Notes

Outline

The Parent as Advocate       Peter W. D. Wright & Pamela Darr Wright http://www.wrightslaw.com

Overview Know Child: Organize File Understand Test Scores & the Bell Curve Learn How to Write IEPs  Prove Your Case: Use “Letters to the Stranger;” Other Documents Learn to Deal with School System; Hone Negotiation Skills

The List of Documents Use your word processor to make a chronological list of ALL documents:    Date       Description   Comments    10/6/99   Psych. Eval    Scores dropped    11/9/99   Educ. Eval     No progress    1/15/00   Eligibility       Change to ED     2/1/00   IEP

Use Evaluations to Measure Educational Progress Use the Bell Curve Learn: Standard Scores Learn: Percentile ranks Learn: Chart Test Scores

The Bell Curve    -2SD    -1SD     mean   +1SD   + 2SD      70         85         100       115      130      2%      16%       50%      84%     98%

The Bell Curve Learn about percentile ranks, standard scores, grade equivalents (GE) & AE Composite scores v. subtest scores Learn what tests measure Learn how to measure educational progress Why an apparent gain may be actual loss

Chart Test Scores Over Time Find repeated educational achievement tests, compare scores, measure change in percentile ranks Examples Woodcock Johnson Tests Kaufmann (KTEA) Wide Range Achievement Tests (WRAT) Standardized Group Batteries

Woodcock Johnson Standard Scores                 1/95      5/97        10/98        6/99 Reading      97 94      90    78 Writing      87 92      91    84 Math    115       105      97    95 Mean    100       100    100 100

Woodcock Johnson Percentile Rank Scores

Woodcock Johnson Standard Scores - Bar Graphs

Woodcock Johnson Percentile Ranks – Bar Graphs

Woodcock Johnson Reading: Percentile Ranks

Woodcock Johnson Writing: Percentile Ranks

Woodcock Johnson Math: Percentile Ranks

W-J % Rank Three dimensional bar

W-J Line % Rank Three dimensional line

IEPs with Measurable Goals & Objectives Example #1: Typing/Keyboarding By June 15, 2001 Johnny will type a passage of text with not more than five errors at a rate of thirty-five words per minute on a 5 minute timed test. Example #2: Decoding Skills By June 15, 2001 Johnny will improve letter-word identification skills from the 5th percentile level to the 25th percentile level, as measured by the WJ letter-word subtest.

Summary Learn about the facts and law Organize your child’s file and test data Use the Bell Curve to chart test scores Develop a theme that generates empathy and desire to help

The End Peter W. D. Wright, Esq. & Pamela Darr Wright, LCSW Deltaville, VA 23043 Site: http://www.wrightslaw.com Email: webmaster@wrightslaw.com