Special Ed Advocate Newsletter, January 7, 2004 (Issue 242)

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the confusing world of special education.

Highlights: New site - No Child Left Behind at Wrightslaw; how will NCLB affect you; NCLB law, regulations, guidance publications, policy letters; reading and research-based instruction; No Child Left Behind information directories; education statistics & report cards; flyers, fact sheets, brochures, free newsletters; put a Wrightslaw training program on your "to-do" list.

Wrightslaw is ranked #1 in education law, special education law, and special education advocacy. (2003 Alexa rankings)

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! Download newsletter

1. New Site! No Child Left Behind - Wrightslaw

The authorization of any new law brings about a spate of interpretations and questions. The No Child Left Behind Act is raising its fair share of questions and concerns. Self-styled experts may spread wrong interpretations, misinformation and deliberate disinformation.

We built No Child Left Behind - Wrightslaw as a source of accurate, up-to-date information about No Child Left Behind issues - research based reading instruction, annual proficiency testing, tutoring and supplemental educational services, highly qualified teachers, transfers from failing schools, and public school choice.

No Child Left Behind - Wrightslaw is the companion website to Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind by Peter W. D. Wright, Esq., Pamela Darr Wright, and Suzanne Whitney Heath. Info about book

Internet Orders l Mail, Fax, Phone Orders l Bulk Discounts l Exam Copies

2. How Will No Child Left Behind Affect You?

If you are a parent, you represent your child's interests. You need to learn about your rights and responsibilities under No Child Left Behind and how this law affects your child's education.

If you work as a teacher, pupil personnel specialist, or principal, NCLB will have a profound impact on you and your job. If you are knowledgeable about the law, you will be able to meet the challenges of the No Child Left Behind Act.

If you are a school board member, you need to know your responsibilities. If you are a superintendent, you need to collect data, assess curriculums, monitor progress, and determine staff qualifications for specific roles.

If you are an employee of a state department of education, you may be responsible for monitoring compliance, collecting data, aligning state assessments with academic standards, or other activities to improve compliance or achievement.

If you are an attorney or advocate who represents children with disabilities, you need to have the NCLB statutes, regulations and guidance publications.

The articles in How Will NCLB Affect You? were selected to answer your questions. Topics include:

* Parents and Parental Involvement
* Educators
* Reading & Research-Based Instruction
* Tutoring & Supplemental Educational Services
* High-Stakes Tests & Retention
* State & District Responsibilities
* Students with Disabilities

How Will NCLB Affect You?

3. NCLB Law, Regulations, Guidance Publications, Policy Letters

To find answers to your questions about No Child Left Behind, you may want to do your own legal research.

No Child Left Behind Law includes links to the NCLB statute, regulations, guidance publications by Title, policy letters, and other essential publications from the U. S. Department of Education.

No Child Left Behind Law, Regulations, Guidance Publications, Policy Letters

4. Reading and Research-Based Instruction

No Child Left Behind requires schools and school districts to use federal funds on research-based reading programs.

"A primary focus of this law is the requirement that school districts and individual schools use effective research-based reading remediation programs so all children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The law authorizes funds 'to provide assistance to State educational agencies and local educational agencies in establishing reading programs for students in kindergarten through grade 3 that are based on scientifically based reading research, to ensure that every student can read at grade level or above no later than the end of grade 3.' (20 U.S.C.§ 6361)" (page 73, Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind)

Topics in Reading & Research Based Instruction include:

* Learning to Read
* Teaching Children to Read
* Writing
* Research Based Instruction
* Publications
* Research Resources
* Database of Service Providers
* Training Courses & Certified Individuals
* Multisensory Language Providers

If you are looking for a tutor, check the database of service providers from the International Dyslexia Association. If you are a teacher, find training courses that meet federal NCLB standards in Reading & Research Based Instruction.

5. No Child Left Behind Information Directories

We built the No Child Left Behind Information Directories to help you use NCLB and take advantage of opportunities in the law. Information in the No Child Left Behind Information Directories includes:

* NCLB Publications from the U. S. Department of Education
* State Accountability Plans
* Title I Recipients
* Blue Ribbon Schools
* Federal Resources
* Useful Websites

No Child Left Behind Information Directories

6. Education Statistics, Report Cards & Graphs

Objective information is essential to an effective accountability system. Education Statistics, Report Cards and Graphs provide current levels of performance for schools, school districts, and states. These statistics show where we are and how much progress we must make to achieve our goals.

Education Statistics, Report Cards and Graphs

7. NCLB Flyers, Fact Sheets, Brochures, Free Newsletters

You can use flyers and fact sheets to educate others about the No Child Left Behind Act. We collected dozens of informational Flyers, Fact Sheets, Brochures and Free Newsletters about NCLB. Examples:

* Parent's Guide to Supplemental Services
* Using Data to Influence Classroom Decisions
* Getting Students Help
* High Stakes Testing
* Retention and Social Promotion

You can distribute flyers and fact sheets at schools, day care centers, public libraries, doctor's and psychologist's offices, community centers, and hospitals. Ask your school, public library, day care center, and support group to post flyers on their bulletin boards.

Ask your school to include flyers as attachments to your school newsletter. Ask your PTA or SEPTA to distribute flyers. For more ideas, read Using Flyers to Educate Others by Sue Heath

NCLB Flyers, Fact Sheets, Brochures and Free Newsletters

8. Put Wrightslaw Training on Your To-Do List for the New Year

Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs focus on four areas: special education laws, rights & responsibilities; how to use the bell curve to measure progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and tactics & strategies for effective advocacy.