Summer Learning for Children with Learning Disabilities
The school bell might stop ringing, but education should not cease in the summer. Teachers and parents can start preparing now to create a summer filled with learning opportunities. This helps students use what they learned in school and remember it when school begins again.
Children with learning disabilities, in particular, profit from learning activities that are an integral part of their summer experience — whether at camp, sightseeing with their parents, serving the community, or working a job. To help teachers and families, LD OnLine prepared Summer Learning for LD Students: Open Up this Virtual Beach Bag of Ideas. This "beach bag" is filled with the tools you need to prepare your students — and their parents — for a summer of fun and academic improvement.
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Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate, and Attorney
Learn to explain the needs of your child to educational decisionmakers in a powerful way. Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate, and Attorney outlines ways you can develop the evidence needed to prove your child requires the services you are requesting.
Peter and Pamela Wright, nationally-renowned special education attorneys and authors of Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, say, "Most parents of special needs children know that they must understand the law and their rights. But few parents know that they must also understand the facts. The 'facts' of their child's case are contained in the various tests and evaluations that have been administered to the child." This article tells you how to interpret and chart your child's test scores, describe it in graphs, and use the language of statistics. Here are some key points:
- You need evidence to support your beliefs. You may experience a sense of urgency because your child is falling behind. However, staff members in special education often believe that their programs are working.
- Many parents assume that interpreting their child's test data is beyond their competence. However, the basic principles of tests and measurements are not difficult to learn.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires IEPs to include measurable annual goals and a description of how these goals can be measured.
This article is challenging to read, and the authors recommend reading it at least three times. The time you spend studying it may change your child's life forever. And when you attend the next IEP or eligibility meeting, you will be glad you did your homework. The educators in the room will listen to you and take your words seriously.
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Appreciate Your Teacher
Please consider sending an e-card to a teacher who has helped your child or other children with learning disabilities. For more ideas for teacher appreciation, visit our teacher appreciation page.
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Tell Us What You Think Is "Hot" in Education
Fill out our survey about literacy instruction. The International Reading Association (IRA) recently published results of its annual survey on the hottest topics in literacy instruction. Twenty-five leaders — including many university researchers — were surveyed. In addition to their input, we want your opinion on what is hot, what is not hot, and what should be hot. Please take a moment to complete our survey. We look forward to sharing the results with you soon.
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A Must-Have Resource from LearningStore:Study Skills: Research-Based Teaching Strategies  Designed for educators who want to help students efficiently manage materials, time and information, this teaching guide provides practical strategies and clear instructions appropriate for students in upper elementary, middle and high school. |
Featured Articles
For Teachers
- Teaching Time Management to Students with Learning Disabilities
Learn to help your students manage time in the article, Teaching Time Management to Students with Learning Disabilities. Landmark School, an internationally recognized K-12 school for students with language-based learning disabilities in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, provides practical steps you can take to help your students estimate how long it will take them to perform a particular task. This helps them be better students — and improves their ability to succeed in life.
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For Parents
- Making the Written Word Easier for Readers with Print Disabilities
Learning how to obtain e-text is crucial so that children with print disabilities can access their school materials even if they cannot yet read them. Find answers to frequently asked questions about the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC).
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For Adults Who Have Learning Disabilities
- Top Ten Things to Think About As you Prepare for Your Transition to Adulthood
The end of the school year is coming to a close. Whether you are ready to graduate from high school, living at home and looking for work, or finishing up another school year, the time to prepare for your transition to adulthood is now.
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In the News
- Dyslexic Makes Good 'bAd' Movie
- Special with a Capital 'S' Describes Retiring LD Teacher
- From The Fonz to Hank's Creator
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LD OnLine proudly introduces the new and improved LD OnLine Yellow Pages
Each month, over 500,000 parents and professionals visit LD OnLine seeking information and resources. LD OnLine Yellow Pages gathers in one place the services and products parents and professionals are searching for. It's a fast and easy way to find what you are looking for - simply search by location, specialty, or service. Browse the LD OnLine Yellow Pages for products and services geared towards your needs.
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Advertise in the LD OnLine Yellow Pages
Reach more than 200,000 parents and professionals each month. Since 1996, LD OnLine has been the number one source of trusted information for parents and professionals.
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Newsletter Editor: Dale S. Brown