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The Special Ed Advocate Newsletter
January 21, 2002

Home                 Issue - 149

In this Issue

Mistakes Parents Make

Mistakes Schools Make

Parent Advocacy Page

New Advocacy Articles on FetaWeb

IDEA 2002 Update

Pete & Pam Hit the Road

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Our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the confusing world of special education. This issue of The Special Ed Advocate focuses on parent advocacy.

Highlights: New articles about mistakes people make - parents and school systems; new advocacy articles on Fetaweb site; parent advocacy page on Wrightslaw site; update on IDEA 2002; Pete & Pam hit the road.

Subscribers on January 21, 2002: 35,837

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Are you feeling helpless and frustrated? Combat these negative feelings by helping others. How? Download, print and distribute the Wrightslaw flyer. Where? At schools, churches, day care centers, your pediatrician's and psychologist's offices!

Still frustrated? Forward this newsletter or the subscription page to your friends. Together we can make a difference!


Mistakes People Make - Parents

Because the stakes are high, it is hard for parents of children with special educational needs to advocate calmly and objectively for the educational and related services their children need. Don't shoot yourself in the foot! Read Mistakes People Make - Parents by parent attorney Bob Crabtree.


Mistakes People Make - School Districts

Why are parents angry? When school district staff take actions that undermine parents' trust, they create a climate that is costly in dollars, time, peace of mind, and the quality and success of services given to the child. Want to learn more? Read Mistakes School Districts Make by attorney Bob Crabtree.


Parent Advocacy Page

For most parents, managing a child's special education program is daunting. Good special education services are individualized, intensive and expensive. Schools often balk at providing intensive services. What can you do?

Learn how to use tactics and strategies to anticipate problems, manage conflict, and avoid crises. Visit the Parent Advocacy page on Wrightslaw for dozens of articles, cases, resources, and free pubs -

Advocating for Your Child - Getting Started. Good special education services are intensive and expensive. Resources are limited. If you have a child with special needs, you may wind up battling the school district for the services your child needs. To prevail, you need information, skills, and tools.

Asking the Right Questions. How does the school perceive you? Good article about how to ask questions and get better services.

Understanding the Playing Field. Indiana advocate Pat Howey talks about trust, expectations, power struggles between parents and schools and how to avoid them, the parental role, and the need to understand different perspectives.

Topics From A-Z Page


New Advocacy Articles on FetaWeb Site

We continue to add new articles, checklists, sample letters, charts, and resources to FetaWeb.com, the companion website to our new book, From Emotions to Advocacy.  

If you are a newcomer to special ed, learn the basics about advocacy, advocates, and the need to plan in Getting Started.

To learn about obstacles, conflict, rules of the game, and crises, go to Advocacy 101.


Learn how to organize your child's file, measure progress, and write SMART IEPs in the Parent as Expert.


IDEA 2002 Update

On January 19, President Bush proposed to increase spending on IDEA by $1 billion. Bush said, "We want these new dollars to carry to special education the same spirit of reform and accountability we have brought to other education programs . . . We must have high expectations for children who are more difficult to teach or who have fallen behind." Read article.

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is scheduled to be reauthorized in 2002. If you are the parent of a child with a disability, you represent your child's interests. You need to stay informed about changes and proposed changes to the law that may affect your child. If you are a special ed service provider, the new law will affect you and your work.

Visit the IDEA 2002 Page for news, progress reports, and other information about the reauthorization process.


Pete & Pam Hit the Road in February & March

Are you interested in learning more about special education law and advocacy? We hope to see you at one of these conferences.

February 2, 2002. Lincoln, NE. "SMART IEPs and More" sponsored by NE Branch of International Dyslexia Association. Download flyer about conference. For details, email Wid Dockhorn or call 402-477-2717.

Feb 20, 2002. Cleveland, OH. Sponsors: Cuyahoga County Bar Association & Special Education Legal Services. Contact Bar Association at 216-621-5112 or Special Education Legal Services at 216-289-IDEA. Download flyer.

February 23, 2002: Chicago, IL. Sponsor: Special Connections. This conference will be held at Niles North High School, 9800 N. Lawler Avenue, Skokie IL. For info, email Contact@special-connections.org or call 312-914-0591.

March 2, 2002. Columbus, OH. Children's Hospital Education Center. For info, call 614-722-4949.

March 8-9, 2001. Wrightslaw Boot Camp, Racine WI. Pending.

To learn if we are scheduled to come to your area, check our Schedule. If you are interested in having the Wrights speak at a conference or event, please send a blank email to conferences@wrightslaw.com


Subscription & Contact Info

The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, tactics and strategy, and Internet resources. Subscribers receive announcements and "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books. 

To subscribe. Read back issues of Special Ed Advocate.

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Wrightslaw & The Special Ed Advocate
ISSN:Pending from LOC
Pete and Pam Wright
P. O. Box 1008
Deltaville, VA 23043
Website: https://www.wrightslaw.com
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