In This Issue . . .

• French Now? or English first?
• Reading: The Real Issue
• Doing Your Homework: Reading
• Q&A with Pete Wright
• Special Offer! "All About IEPs"

Circulation: 74,510
ISSN: 1538-320

Many students have trouble learning a foreign language. But for students who have significant problems in reading (or writing, listening, and speaking), learning a foreign language is more difficult.

Without a solid base in the English language, learning a second language is a formidable challenge. If your child has dyslexia, you need to know if she needs multi-sensory reading instruction to improve her reading skills.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, Sue Whitney, Research Editor at Wrightslaw, answers a parent's question about dyslexia and learning a foreign language. Sue explores other issues that must be considered in educating a child who has a reading disability.

New! Wrightslaw: All About IEPs. Don't miss the prepublication offer for a special gift.

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French Now? or English First?

"My 9th grade daughter is dyslexic. She is struggling with French. Her teachers think she's lazy. Should she take French later and learned more English first?

A second language will not be easier to learn in the future. Without a very solid base in the English language, a second language will always be difficult.

Don't make assumptions about your child's reading ability. Find out what she really needs. Read Struggling with Dyslexia AND French 101.

Reading: The Real Issue

What is the real issue:

• Accommodation for reading?
• Remediation?
• Reading instruction to improve skills?

An appropriate reading evaluation will identify problems and include a plan to address these problems. Once you know what your child needs, you can see if a second language fits into that plan. You will be sure whether or not she needs reading instruction. Grades do not tell you that. Read more...

Doing Your Homework: Reading

In Doing Your Homework, Sue Whitney, co-author of the best-selling law book, Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind, writes about research based instruction, strategies for using federal education standards to advocate for children and to improve public schools, and creative advocacy.

Sue also writes articles about Reading.

Reading is a Major Issue in Education

So many children are not learning to read. They are not being taught properly. Their school districts are not providing the research-based reading programs they need. These kids have too many strikes against them. They are not only learning-disabled, they're teaching-disabled.

Q & A with Pete Wright o reading and effective reading programs, how to keep IEP meetings from going sour, and why parents shouldn't resist standardized testing.

Special Offer! Wrightslaw: All About IEPs

New! Wrightslaw: All About IEPs. In this comprehensive, easy-to-read book, you will find clear, concise answers to over 200 frequently asked questions about IEPs.

At the printer and scheduled to ship the second week of December. Order now and get a special gift. Offer ends 11/11/09.

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