LD Podcast #66 Child Find, National Reading and Math Report Card, and Should Kids Study More Science & Math?

In today’s show, I talk about the latest LD Newsm including:

*A recent court case reported by Peter Wright, Special Education lawyer and legal expert, and his great online resource, . This case, Jamie S. v. Milwaukee Public Schools (E.D. WI, Case # 01-C-928), dealt with whether or not the Miwaukee Schools were adequately finding children in need of special education help and intervention. In this class action case, many children who could have used evaluations and interventions were denied these, in favor of more expedient “punishments” such as suspending a child rather than trying to get to the bottom of any problem behaviors in school. The schools defended themselves as trying to avoid stigmatizing children with a special education label, but in fact, were not doing their duty to identify and provide services to these children in the educational setting under the requirements of the IDEA.

*The new “Nation’s Report Card” on Reading and Math have come out, showing a slight improvement of 2 points in the average 4th grade reading and math levels; a closing of the racial gap by one point. This seems like pretty meager progress, and it still holds true that only 34% of all children are testing proficient or advanced on the reading test. This means the gains are pretty much limited to moving children from the below basic to basic only reading levels.

*Lastly, I talk about a survey that shows while businesses are desperate for more highly trained students in science and math, many parents seem to think the science and math curriculum is adequate. This either means parents are not getting the message of the continued importance in this global economy of making sure our children are well educated, or we are doing a poor job of communicating the importance of a science education beyond the lab.

The LD Podcast is joining a new podcasting network= more information coming soon!

In the near future, short “the Best of the LD Podcast” shows will be available on LD Online, one of the best and most comprehensive LD resources on the world wide web. More on this as it becomes available!

We are contemplating trying a call-in show- if you would be interested in trying this format, please drop me an email at ldpodcast@gmail.com.

Bumper music courtesy of Al Renkle’s song, Lemonade, Podsafe Music Network

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Peter Wright, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and You

Show #52 Conversation with Peter Wright, Part II

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.

Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind.

In part II of our conversation, Pete and I talk about why we aren’t always using the best reading programs for kids with learning issues in public schools; why parents are so important in making sure kids get what they need, and why inclusion/segregation is more about the most appropriate learning environment for an individual rather than a system-wide one size fits all goal.

We have a song by Uncle Seth- Both Sides Now, followed at the end by a few minutes of “bonus” audio about parents and understanding the law.

I want to thank Cathlin, Tyson, and Michelle for their emails, questions and feedback, and encourage you to do the same!

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343. I’d love it if you’d consider leaving a review in iTunes for us as well.

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Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the “Best” education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the “clock” only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don’t specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a “consent”- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of “magic language” parents need to know to protect their child’s rights, and I know you’ll find Pete’s information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

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Show # 26 Lesson 8 and The New Changes in the IDEA

This week’s supplemental show is pretty short. We talk about two of the important changes highlighted by the US Department of Education in their regional meetings about the new Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The newest information on the IDEA can be found on the Deaprtment’s website by clicking here.

We play Black Coffee by Chaz, and it’s available on the Podsafe Music Network.

We finish the second half of the show with Lesson 8 in our ten part series on Maximizing Your Child’s Cognitive Abilities- Teaching children to delay gratification. While recording this show, I had this same problem with delayed gratification, as my family stood outside the studio doors urging me to finish the podcast so we could go out to dinner…. so real life enters this podcast, unscheduled but apropos.

Please email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com, or leave comments on the voice line at (206) 666-2343. I’d love to know if you like the interviews, would prefer shorted episodes- let me know how I can help make the show better for you!

I also encourage you to use the message boards or the blog and post comments- let’s form a real community!

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