Director of MDE's Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services Retires
Friday, July 30, 2010
Jacquelyn J. Thompson, the Director of the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), retires today, July 30, 2010.
Dr. Thompson joined MDE in 1988 and served as an early childhood consultant and early childhood coordinator. She became the director of the OSE-EIS in 1997 and has provided leadership in statewide reform efforts including a statewide transition services initiative, a schoolwide positive behavior support initiative, a statewide autism services and training initiative, student focus groups for the self assessment phase of monitoring, and the development of a comprehensive compliance information and reporting system.
Dr. Thompson’s expertise in child and family policy, program administration, and systems change has been recognized at both the state and national level. She is the past president of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), and she received the group’s Heritage Award in 2009 in recognition of her work on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The award honors significant service and contributions to NASDSE and to the field of special education.
Thompson will be missed, according to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.
"Jacque has been a leader in the use of data and technology to drive continuous improvement and initiated data-driven initiatives, such as Michigan's Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative and the Statewide Autism Resources and Training Initiative, to improve outcomes for students," he said through a spokeswoman. "Through Jacque's commitment and innovative work, the educational opportunities and outcomes for children with disabilities have significantly improved."
Comments
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 By
Ina Wesenberg on
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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Thank you for allowing me to comment and my congratulations to Dr. Thompson. She has done so much to promote, what all of us have known for years: Quality Early Childhood Education is the foundation for all learning.
Her efforts in Special Education and her emphasis on learning for all students has been noteworthy. Her hard work, collaborative nature and the ability to delegate and distribute, what must have been a mountain of duties, made her department work efficiently. It was
responsive to those of us in the field.
Her public service has impacted so many families with young children and validated what so many Early Childhood Educators crave: recognition that what they do makes our communities stronger.
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