Special Ed Advocate Newsletter, November 11 2003 (Issue 234)

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the confusing world of special education. In this issue, we look at reading and No Child Left Behind.

Highlights: Reading by grade 3; research-based reading instruction; pre-pub offer on Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind includes free shipping on all Wrightslaw books; new Yellow Pages for Kids; last Wrightslaw training programs in 2003.

Download newsletter in html: https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/03/nl.1111.htm

The Special Ed Advocate newsletter is free - please forward this issue or the subscription link to your friends and colleagues so they can learn about special education law and advocacy too. We appreciate your help!

1. NCLB: Reading by Grade 3

Regardless of the child's disability, most kids kids who receive special education have deficits in reading. In many cases, special education does not remediate children's reading skills.

The U. S. Department of Education published these findings in the Nation’s Report Card:

Because two-thirds of students are not proficient readers when they graduate from high school, No Child Left Behind focuses on teaching children to read.

In Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind, you learn that one purpose of the law is "to ensure that every student can read at grade level or above . . . [by] the end of grade 3."

The law requires schools to implement research-based reading programs and "prepare teachers, including special ed teachers . . so teachers have the tools to effectively help their students learn to read."

NCLB requires states and school districts to select or develop "effective instructional materials, programs, learning systems, and strateges that have been proven to prevent or remediate reading failure . . ."

Marianne writes: "My child receives special education - does this law apply to him?" Yes!

Read NCLB: Reading by Grade 3 - https://www.wrightslaw.com/nclb/reading.grade3.htm

4 Great Things About Reading in NCLB - https://www.wrightslaw.com/nclb/4defs.reading.htm

No Child Left Behind - https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/nclb.index.htm

2. Research-Based Reading Instruction: Providers and Training by Sue Heath

No Child Left Behind has focused attention on research-based reading instruction.

Are there experts in this field?

Is there an organization that can answer questions that educators, school board members, and parents have about effective instruction?

Is there a way to find tutors for children with reading problems? Independent evaluators?

Yes to all.

For answers to questions about reading problems, research-based reading instruction, tutors, and training, read Research-Based Reading Instruction by Sue Heath.

https://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/research.based.reading.htm

Read more articles about creative advocacy strategies in Doing Your Homework.

3. Pre-Publication Offer on Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind Ends Soon!

“Easy to read, incredibly informative – a ‘must read’ for all parents in America.” — Dr, Elaine Holden, The Reading Foundation

When you order Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind with the Wrightslaw NCLB CD-ROM, you will receive the Wrightslaw Special Education Law CD-ROM with your order. (Value: $14.95)

You will also receive free shipping on all Wrightslaw books. [Pre-Pub Offer]
https://www.wrightslaw.com/news/2003/nclb.prepub.htm

“Incredible and right on the money! Gives me ammunition to help more parents and kids . . . inspires me and makes me feel like slaying windmills again. Another win for the kids!” — Fran Dobrowolski, advocate

To Order

Order in the Wrightslaw store; https://www.wrightslaw.com/store/index.html

Toll-free fax and mail orders: https://www.wrightslaw.com/bks/orderform.htm

Offer ends Tuesday, November 18!

4. Need Help? Visit the Yellow Pages for Kids

We built the Yellow Pages for Kids site so so you can find information and help in one place.

The Yellow Pages for Kids was originally offered on fetaweb.com. We decided to build a website specifically for the Yellow Pages for Kids.

When you visit your state Yellow Pages, you will find many different resources - government programs, grassroots organizations, and support groups. You will also find evaluators, therapists, tutors, special Ed schools, and parent support groups.

To get the word out about the state Yellow Pages for Kids , Debra Pratt designed flyers for each state.

http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/state.flyers.htm

State Yellow Pages flyers are in printer-friendly pdf format.

We need your help!

Ask your school, public library, day care center, and support group to post your state flyers on their bulletin boards and websites.

Ask your child's teacher to post your state Yellow Pages flyer in the teacher's lounge and guidance office. Ask the school to include the flyer in your school newspaper too!

Ask your PTA or SEPTA to distribute the flyer. State Yellow Pages Flyers are great to distribute at conferences, seminars, training programs, and workshops.

Forward flyers to your friends and family members who live in other states.

Access all state flyers from this page: http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/state.flyers.htm

5. Last Wrightslaw Programs in 2003 - VA, NY, OK!

"What a marvelous conference! I often leave sped presentations angry and/or guilty because of all the things that have been done or not done. This time I left encouraged, inspired and armed!"

Please join Pete and Pam Wright for a full day legal & advocacy training program in Northern VA/DC, Syracuse, NY or Cental Oklahoma. These are the last programs in 2003!

The programs focus on four areas; special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests and measurements to measure progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and an introduction to tactics & strategies for effective advocacy. All programs have been approved for CLEs.

Registrants at these programs will receive two books - Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy (value: $59.90).

Northern Virginia/Maryland/DC: November 12, 2003

This program will be held at the Prince William County Government Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. For information about this program, including hotels, directions, and things to do, please visit the Virginia conference page at https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/03.11.va.htm

Approved for 6 CLE credits.

Questions? Please call (800) 649-8481 or E-mail: information@autismva.org

Syracuse, New York: November 15, 2003

This program will be held at the Corey Union Building at SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY. For more information about the New York program, including hotels, directions, and things to do, please visit the New York conference page at https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/03.11.ny.htm

Approved for 6.5 CLE credits.

Questions? Please call Mary Harrington (315) 637-4438 or E-mail Marpeth@Juno.com

Central Oklahoma: December 6, 2003 (FREE for OK Parents and Caregivers)

This Wrightslaw program will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma Wellness Center in Edmond, Oklahoma on Saturday, December 6, 2003. For more information, please visit the Oklahoma conference page - https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/03.12.ok.htm

Approved for 7 CLE credits.

Questions? Please call the Oklahoma Disability Law Center. In Oklahoma City dialing area: (405) 525-7755 v/tdd. Outside OKC dialing area: (800) 880-7755 v/tdd. In Tulsa dialing area: (743) 6220 v/tdd. Outside Tulsa dialing area: (800) 226-5883 v/tdd

Wrightslaw Legal & Advocacy Training Programs

For information about programs that will be held over the next few months, please check our Seminars & Training page.

If you are interested in learning how to get Pete & Pam Wright to your community, please read our FAQs about Seminars.