No Child Left Behind

****NCLB****
First and foremost, I must say that this topic is very controversial. I have tried to provide an non-bias blog by including both pros and cons of this act.

4 Pillars of NCLB

1. Stronger accountability for results
2. More freedom for states and communities
3. Proven education methods
4. More choices for parents
   

This is the basis of what the No Child Left Behind Act is about.

The U.S. Department of Education site breaks each of these aspects down, allowing individuals to better understand the meaning and effects it has on our children's education. Parents can also find out how NCLB is effecting their home state. To learn more about No Child Left Behind click on the link below.

NCLB
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It's your call!!!
Listen to what our United States politicians have to say about NCLB

Barack Obama
Various Democratic 2009 Presidential Candidates
John Edwards
George W. Bush
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This last site is very straight forward and list the pros and cons of the No Child Left Behind Act. You can also find a detailed explanation of NCLB including requirements and goals.

Pros and Cons

Due Process

<>What is special education due process hearing?<>
Basically, a due process hearing is held the same way as a trial in a courthouse. Evidence is presented to a Hearing Officer who acts as both judge and jury.

This process can be very confusing and cause families high stress situations. However, knowledge about the process and expectations can lessen the worries and provide families with ability to be more involved. The following link to FAQ's about the due process, can be a helpful tool in providing families with an explanation of what to expect. The site provides information of the process from start to finish.

• General
• Before the due process hearing
• Due process hearing
• After the due process hearing
  

Click here to enter site

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Articles, Cases, and Resources About Special Education Due Process

Before a parent requests a due process hearing, they should be familiar with the federal statute and regulations and their state special education statute and regulations.
The following site will provide articles, cases, and resources to parents who are facing a due process hearing. It provides such information as:

How can parents prevail?

If you right letters and create a paper trail and you have competent, qualified private experts who can testify about their child's needs, they will be in a good position if a due process hearing is necessary.

To learn more click here

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Procedural Safeguards: Due Process Hearing

It is very important that parents be knowledgeable of their rights according to IDEA.
Everything a parent needs to know about the process, including time lines, notices, cost etc. can be found on idea.edu.gov. This site specializes in federal statutes and regulations. The link I have provided will guide users to the page that focuses on due process hearings, but this site can be a vital tool for parents with children with disabilities in any situation.

ENTER SITE

Parent Advocacy

<><><>ALL PEOPLE HAVE WORTH AND DIGNITY<><><>

Mission: To advocate for, protect and advance the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities.

Advocacy, Inc. provides individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities the resources to fight for their rights under the law. Advocacy Inc. believes that people with disabilities have the same rights as other citizens to freedom, equality, equal protection under the law, and control over their own lives.

This site offers a parent and student manual to special education services in Texas. While this manual focuses on the state of Texas, it is a wonderful source for anyone in any state to obtain needed information on IDEA regulations. Click on links below to view this manual.

English version Spanish version

Advocacy Inc. also offers the following links to support parent and individuals with disabilities in fighting for their rights.

• Legal cases
• Transportation
• Education
  
• Health care
• Protection and Civil rights
• more...
  

Advocacy Inc website

()()()()()Special Education Yes We Can ()()()()()
From a parent who has been there

This video encourages parents of children with disabilities to get involved!!!
It gives a brief history of the parent advocacy and ways to get involved. The benefit of watching this video is that it encourages parents to get involved and gives them the motivation and courage to keep going no matter how difficult it can be. Laws have changed and will continue to change if parents keep fighting. Click on the link below to watch this informative video.

Video

IDEA 2004

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation.

IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related service to more than 60 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Needless to say, IDEA contains numerous regulations, laws, and provisions. The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs' (OSEP) IDEA website is a very reliable site for IDEA 2004 information. This site covers all major topics pertaining to IDEA 2004 regulations and changes and grows as resources become available. The information provided within this site will prove to beneficial to parents and educational professionals.
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home

There are several pieces of literature that outline IDEA 2004. Below you will find a link to one of those books. This book may help answer any question you have about the regulations, law, and provisions included in IDEA 2004.

Price: $7.50
(click on the book to learn more)

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has created a Parent Center which offers information pertaining to IDEA 2004. This site provides links to information on children's rights, parenting strategies, and a Parent Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Parent Guide is intended to help parents become an informed and effective partner with school personnel in supporting their child's special learning and behavioral needs. The IDEA 2004 Parent Guide is provided as a downloadable PDF.

Parent Guide to IDEA 2004

Inclusion/LRE requirements

Definitions:

Least Restrictive Environment: is the educational setting that provides the greatest exposure to an interaction with general education students and persons without disabilities.

Inclusion: a term that refers to the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes for all or nearly all of the day instead of in special education classes.

Many parents have questions about inclusion and the fact that the term is not included in IDEA regulations increases the vagueness of it's role in the school setting. Many parents believe that inclusion is a right... but they would be wrong. The following link, to Wrightslaw, gives parents the answers they may be seeking about inclusion, LRE, and mainstreaming. Wrightslaw includes FAQ's, Articles, Case Law, and Other resources. This site is a wonderful tool for parents to learn about rights their children have when it comes to LRE and mainstreaming, as well as, the controversial issues surrounding the laws that govern them.
Click here to learn more

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. This video does just that! It gives parent, students, and teachers the strength and motivation to keep moving forward with inclusion. It shows that inclusion is not only beneficial to children with disabilities, but teaches students without disabilities tolerance and respect for those who are not "just like us." Check it out!

Together we're better *~*All means all*~*Inclusion means US - Not just IN
This is the motto of Inclusion.com. This site is a great resource for anyone who is in need of guidance or information on inclusion. The curious can find guides to books, DVDs, press videos, & CD-roms about inclusion. The site also offers a schedule of up coming workshops for parents & students. However my favorite feature is the newletter, simply titled Inclusion News. The newsletter is distributed yearly and will only cost you shipping cost.
Inclusion.com

Assistive Technology

IDEA Sec. 300.5 "Assistive Technology Device"
Any item, equipment, or product used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities. Does not include surgically implanted medical device or replacement of such a device.

IDEA Sec. 300.6 "Assistive Technology Service"
Service that directly assist children in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology device.

Finding the appropriate assistive technology can be difficult, but finding the funding can be even more difficult. Some parents may find this process overwhelming. The following link, which is a collaboration of information and assistance on assistive technology, was prepared by Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) in cooperation with The Federation for Children with Special Needs. This site is a great tool for learning about the laws that govern assistive technology, assistive technology issues, and advice for requesting assistive technology. PLUK offers an entire section to funding for assistive technology.
Click here to visit the PLUK website

I have defined assistive technology according to IDEA, but their are many laws that govern assistive technology and it's funding. Families are often left dumbfounded when it comes to the rights they have and where to find the information that may help them better understand those rights. The following laws that focus on AT legislation will be addressed in the link provided.

• Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act
• Admendments: Assistive Technology Act of 1998
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Being informed is the first step!
Click here to learn more about the laws that govern assistive technology

A quaterly newsletter could be helpful to adults and families with children with disabilities. RehabTools.com offers just that! The newletters introduces the most recent developments in assisive technology. Parents and adults will find free software they can download, a calendar of upcoming events, expert advice, and recommendations for choosing the right equipment. The online community will allow for further information sharing and supports.

RehabTools.com -Assistive Technology Newsletter