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The Special Ed Advocate
 January 18, 2007  

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At Wrightslaw, our mission is to help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the confusing, changing world of special education. In this issue, you will find links to the top 10 articles, cases, and topics in 2006. These lists are designed to help our time-crunched readers find important information quickly and easily.

In This Issue:

1. 2006 Progress Report ... and a Thank You Note
2. Top 10 Articles in 2006
3. Top 10 Topics in 2006
4. Top 10 Cases in 2006
5. ISO Smart Kids with LD for Youth Achievement Award
6. From Emotions to Advocacy Program in Charlotte, NC - Free for Parents
7. Coming Soon! Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Programs in VA, DE, CA, NC and ME
8. Subscription and Contact Info

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. Newsletter Archives (1998-2006).


1. 2006 Progress Report ... and a Thank You Note

In 2006, more than 2.3 million people visited Wrightslaw. You downloaded more than 7.6 million files (more than 26 million hits).

Summary of Site Activity

Total Visitors: 2.31 million
Total Page views: 7.56 million
Total Hits: 26.46 million

View 2006 User Summary (in pdf)

Busiest Months: March and November
Slowest Months: July and August

New Redesigned Yellow Pages for Kids Site

In September, we announced the new redesigned Yellow Pages for Kids site. What is in store for you at the new Yellow Pages for Kids site?

* Improved Navigation: Our new user-friendly navigational tabs and drop-down menus give you instant access to our comprehensive listings and features.

* Yellow Pages User Guide: We created a user guide in an easy-to-follow format which makes using the website a snap!

* Online Listing Application: Our online application makes updating or adding a your listing easier than ever.

* New Look: Our sleek, updated design is sure to make visiting the Yellow Pages for Kids a colorful, lively, learning experience

New Book - Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition

After the U. S. Department of Education published the special education regulations in August, we resumed work on Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition. The book was sent to the printer in early December. The new 2nd edition includes:

* Full text of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and IDEA 2004 regulations with analysis and commentary
* Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
* No Child Left Behind Act
* Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
* McKinney-Vento Homeless Act
* Decisions in special education cases from the U. S. Supreme Court
* References and resources

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition (ISBN: 978-1-892320-16-2, 456 pages, 8 1/2" x 11, perfect bound) is available in two formats: as a print book ($29.95) and as a print book & e-book combo ($44.95). Although the second edition is nearly 100 pages longer than the first edition, our publisher maintained the original price of $29.95 for the print version.

Between January 5 and January 9, Harbor House Law Press shipped out more than 3,000 copies of Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition. The publisher ordered a second printing but it will be 4-5 weeks before a new shipment of books arrives.

Order Online i Order by fax, phone or mail l Discounts of 20%-50% l More Wrightslaw products

As we reflect upon these figures - the 2.3 million people who downloaded 7.6 million files from Wrightslaw in 2006, your mails and letters, your enthusiastic response to our books and training programs, we want to thank you for making 2006 a wonderful year. As we work together, we are making a difference for nearly 7 million children with disabilities and their families.


2. Top 10 Articles in 2006

1. Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate and Attorney by Pete and Pam Wright (Note: This has been the top ranked article every year since 1998)

2. SMART IEPs (Chapter 12 in From Emotions to Advocacy, in pdf)

3. Who is Eligible for Protections Under Section 504 but Not Under IDEA?

4. Functional Behavioral Assessments: What? Why? How? Who? by Stephen Starin, Ph.D.

5. IDEA 2004: Specific Learning Disabilities: Discrepancy v. Response to Intervention Models

6. Roadmap to IDEA 2004: What You Need to Know About IEPs & IEP Meetings

7. Tactics & Strategy Session: How to Get Good IEP Goals and Objectives by Pete Wright

8. A Parent's Guide to No Child Left Behind by Suzanne Heath

9. Art of Writing Letters by Pamela Wright

10. 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 and NCLB to Improve Education for Children with Disabilities by Wayne Steedman

Special Education Law & Advocacy Articles l What You Need to Know About IDEA 2004


3. Top 10 Topics in 2006

1. Section 504 & Discrimination

2. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)

3. No Child Left Behind

4. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

5. Response to Intervention (RTI)

6. Behavior Issues and Discipline

7. Autism, PDD, Asperger's Syndrome

8. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

9. Advocacy

10. Research Based Instruction

List of Topics, from A-Z l Sitemap


4. Top 10 Cases in 2006

1. Board of Ed. of Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Amy Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982) - First decision in a special education case by the U. S. Supreme Court; defined "free appropriate public education."

2. Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305 (1988) - Decision by U. S. Supreme Court in discipline case on behalf of emotionally disturbed children who had academic and social problems.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/ussupct.honig.doe.htm

3. JP v. School Bd of Hanover County VA (U. S. District Court, VA 2006) - ABA therapy, reimbursement for a private special education program, why public schools need to use objective tests to measure a child's progress (or regression), and why schools must provide the services in children's IEPs.

