-
Pharmacists’ role in promoting patient safety through deprescribing
Sheilamary Koch PharmaceuticalPharmacists are obviously key players in prescribing medications. Now, as medication-related harm impacts aging populations, these same pharmacists are being called to take on an equally crucial role in the deprescribing process. Deprescribing is the planned and supervised identification and reduction or discontinuation of unnecessary, inappropriate or ineffective medications. It is a viable route to consider for patients who are suffering from a number of maladies, including polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions, ineffective treatment, falls, or when the goals of treatment have changed, note medical researchers from the Centre for Education and Research on Ageing at the University of Sydney.
-
Is your logo sending the right message?
Lisa Mulcahy MarketingYour company probably created a logo years ago and kept it ever since, believing that familiarity breeds brand loyalty. That can indeed be true if a logo truly serves its products' purpose. But is your logo sending the right message about your brand's specific attributes and benefits? Does it target your audience as effectively as possible? If not, a tweak or complete redesign could be in order to boost your visibility and sales. How can you analyze your logo's messaging strengths and weaknesses? Use these science-based strategies.