"BEST BLOGS." We're pleased to be included in the Doctors Eide's picks for "Top 10 Dyslexia Blogs" at www.blogs.com. Go there to see the rest of the list. Also at blogs.com right now, a list of "10 Best Brain Blogs." Find it. By the way, if you haven't visited the Eides' "Dyslexic Advantage" blog lately, it's been much expanded since it opened a short while ago; go there.
A MOM RECOUNTS: TWO 2e DAUGHTERS. In the online Daily Kos (the source of the name is a long story, Google it), a mother blogs about her two 2e daughters and their experiences as they grew up in different school districts in Texas. Some familiar situations for 2e parents, but also some surprises. Read it.
ON THE CASE. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on Monday, June 22nd, involving tuition reimbursement for a child who a district never found eligible for special ed services and never provided any; the parents unilaterally withdrew their child, placed the child in a private school, and requested reimbursement from the public school district. Shortly after the decision, Pete and Pam Wright of Wrightslaw issued a review of the decision along with supporting documents. Got issues with whether your school district is providing a FAPE for your twice-exceptional child? Go to Wrightslaw. [UPDATE 1: The New York Times and Education Week also reported on the decision.] [UPDATE 2: CEC, the Council for Exceptional Children, later in the week issued a statement expressing concern with the Supreme Court's decision. From the statement: "Unilateral placement lawsuits are expensive and divert much needed resources from classrooms to private schools. Moreover, this ruling may encourage parents to bypass the IEP process entirely." Read it.]
ADVOCATING FOR PRIVATE PLACEMENT. Coincident with the Supreme Court decision, this week's issue of Special Ed Advocate from Wrightslaw carries a story of a mother's experience in documenting her case, using advocacy skills, and winning a private placement for her autistic son. Also in the newsletter -- how to create a paper trail. Find Special Ed Advocate.
FAPE-RELATED LEGALITIES IN MILWAUKEE. The Milwaukee Public School System has been ordered to search for students from 2000 to 2005 who should have received special ed services but didn't, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The object: providing compensatory services to the students if necessary. Find the article.
ATTENTION RESEARCH UPDATE for June has been posted by David Rabiner on his website. In this issue, Rabiner reports on a study indicating that fluid IQ -- our ability to adapt our thinking to new situations -- is improved by working memory training. Find the review.
ADVICE FOR THE GIFTED. In her most recent posting on "Unwrapping the Gifted," gifted educator Tamara Fisher offers high-ability kids some of the same advice she gives her own students -- "Ask for help," for example, "Love hard work," and more. Find the blog.
SILLY BUT CERTAINLY QUALIFYING AS DISPLAYS OF GIFTEDNESS... as well as displays of several varieties of "intelligence." The manufacturer of Duck brand duct tape sponsored a contest called "Stuck at Prom" for 2009 high school prom attendees who wear "complete attire or accessories made from duct tape." Judging is on the basis of workmanship, originality, color, accessories, and, to stimulate the economy, "quantity of duct tape used." The prizes: scholarships. The company has posted pictures of the finalists and urges site visitors to vote for their favorites. If nothing else, these kids are creative (not to mention industrious; according to the pictures, one couple spent 700 hours on the project, using 40+ rolls of tape). Enjoy the finalists.
MORE NEWS AND RESOURCES as we find them.
Latest Posts