Wrightslaw

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

Highlights: Free tutoring & tutors for kids; free special ed advocacy course; free professional development workshops; alternative routes to teaching; free shipping, price cuts, autographed books; free advice - taking care of yourself; free help & free listings on Yellow Pages for Kids; winter schedule - Wrightslaw programs in FL, NJ, NY, IN, MO, AZ. Download this newsletter.

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

One obstacle in advocating for a child with a disability is finding the time to do research. We spend hours collecting information so you can spend your time learning, not searching.

In this issue, we provide you with links to free publications, free training programs and workshops, free help & free listings in the Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities - and a little free advice.

Did you know that your child may be eligible for free tutoring and other supplemental academic enrichment services? These services are called "supplemental educational services."

This 2 page brochure explains what supplemental services are and where you can go for more information.

Tutors For Kids

Tutors for Kids is a new website designed to help parents take advantage of free tutoring & other supplemental academic enrichment services under NCLB.

Partners in Education is a 3-hour online self-study course for parents of children with disabilities. The course is designed to teach the skills you need to advocate for your child. You will learn about:

* Laws governing special education and how they protect your child's rights
* Your role in your child's educational experience
* Your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and your role in developing the IEP;
* How to advocate for your child;
* Your rights if you believe your child's educational rights have been violated.

Learn more about the Partners in Education course.

The U.S. Department of Education is offering online, on-demand professional development training for elementary and secondary school teachers.

Teacher-to-Teacher e-Learning links educators to videos of workshops. The workshops are taught by exemplary teachers and education experts who demonstrate how you can translate scientifically based research into classroom practice and how you can use data to inform your instruction.

These workshops cover various topics, including reading instruction, math, and science, and may be taken for credit.

Learn more about the Teacher-to-Teacher e-Learning program.

The "highly qualified teachers" provisions in NCLB require every teacher to have a bachelor's degree, subject-matter competency and full state certification by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

To meet the demand for highly qualified teachers, states and school districts are creating alternative paths into teaching. The goal is to attract well-educated, talented individuals - mid-career professionals & retirees — who have expertise in the content they want to teach.

To learn more about Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification, contact the US Dept of Ed publication center at 1-877-4ED-PUBS. (Ask for publication identification number: EU0115P).

You can also download Alternative Routes to Certification.

More Free Pubs

Visit the Free Pubs page to download free publications about dozens of topics: IEPs, special education, transition planning, reading, children's mental health, harassment, high-stakes testing, retention and social promotion, zero tolerance, behavior problems, and more.

Do you know someone who is passionate about special education advocacy? Do you know someone who would like a personally autographed Wrightslaw book?

Are you looking for a unique holiday gift?

Wrightslaw books make great gifts for friends, teachers, and child advocates! Your autographed book will come in a special holiday gift box.

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

Order now! This offer ends on Tuesday, December 21!

Info about special sale - Internet Orders - Fax, Phone & Mail Orders

More holiday specials.

Raising a child with special educational needs can be overwhelming. If you are not careful, special education can consume your life. Many parents drive themselves until they are exhausted and burned out.

Pace yourself. Listen to tapes about time management. Use a schedule to gain control of your life. Spend time with friends or family to recharge your batteries and regain a healthy perspective.

More tips for taking care of yourself and your family.

At the the Yellow Pages for Kids, you will find educational consultants, psychologists, diagnosticians, health care specialists, academic tutors, speech language therapists, advocates, and attorneys in your state. You will also find government programs, grassroots organizations, special education schools, and parent support groups.

Free Listings in the Yellow Pages for Kids

If you help parents and caregivers get services for children with disabilities (i.e., an evaluator, educational consultant, academic tutor, advocate, attorney, special ed school, etc.) or you facilitate a support or study group, please submit an application be listed in the Yellow Pages for Kids. Listings are free.

Send an email to app@yellowpagesforkids.com for an application.

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Programs focus on these areas: special education laws, rights & responsibilities; how to use the bell curve to measure educational progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and advocacy tactics & strategies.

Winter Schedule

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

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

Cincinnati, OH: February 23-24, 2005 SOLD OUT!

Long Island, NY: March 4-5, 2005 (Mini Boot Camp)

Fort Wayne, IN: March 25, 2005. Wayne D. Steedman, Esq., and Pat Howey will present a one-day Wrightslaw Advocacy training program. Details soon.

Kansas City, MO: March 29, 2005 (Advocacy Training)

Glendale, AZ: April 1-2, 2005 (Boot Camp)

All participants 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 now 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