Children with reading disorders need research-based instruction that targets their specific problems. Is Reading Recovery appropriate for children with reading disorders?

Frustrated with your school district? Learn how you can organize a successful parent group.

Subscribers on January 24, 2005: 47,544

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1. From the Editor: Should Schools Use Reading Recovery for Children with Reading Disorders?

On February 11, we will be in Atlanta for the annual conference of the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Our keynote address is "Reading and the Law."

On February 20, we will discuss these issues in What You Don't Know about IDEA 2004 CAN Hurt You! in Manassas, VA.

To prepare for these programs, we reviewed questions from parents and educators about teaching children to read. One question stood out:

"The largest school district in our state uses Reading Recovery for kids with reading disorders. Many parents are concerned that RR is not effective nor appropriate for children with reading disorders. What do you know about Reading Recovery?"

Reading Recovery has been studied by independent reading researchers since the late 1980's. These experts concluded that Reading Recovery is not effective, and is not appropriate for children with reading disorders.

But you don't have to take our word for this.

Here is what reading experts know about Reading Recovery and why they wrote an open letter in 2002, urging schools to stop using Reading Recovery.

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2. Reading Recovery: What Do School Districts Get for Their Money? A Review of the Research by Dr. Melissa Farrall

Reading Recovery is an early intervention program that has been widely acclaimed as an effective means to improve the reading skills of young children.

How effective is Reading Recovery? What does the research on Reading Recovery show?

Dr. Melissa Farrall answers these questions in Reading Recovery: What Do School Districts Get for Their Money? A Review of the Research.

Reading at Wrightslaw - More information about learning to read, teaching children to read, free publications, caselaw and more.

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3. Why Reading Recovery is Not Appropriate for 1st Grade Children with Reading Disorders

Dr. Joseph Torgesen is a professor of psychology and education at Florida State University and director of the Florida Center for Reading Research.

Dr. Torgesen is also one of the most highly respected reading researchers in the world. He is the author of approximately 200 research articles and books.

In Why Reading Recovery is Not Appropriate for First Grade Children, Dr. Torgesen describes problems with Reading Recovery and why schools should not use this program, especially with children who have reading disorders.

In an open letter to policy makers, educational leaders, researchers, and federal organizations published in 2002 , more than 30 international reading researchers expressed their serious concerns about the continued use of Reading Recovery in public schools.

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4. How to Organize a Successful Parent Group by Sue Heath

My 19 year old daughter is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives and education of kids who are in the system or who will enter the system.

Parents in our district want to organize a group to become more effective advocates for our children. Do you have suggestions about how we can start a new organization and make it successful?

Sue Heath answers: "The key to success is to empower others by providing quality information.

"Make sure every member of your group has copies of two articles: One Parent is a Fruitcake and What One Person Can Do (Do You Have a Free Hour?)

In How to Organize a Successful Parent Group, Sue explains how to develop a communication network, build a simple website, publicize events, team up with other groups, and more. Read article.

Read more Doing Your Homework articles by Sue Heath.

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5. Wrightslaw Training in GA, VA, TX, MD, AZ

Conference season is here! During the next few weeks, Wrightslaw programs will be held in Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and Arizona.

February 11: Atlanta, GA - Keynote, breakout sessions at the Annual Conference of the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association

February 20: Northern VA - What You Don't Know About IDEA CAN Hurt You!

March 3-4: Fort Worth, TX - Special Ed Law & Advocacy BOOT CAMP

March 15: Annapolis, MD - What You Don't Know About IDEA 2004 CAN Hurt You!

March 30 - April 2: Phoenix, AZ - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training at the Annual Conference of the Council of Parents Attorneys Advocates.

Full 2006 Schedule l Program Descriptions

We are scheduling programs for Fall 2006 and 2007. If you are interested in bringing a Wrightslaw program to your community, please read Conference Information

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6. Subscription & Contact Info