Wrightslaw

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

Highlights: President signs reauthorized IDEA; highly qualified special ed teachers under IDEA 2004; help for teachers, principals, paraprofessionals; free shipping & price cuts - holiday special; what is your NCLB IQ?; free pub - The Road to Nowhere; winter schedule - Wrightslaw programs in FL, NJ, OH, NY, MO. Download this newsletter.

Quote of the Week: Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Wrightslaw is ranked #1 in education law, special education law, and special education advocacy. (2004 Alexa rankings)

On Friday, December 3, the President signed the reauthorized IDEA into law. The signing ceremony was attended by members of Congress and officials from the Department of Education.

Most provisions of the new Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 will take effect on July 1, 2005. Learn more.

"I am a special education teacher. I have an undergraduate and a master's degree in special education. I hold certifications in LD, ED and MR. Do I meet the highly qualified teacher requirements in IDEA 2004?"

We answer this teacher's questions - and try to "fill in the blanks" about highly qualified teacher requirements - in a new article, What are the New Requirements for Highly Qualified Special Education Teachers?

Coming Soon: New rules about IEP meetings, medicating children, discipline . . .

Articles about IDEA 2004:

How Will IEPs Change Under IDEA 2004? IDEA 2004 includes new requirements about IEPs and scientifically based instruction for children with disabilities.

Rule 11 & Attorneys Fees - IDEA 2004 includes a provision that permits school districts to recover fees from attorneys who represent parents. Pete describes this new provision, improper litigation, frivolous actions, and the practical implications of this new statute.

Learn more about IDEA 2004.

"I am a special ed teacher. I am struggling to write IEP goals for my students. My district says NCLB requires IEP goals to be tied to annual state assessments. But my students need IEPs that focus on their needs. Help!"

"My school uses a Balanced Reading method for LD students. Does this method meet the requirements for a research based reading program under NCLB?"

"My paraprofessional is wonderful and effective but she does not meet the new NCLB educational requirements. She cannot afford to go to college for two years. How can we keep good paras in our classrooms?"

"I am a high school English teacher. I need information about the laws that affect my students with learning disabilities."

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) affect many aspects of education. You will find useful information quickly at Help for Teachers, Parapros & Principals. Topics include:

* The Basics: Legal Requirements for Education
* Highly Qualified Teachers
* Classroom Life
* Teacher Litigation
* Working with Parents Toward Common Goals
* Research Based Instruction
* Keeping an Eye on Graduation
* Different Routes to the Classroom
* Free Newsletters & Training
* Useful Books and Websites

Help for Teachers, Parapros & Principals. More topics.

Wrightslaw publications make great gifts. When you send a book to a friend, family member, teacher, colleague or advocate, they will receive your gift in a special holiday box. Learn more.

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law $29.95 $24.95 plus free shipping - Save $9.95

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide $29.95 $24.95 plus free shipping - Save $9.95

Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind $29.95 $24.95 plus free shipping - Save $9.95

Personal Message: Pete and Pam Wright will autograph your book and/or write a personal message to your recipient. More holiday specials.

"The Road to Nowhere: The Illusion and Broken Promises of Special Education Instruction in the Baltimore City and Other Public Schools” by Kalman R. Hettleman was published by The Abell Foundation.

You can download this publication by going to The Abell Foundation site and clicking this link. You can also request a printed copy by sending an email to the author.

Will the reauthorized IDEA tackle the problems identified in this hard-hitting report?

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training 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.

Schedule: Winter 2005

Orlando, FL: January 21-22, 2005 (Mini Boot Camp)

Cherry Hill, NJ: February 18-19, 2005 (Boot Camp!)

Cincinnati, OH - Mini Boot Camp - February 23-24, 2005 - SOLD OUT!

Long Island, NY - LIACSN, Inc. - March 4-5, 2005 (Mini Boot Camp)

Kansas City, MO - Paseo Academy - March 29, 2005

All participants in these programs will receive two books, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, with their registration (Value: $59.90).

If you are interested in bringing a Wrightslaw program to your community, please read FAQs about Seminars. (We are scheduling programs for 2006.)

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Subscribers receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books.

Contact Info

Pete and Pam Wright
Wrightslaw & The Special Ed Advocate
P. O. Box 1008
Deltaville, VA 23043
Website: https://www.wrightslaw.com
Email: newsletter@wrightslaw.com