Advocacy
Students who have difficulty with reading or school need caring adults to represent them. Being an advocate for a student often means learning new terms, knowing your rights, and insisting that your student gets the help he or she needs in order to have the best opportunity to succeed. See the articles below to get started, and visit our sister website LDOnLine.org.
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Fostering Academic Development and Learning: Implications and Recommendations for Middle School Counselors
This article explores middle school counselors' vital role in collaborating with other educators to promote the academic development of early adolescents. Research pertinent to contemporary middle school counseling is summarized, especially as it may relate to program activities and interventions. Implications and recommendations for best practice are included.
Having Your Child Tested for Learning Disabilities Outside of School
Children who struggle with reading often need extra help. This help usually comes from the school, but some parents choose to look outside of the school for professionals who can assess, diagnose, tutor, or provide other education services. The following article provides information on how to find the right person for your child.
How Parents Can Be Advocates for Their Children
As your child's best advocate, you are in a unique position to identify and implement positive changes. This article gives advice on how to be effective. You should know the rules, keep records, gather information, and communicate effectively.
How to Know a Good Adolescent Literacy Program When You See One: Quality Criteria to Consider
Literacy programs seem to have sprung up everywhere, but how can you tell the good ones from the bad ones? This guide identifies the key elements to consider in evaluating adolescent literacy programs.
My Son's Disability, and My Own Inability to See It
This is a cautionary tale, not just for people who have no real idea of what a learning disability is and probably suspect the whole thing is an overindulgent scam, but also for any parent of a child struggling mightily through school.
Solution Shop: A Solution-focused Counseling and Study Skills Program for Middle School
"Solution Shop" is a counseling and study skills program designed to address the academic needs of struggling middle school students. In this program, the school counselor serves the critical role of developing and providing appropriate interventions, which range from individual and group counseling, study skills instruction, parent consultation, behavioral contracts, math and reading tutoring, and teacher meetings.
Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate, and Attorney
Learn to develop the evidence that you need to support your belief that your child is not receiving the right help in school. You need to know the facts about your child as described in tests and evaluations. Peter and Pamela Wright, from Wrightslaw, tell you how to interpret and chart your child's test scores, describe your child's progress in graphs, and successfully communicate with the educators who are making decisions about your child.
Understanding the Special Education Process
This checklist prepared by the PACER Center will help parents prepare for and get he most out of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings with the school staff.
