<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoAcetate, li.MsoAcetate, div.MsoAcetate
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
span.BalloonTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Balloon Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text";
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sharon:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Please see Josh Irzyk’s email below. Could you connect Josh or me with any Maryland parents who reached out to MSDE regarding Cog Lab registration but did not
hear back?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Thanks for your help with this,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Valerie<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> Joshua Irzyk -MSDE- [mailto:joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 01, 2015 8:55 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Yingling, Valerie<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Tracy Halka (THalka@parcconline.org); jirzyk@msde.state.md.us; jeff.heathman@pearson.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: MD Cog Lab<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Valerie,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Would you have any way of finding out who the parents are? We still have space open on Tuesday and Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Josh<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joshua Irzyk, Ed.D.<br>
Statewide Vision Low Incidence Specialist<br>
Maryland State Department of Education<br>
200 West Baltimore Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21201<br>
(O) 410-767-0812<br>
(F) 410-333-8165<br>
<a href="mailto:joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov" target="_blank">joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov</a><br>
and<br>
The Maryland School for the Blind<br>
3501 Taylor Avenue<br>
Baltimore, MD 21236<br>
410-444-5000 x 1410<br>
<a href="mailto:joshuai@mdschblind.org" target="_blank">joshuai@mdschblind.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Fri, May 29, 2015 at 4:25 PM, Yingling, Valerie <<a href="mailto:Vyingling@nfb.org" target="_blank">Vyingling@nfb.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Tracy, Josh, and Jeff:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">I’ve gotten feedback from our local members that a number of parents emailed MSDE, but did not get a response about participating in the Cog Labs. I’m not sure who the parents in
question are or to what email they responded, but I do notice that I have three separate emails on record for Josh:
<span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:jirzyk@msde.state.md.us" target="_blank">jirzyk@msde.state.md.us</a>,
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov" target="_blank">joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov</a>;
<a href="mailto:joshuai@mdschblind.org" target="_blank">joshuai@mdschblind.org</a>. Is it possible that one of these emails is no longer active? I’ll let you know if I learn more information.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Valerie</span>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<hr size="3" width="98%" align="center">
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="color:black">From:</span></b><span style="color:black"> Edward Bell <<a href="mailto:ebell@pdrib.com" target="_blank">ebell@pdrib.com</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:37:57 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" target="_blank">ebell@latech.edu</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Jeff Heathman; <a href="mailto:joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov" target="_blank">
joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:joshuai@mdschblind.org" target="_blank">
joshuai@mdschblind.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Requesting your help in finding blind teenagers</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Dear NFB Friend:
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">As you should be aware, the NFB is in a settlement agreement with PARCC to make sure that the online high-stakes tests are accessible to blind kids. I have been working on one of
the subgroups over the last year to help make sure this is done quickly and effectively.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The folks at Pearson, (who are the ones actually developing the test platform) are working to do field-tests, or CogLabs, to try out how the online testing works with real blind
kids. They are working to conduct some of these trials over the next couple of weeks in Baltimore, and are running into difficulty finding participants for the research. I know that with school being over, and everyone sick of standardized testing, the last
thing anyone wants to do is more testing, however, if we want to ensure that this online testing is accessible and useful for blind kids then we need to help to make sure that we get youth to participate in this testing effort.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">When: They are scheduling testing between May 30 and June 3 at the Maryland School for the blind.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Who: We need blind/VI kids in 6th to 11th grade who have working familiarity with JAWS.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">How Long: I believe the testing takes about 1.5 hours in total.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Assistance: Pearson is willing to help parents with transportation assistance, and is scheduling on the weekend, evenings, and any time that is convenient.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Contact: Please help reach out to parents in your area with this request for assistance. You will want to have them contact:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Joshua Irzyk, Ed.D
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Maryland State Department of Education</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">(O) </span><a href="tel:410-767-0812" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">410-767-0812</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt"><br>
</span><a href="mailto:joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">joshua.irzyk@maryland.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Or<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><a href="tel:410-444-5000%20x%201410" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">410-444-5000 x 1410</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt"><br>
</span><a href="mailto:joshuai@mdschblind.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">joshuai@mdschblind.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Please let me know if you have any questions, and I sincerely thank you for your help.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Director, Professional Development and Research</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Institute on Blindness</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Louisiana Tech University</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">210 Woodard Hall
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">PO Box 3158</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Ruston LA 71272</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Office:
<a href="tel:318.257.4554" target="_blank">318.257.4554</a> Fax:
<a href="tel:318.257.2259" target="_blank">318.257.2259</a> (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border:none;border-bottom:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" target="_blank">ebell@latech.edu</a>
<a href="http://www.pdrib.com" target="_blank">www.pdrib.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">**************************************************************</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and
died in cotton fields and sweatshops." </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">-- Stephen Jay Gould</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>