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Date: October 17, 2006
Issue: 367
ISSN: 1538-3202

In this Issue


1. Effective Reading Programs & IEP Team Problems

2. IEP Tips: What to Do at an IEP Meeting

3. Coming Soon! Wrightslaw: Special Education Law

4. IEP Tips: Taping Meetings

5. Wrightslaw Programs in PA, IL; Boot Camps in FL & MD

6. Subscribe & Contact Info



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With school in full swing, readers are sending more questions than we can answer. This issue includes an answer to a burning question and tips articles that will help you during the next IEP meeting.

Subscribers on October 17, 2006: 46,045

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

Do you know others who want to learn how to advocate for a child with a disability? Please forward this issue or the subscription page so they can learn about special education law and advocacy too. Thanks!

Download this issue:
https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/06/nl.1017.htm

Issues published in 2006
: https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/06/06.htm

Newsletter Archives (1998-2006)
: https://www.wrightslaw.com/archives.htm


1. Effective Reading Programs; How to Handle IEP Team Problems

"My son has Down syndrome. I had questions about the reading program in my child's IEP. The IEP team said they would look into my questions and would send me an updated IEP. His reading program has not been changed and I never received an updated copy of the IEP. How long should I wait?"

In Effective Reading Programs and IEP Team Problems, Sue Heath answers this parent's questions about appropriate reading programs, the need for a comprehensive evaluation to determine how this child will learn to read, and strategies to deal with the IEP team.

Go to Doing Your Homework for more articles about reading, research based reading programs, advocacy strategies, and No Child Left Behind by Sue Heath.

Related Information

Preventing Reading Difficulties and Reading Failure: Early Intervention and Prevention - Sue responds to a teacher's request for information about research on teaching children; includes a comprehensive list of free publications, articles, research - and a free video.

Reading at Wrightslaw - learning to read, teaching reading and writing, frequently asked questions, caselaw, free publications and more.


2. IEP Tips: What to Do at an IEP Meeting

Do you feel overwhelmed or intimidated at IEP meetings? Are you confused about your role? When you leave an IEP meeting, is your head spinning with rules, regulations, policies, and assessment results? Help is at hand!

IEP Tips: What to Do at an IEP Meeting includes strategies you can use to be a more effective, advocate participant in the IEP process. These strategies offer common sense approaches about how to effectively advocate, while providing input and building positive relationships with school personnel.

Related Information

In SMART IEPs: A Tactics and Strategy Session with Pete and Pam Wright, we answer these questions. Learn about the new requirements for measurable goals in IDEA 2004, and read our SMART IEPs Game Plan.


Your Child's IEP & Progress in the General Curriculum - Your child's IEP should be based on information from current evaluations (present levels of educational performance) and your state's curriculum and standards.

10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 to Improve Your Child's Special Education Program by Wayne Steedman, Esq.

IEP & Inclusion Tips by Anne Treimanis and Kathleen Whitbread

In IEP and Inclusion Tips for Parents & Teachers, you will learn how to prepare for IEP meetings, create legally correct and educationally sound IEPs, ensure access to the general curriculum, track educational progress, and form effective parent-school partnerships.


3. Coming Soon! Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition will be available soon!

The book was completely re-written and revised. In addition to the full text of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and implementing regulations, the book includes chapters on four other federal education statutes - Section 504, the No Child Left Behind Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and a Casebook of Special Education decisions.

When we send the book to the printer, we will send an Alert to subscribers to our free online newsletter. The Alert will include a special prepublication offer so you can place an advance order and receive the book as soon as it is available. (To Subscribe)

We expect Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition to be available in late 2006. More info


4. IEP Tips: Taping Meetings

Many parents have questions and concerns about tape recording meetings. Why should you tape? How should you tape? As attorney Anne Treimanis says, "When you tape a meeting, you have a completely accurate record of the meeting and you will be free to listen and participate in the meeting rather than writing notes."

IEP Tips: Taping Meetings by Anne Treimanis and Kathy Whitbread includes practical and legal advice about taping, and what you can do if you encounter resistance from school personnel.

Read IEP Tips: Taping Meetings by Anne Treimanis and Kathy Whitbread.

In How and Why to Tape Record Meetings, advocate Brice Palmer offers useful advice about the nuts and bolts of taping meetings - dealing with refusals, identifying tapes, tapes as educational records, and more.

Read more practical advice in Ask the Advocate. Learn more about special education advocacy.


5. Special Ed Law & Advocacy Programs in PA & IL - Boot Camps in FL & MD

Wrightslaw offers a variety of special education law and advocacy programs taught by nationally-known experts in the field.

The Fall 2006 schedule includes these programs:

October 19
: Erie, PA - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training with Pete and Pam Wright, sponsored by Voices for Independence.  Download Flyer & Registration Form

October 28:
Champaign, IL - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training by Wayne Steedman and Pat Howey, sponsored by the C-U Autism Network.  Download Registration Form.

* Boot Camps *

November 4-5: Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Special Education Law & Advocacy Bootcamp by Wayne Steedman and Pat Howey, sponsored by the Unicorn Children's Foundation.  Download Flyer & Registration Form

November 10-11: Columbia, MD - Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp by Pete and Pam Wright, sponsored by the Howard County Autism Society.  Download Flyer & Registration Form

2006-2007 Schedule l Program Descriptions l Online Training

We are now scheduling programs for 2007 and 2008. If you are interested in bringing a Wrightslaw program to your community, please read the Conference Information.


6. Subscription & Contact Info

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Newsletter subscribers also receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books. Subscribe


Contact Info

Pete and Pam Wright
Wrightslaw & The Special Ed Advocate
P. O. Box 1008
Deltaville, VA 23043
Website: https://www.wrightslaw.com
Email: webmaster@wrightslaw.com