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A
Review of Technology-Based Approaches for Reading Instruction (National
Center for Technology Innovation)
Describes the development of the Reading
Matrix, a searchable database that presents evidence-based technology products
that support instruction for students with reading disabilities. An
Interview with Sandee Winkleman: About a Supreme Court Decision
(Education News - Nov. 2, 2007)
A lawyer tells about a case
heard by the Supreme Court involving his son's educational special needs. Assistive
Technology Rocks!
(Cecilia Garcia blog)
An article asking the question "Why
is inclusion important both to the student with special needs and the culture
of the class? Dear
Colleague Letter: Access by Students with Disabilities to Accelerated Programs
(U.S. Dept. of Education)
A letter from the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights advising of an issue involving students with disabilities seeking
enrollment in challenging academic programs. Expectations
for Students with Cognitive Disabilities: Is the Cup Half Empty or Half Full?
Can the Cup Flow Over
The
article explains the fallacy in setting expectations based on intelligence testing
including:
- IQ test scores only account for 40% to 50% of current expected
achievement.
- 50% to 60% of student achievement is related to variables “beyond
intelligence.” IDEA
Regulations Released by US Department of Education (12/1/08)
Regarding
special education services under IDEA.
IEP
Advocate 4 You (Carol Sadler blog)
A professional parent
advocate assisting parents of disabled children in school meetings and helping
them understand their rights under IDEA, 504, SST and ADA. Key
Policy Letters Signed by the Education Secretary or Deputy Secretary
(ED.gov)
This Letter is the result of a decision (January 7, 2008)
by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in School District
of the City of Pontiac, et al. v. Secretary of the United States Department of
Education (No. 05-2708). This case is about a Michigan district and it is supposed
to provide guidance to states and school districts while this matter works its
way through legal proceedings.
Larger
Special Ed Classes Upset Parents (Detroit News)
Wayne, Oakland,
Macomb and other counties across the state have modified their special education
plans to allow larger class sizes than state law allows, drawing the ire of child
advocates. Office
of Special Education Programs letter (U.S. Department of Education)
Answers to questions re: rules to determine eligibility for special needs education
and related services. Options
a Success But Needs to Take Next Step (Oakland Post Online)
I have known of this amazing young man and his family for years. I hope that OU
will find away to accommodate him!! For a related article, see Equality
in Home Quarters. Project
Evolve: Expanding and Validating Options for Learning Through Variations in Education
(Univ. of Vermont)
This grant was awarded to the Center on Disability
and Community Inclusion at the University of Vermont by the U.S. Department of
Education Office of Special Education Program under the funding category, Model
Demonstration Projects for Children with Disabilities. Protecting
the Educational and Civil Rights of Children with Disabilities (Council
of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)
This is a great summary. Protecting
Students with Disabilities: FAQ's About Section 504 and the Education with Children
with Disabilities (LD online)
An important goal of the Office
for Civil Rights is to foster partnerships between school districts and parents
to address the needs of students with disabilities. Section
504 Overview (Council of Educators for Students with Disabilities,
Inc.)
Written by David M. Richards, Attorney at Law, to serve as an introduction
to the various duties imposed by Section 504 on public elementary and secondary
schools. This is a great summary of the laws that protect students with disabilities.
I especially like the part at the end about the obligations of the schools in
regard to field trips, etc. This is one of the most frequently asked questions
I get from parents. School
Law (Steve
Friedman)
Parents have independent rights under IDEA. School
System Feud Lands in Court (Forsyth County News - Dec. 27, 2007)
The Forsyth County school system finds itself embroiled in another lawsuit over
its special needs program, with the most recent legal challenge coming from the
department's former director. Special
Education Law & Advocacy (Myrna B. Silver)
Attorney
Myrna Silver focuses exclusively on special education law, helping special needs
children receive the focus and attention they need to thrive. Special
Education Parent Handbook (Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District)
A handbook that was developed by parents of special ed kids in Malibu/Santa Monica
for other parents. I think its written in a manner that's more accessible for
parents than many other documents, so it might be useful to parents that want
to learn more about the special ed process. Student
Mental Health and the Law
(The JED Foundation)
A comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with
leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health. This
guide provides clarification of FERPA, disability law and other legal issues colleges
face and includes "good practice" guidelines for addressing campus mental
health and working with students in distress.
Supreme
Court Splits on Private Tuition
(ABA Journal - Oct. 2007)
Upholds a ruling by the New York City
2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that allowed reimbursement even though the parents
had not received special education services in the public schools. The
Ultimate Guide to Special Needs Teaching: 100+ Resources and Links
(Teaching Tips.com)
Whether you have an entire class of students
with special needs, or you’ve welcomed a student with a disability into your
traditional classroom, this massive list of resources will help you research different
disorders and conditions, review special lesson plans, and find the support you
need to work with your students and help them succeed. What
Are Advocates and How Can They Help Me?
Question:
I’ve been told that I need an advocate at a meeting I have with my daughter’s
school. I don’t really know what advocates do or how it would help to have
an advocate at the meeting. Answer: The term “advocate” has many meanings
and individual interpretations. Advocates can fill a spectrum of needs from providing
appropriate self-advocacy information to zealously representing an individual
client’s wishes in legal and quasi-legal processes. | 
