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

The No Child Left Behind Act and IDEA 2004 require schools to use research based programs - programs that have a track record of success. In this issue, we help you find research based reading programs and explain how you can use IDEA 2004 and NCLB to get better IEPs.

Subscribers on February 14, 2006: 47,577

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Download this issue. Newsletter Archives (1998-2005)

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1. From the Editor: Web site en español!

For years, people have asked that we provide the information on our sites in Spanish.

Thanks to our resourceful webmaster, Jackie D. Igafo-Te'o, we are delighted to announce that the Wrightslaw, Fetaweb, Harbor House Law Press, and Yellow Pages for Kids sites can be translated into Spanish - for instructions, just click the Español link at the top of every page.

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2. Where Can I Find a List of Research Based Reading Programs & Assessments?

"I read last week's newsletter about Reading Recovery, a program that is not effective for young children with reading disorders. Where can I find a list of effective research-based reading interventions?"

Good question!

One purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act is "to ensure that every student can read at grade level or above . . . [by] the end of grade 3."

To accomplish this purpose, NCLB requires schools to use federal funds on research based instruction -- and to test children with screening and diagnostic reading assessments to plan and monitor their progress.

As a result, parents, teachers, and administrators are searching for reliable information about reading programs that have research that supports their effectiveness.

Read Where Can I Find Research Based Reading Programs & Assessments to learn about reading programs that have research to support their use and the important role of assessments - this article includes a list of resources.

Learn more about research based instruction.

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3. What You Don't Know About IDEA 2004 CAN Hurt You! - Manassas, VA (2/20/06)

IDEA 2004: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You by Pete Wright, Esq. will be held at George Mason University, Prince William Campus in Manassas, VA on Monday, February 20, 2006.

This program will focus on key changes in IDEA 2004. You will learn about:

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4. What ARE the Criteria for Remedial Reading Programs?

"My child has been in remedial reading this year and has fallen further behind his peers. Can the school select one reading program and use that program for all children? What are the criteria for remedial reading programs?"

In What ARE the Criteria for Remedial Reading Programs? Sue Heath answers this parent's questions. She describes three reasons for reading failure, six qualities of effective reading programs, requirements for research based reading programs - and the price children pay when we do not teach them to read. Read article

Read more articles by Sue Heath in Doing Your Homework.

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5. 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 & NCLB to Improve Your Child's IEP

In 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 & NCLB to Improve Your Child's IEP, parent attorney Wayne Steedman explains how IDEA 2004 creates a higher standard for a free, appropriate public education and how parents can use NCLB to obtain better IEPs for their children.

You will learn how to include research based methodology in IEPs and to ensure that the IEP goals are comprehensive, specific -- and measurable. Wayne advises you about pitfalls to avoid and offers advice about how you can resolve disputes without resorting to a due process hearing - and what you should do if you cannot resolve your dispute.

Read more What You Need to Know About IDEA 2004 articles.

IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw

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