Parents of children with reading disabilities might be led to believe that school choice for a charter or private school is better than an actual public school. Still, there needs to be proof that those schools are better or that children will get accepted into good schools. Students may lose protection under the Individuals with Disabilities […]
Lead Poisoning: A Known Learning Loss Threat
Many parents are concerned about their child’s learning loss due to the pandemic. If children are behind, they can catch up. But there’s another culprit that could cause serious difficulties. Lead poisoning poses a threat to children through the water they drink from lead solder/pipes, dust exposure involving old paint in homes, and living near […]
Ideas to Teach Reading and Writing, and Other Stuff, for Students with or without Disabilities: HANDWRITING
It sounds like there’s a shortage of ideas to work with students with or without disabilities, especially students who don’t work well online, or need a break from it. So, I am starting this page and will add to it, if there’s interest, in days to come. I welcome teachers and parents to add whatever […]
The Reading Wars? Who’s Talking About Reading and Class Size?
…extensive research in the reading difficulties of children show that large classes are the basic cause of failure in reading as well as in other subjects. ~Professor Arthur I. Gates, nationally known authority in the field of reading instruction. Elementary School Journal; February 1937. When parents and teachers debate phonics and whole language, they might […]
Special Ed. Irony: CT Gov. Malloy and Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher
In every state we see an erasing of services for students with disabilities. Consider how Texas managed to omit an appropriate education for students with special needs. My guess is that in whatever state you live, special education is in trouble. How many children will not get the schooling they need to realize their dreams? […]
Pinpointing Reading Disabilities to Help Students Succeed
Reading disabilities exist. Research in neuroscience is showing this to be true, and public schools and special education should be on the front lines working to remediate these deficits and helping children to adapt so they can be successful in school. One serious drawback for students with disabilities, in the one-size-fits-all class, is that they […]
Suggestions for Parents Concerned About their Student’s Reading Difficulties
My post about reading picture books generated some comments on Facebook about difficulties students have tracking and mixing-up words. Having a child who struggles with reading is never easy. Sometimes you feel like they are on the verge of making a breakthrough—then they get a bad grade or test score and you are right back […]