4. Henrico County School Board v. R.T. (U. S. District Court, VA 2006) - Tuition reimbursement case for young child with autism; comparison of TEACCH and ABA; FAPE and least restrictive environment; deference to decision of hearing officer; witness credibility; impact of low expectations and "an insufficient focus on applying replicable research on proven methods of teaching and learning."

5. Schaffer v. Weast, 546 U. S. __ (2005) - Supreme Court held that the burden of proof in a due process hearing that challenges an IEP is placed upon the party seeking relief.

6. Zachary Deal v. Hamilton County TN Board of Ed (6th Cir. 2004) - Wide-ranging decision about standard of review, additional evidence, judicial notice, procedural & substantive IDEA violations, FAPE, educational benefit, predetermination of placement, failure to include regular ed teacher, reimbursement.

7. Florence Co. Sch Dist Four v. Shannon Carter, 510 U.S. 7, (1993) - If the public school does not provide a child with an appropriate education and the child receives an appropriate education in a private placement selected by the parents, the parents are entitled to be reimbursed for the child's special education.

8. Reusch v. Fountain (MD) - One of the first cases about extended school year (ESY)
https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/case_esy_reusch_fountain.htm

9. Cedar Rapids v. Garret F, 526 U.S. 66 (1999) - Favorable decision from Supreme Court on behalf of child who needed medical and nursing services to attend school.

10. Burlington Sch. Committee v. Mass. Bd. of Ed., 471 U. S. 359 (1985) - Decision from Supreme Court clarifies procedural safeguards, parental role in educational decision-making, tuition reimbursement, child's placement during disputes.

Special Education Caselaw l Special Education Law Library l Articles


5. ISO Smart Kids with LD for Youth Achievement Award

At the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Annual Benefit in May, we met Joey Kasura and his family. Joey is smart, curious, creative, and funny. Joey will make a difference in the world.

Joey received the 2006 Smart Kids with LD Youth Achievement Award "for his accomplishments in the science and practice of firefighting and for contributions to his local fire station." Read "Lighting a Fire Under His Learning Disabilities"

Do you know a Joey (or a Janie)?

If you do, here is a tip. Nominations are open for the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Youth Achievement Award. This year’s $1,000 award will be given to a student with learning disabilities or ADHD who has demonstrated initiative, talent and determination that resulted in a notable accomplishment in any field. Honorable Mentions will also be awarded.

Learn about this Award and download an application from the Smart Kids with LD website.

Deadline! Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2007.


6. From Emotions to Advocacy Program in Charlotte, NC - Free Registration for Parents

On January 26, Pat Howey will present an Emotions to Advocacy program in Charlotte, NC.

A sponsor of The Parker Autism Foundation has just offered fre registration to a limited number of parents of children with autism who register in the next few days. To find out more about this offer and to learn if free slots are still available, please call the Parker Autism Foundation at 704-819-4952.

Learn more about this program and the special offer. Wrightslaw programs often "sell out" early. Even if you miss the free registration opportunity, we encourage you to register ASAP.


7. Coming Soon! Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Programs in VA, DE, NC, CA, ME

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


The Winter schedule includes these programs:

February 10: Falls Church, VA - From Emotions to Advocacy Training at Virginia Tech NoVa Center. Speaker: Pat Howey
Registration Form: https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/reg/07.02.va.register.pdf


February 13: Wilmington, DE - Special Education Law and Advocacy Training sponsored by the Parent Information Center of Delaware. Speakers: Pete and Pam Wright

February 20: San Diego, CA - Special Education Advocacy Training sponsored by the San Diego County Chapter of the Autism Society of America. Speakers: Pete and Pam Wright

February 27: Charlotte, NC
- Special Education Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by The Arc of Mecklenburg County. Speakers: Pete and Pam Wright

March 8: Bangor ME - Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference sponsored by the Maine Parent Federation. Speaker: Pete Wright

Schedule l Program Descriptions

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



8. Subscription & Contact Info

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. The Special Ed Advocate is published weekly (usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with occasional breaks). Subscribers also receive "alerts" about events and special offers on Wrightslaw publications and products.

To subscribe, please go to https://www.wrightslaw.com/subscribe.htm

To unsubscribe, please go to http://list.feat.org/scripts/wa.exe?HOME. Scroll down the list and click the link to "Wrightslaw" at the end of the page, then click "Join or Leave Wrightslaw." This will take you to the page where you can change your subscription options. Click "Leave Wrightslaw."

Please forward this issue of The Special Ed Advocate to others who share your interest in special education law and advocacy. If you were forwarded a copy of The Special Ed Advocate and want to subscribe, you can sign up through our website at:
https://www.wrightslaw.com/subscribe.htm

Read back issues of The Special Ed Advocate at the Archives.


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

The Special Ed Advocate
Issue: 373;  ISSN: 1538-3202


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