RTI: A Process, Not a Program Question: Is there any level of concern regarding the use of RTI in school districts for identifying students with Dyslexia? Some school districts are moving away from using any kind of standardized psycho-educational assessment. There are many significant issues that are implicit in this question. Good questions often require[…]
Reading: RTI in a Nutshell Emerson Dickman, J.D. 4/24/2006 1. Screen 2. Teach 3. Intervene 4. Probe 5. Chart 6. Adjust Screen These are brief tests that are administered to determine if a child is expected to experience difficulty responding (not keeping up) in the core curriculum as traditionally delivered in the regular general education[…]
Promote Partnerships and Improve Outcomes for Children by Avoiding Conflict G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. February 27, 2003 Conflict in the arena of special education is unique in that everyone involved professes to be an advocate promoting the best interests of the child. The Court inLascari v. Board of Educ., 116 N.J. 30, (1989) found that[…]
Parents have the Right to be informed as to the Qualifications of a Teacher Assigned to deliver Special Education Instruction to their Child The Right to Qualified Instructors: An Argument supporting a parents’ right to be informed as to the qualifications of a teacher to deliver individualized instruction G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 2001 The need[…]
Getting the Right Method! G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 1999 Since 1982 [Hendrick Hudson District Bd. of Ed. v. Rowley, 458 US 176 (1982)] courts have been under a directive from the U.S. Supreme Court to “avoid imposing their view of preferable educational methods” (p 207). However, the same case opened the door to arguing in[…]
Effective Advocacy: Perspective is the Key! G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 2000 Too often advocacy is seen as a contest — parents versus the system. The primary goal of an advocate should be to develop an atmosphere of collaboration and open communication between the family and the school district. The purpose of an advocate is to[…]
Controversial Therapies: Why Do Some Unproven Therapies Become Popular? G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 2002 To be controversial a therapy must have something about it that attracts supporters. I have tried over the years to identify those ingredients that permit some ideas to have a significant number of believers in spite of limited research-based evidence of being meaningful[…]
Aptitude – Achievement Discrepancy G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 1999 Aptitude Achievement Discrepancy A discussion of an “immoral” formula for identifying students with a learning disability. There is one issue undermining special education service delivery that is particularly insidious due to the fact that, although its impact is negative and pervasive, it hides in the shadows.[…]
Preparing For The IEP Meeting Avoiding Due Process G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. 1998 Avoiding Due Process A common sense approach to communicating successfully with school district personnel. The ability to communicate is the key to a successful relationship with your school district. The relationship between the parent and the district is often strained: The Court in Lascari v.[…]
Advocacy A Credo G. Emerson Dickman, J.D. The purpose of the advocate is to inform and educate rather than to intimidate and litigate An effective advocate must treat every educator as a lifetime learner who’s chosen profession reflects his or her love of children and teaching The primary goal of the advocate is to develop[…]