LD News
Each week, LD OnLine gathers interesting news headlines about learning disabilities and ADHD issues. Please note that LD OnLine does not necessarily endorse these views or any others on these outside websites.
To receive these headlines in an e-mail, sign up for our free LD Newsline service. These headlines are available as an RSS feed by clicking on the RSS icon below.
Note: These links may expire after a week or so. Some web sites require you to register first before seeing an article.
Go to page: |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
Sort by: | Date | Title |
VA Expands Use of 'Portfolio' to Measure Learning of Challenged Students
Washington Post
The District of Columbia and many states, including Maryland and Virginia, review portfolios of student work for assessment of students with serious cognitive disabilities. But Virginia has gone much further, expanding their use for students with learning disabilities or beginning English skills. Statewide, the number of math and reading portfolios submitted for such students nearly doubled in a year, from 15,400 in 2006-07 to more than 30,000 in 2007-08, and state officials predict another jump this school year.
Anthony Mullen: 2009 National Teacher of the Year
Education Week
At the end of April, the White House announced that Anthony Mullen, a special education teacher in Greenwich, Conn., had been selected as the 59th National Teacher of the Year. A plain-spoken, unvarnished man of 50, Mullen worked as a New York City police officer for 21 years before leaving the department in 2000 to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher of students with special needs.
Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.
From Homeless Shelter to Redskins Camp
The Examiner (DC)
The little child sat in the homeless shelter, trying to figure a way out of this life. At that time, his answer was to pray. So he did it all the time. Little Antonio Dixon was hit by a grand slam of obstacles: he stuttered; had a learning disability; had a father in prison and was in and out of shelters. That beat him up on occasion. It didn't beat him down. Dixon is now an undrafted rookie free agent practicing with the Washington Redskins, trying to make the roster at a stacked position (defensive tackle).
For Giraffe, Boy Stuck His Neck Out
The State (SC)
Eleven-year-old Harrison Pineda doesn't like to read, but he loves giraffes. Because of his severe dyslexia, Harrison also doesn't enjoy writing, but he recently wrote a 12-chapter story about Lewis, the newborn giraffe at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC.
The Berkshire Eagle (MA)
Since age 3, Pittsfield High School sophomore Katie Jodoin has been classified as a special-needs student. A generation ago, Jodoin, who has a genetic learning disorder, might have been educated in a classroom only with other children identified as needing extra help, students with afflictions ranging from vision or hearing impairments to autism. But thanks to her school's policy of inclusion she takes both regular and special-education classes and participates in Pittsfield High's culinary arts program.
Canada: Learning, not Labels, for Special-Needs Students
Edmonton Journal (Canada)
Alberta's schools do too much to separate students with special needs, says a provincial committee that is calling on the government to create an "inclusive" education system. It's a shift that could result in major changes in K-12 classrooms across the province, if Premier Ed Stelmach's government buys into the philosophy. A key component of the proposal is to end a system of coding students, based on their disabilities, to access funding to help them.
ADDitude Magazine (NY)
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) clearly establish the classroom accommodations and interventions ADHD students should receive to help them succeed in school. Follow this six-step plan to write an IEP that will help your child excel academically.
Miami Foundation's Grant Will Help Ill Kids Learn
Miami Herald
Daniella Ghunaim's vision is limited to light perception because of an inoperable tumor on her optic nerve. The 10-year-old will be getting new voice-to-text and text-to-voice electronic equipment to help her in classes at Aventura Waterways K-8 school. The equipment comes from a program at the University of Miami Medical School that helps kids with learning deficits caused by cancer, sickle cell, HIV and other diseases.
Canada: Action Urged for 'Kids in the Middle'
Calgary Herald (Canada)
Jacob Duran is part of a rapidly-growing trend, experts say, as one of many kids that aren't disabled enough to receive funding support and special classrooms settings, particularly as they grow older. But at the same time, because of mild or moderate disabilities, they are unable to find success in a regular classroom setting.
ADHD: the Tale of One Boy and a Dog
The Times (UK)
Liam Creed is not the most voluble of 17-year-olds. No small talk, speaks to a visitor when spoken to, and in that sense he is entirely normal. As a child Liam was naughty and difficult. He was 8 when a psychiatrist said he had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I am talking to Liam because his name is on the cover of a book that charts the story of a 14-year-old boy who has ADHD and has reached the last-chance saloon at school, when he is invited to spend one day a week working for a charity called Canine Partners, which trains dogs to help disabled people.
S.C. High Court Orders Gov. Sanford to Request Stimulus Money
Education Week
South Carolina's Supreme Court ordered Gov. Mark Sanford on Thursday to request $700 million in federal stimulus money aimed primarily at struggling schools, ending months of wrangling with legislators who accused him of playing politics with people's lives. The nation's most vocal anti-bailout governor had refused to take the money designated for the state over the next two years, facing down protesters and legislators who passed a budget requiring him to.
Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.
How to Plan the Perfect Summer
ADDitude Magazine
It's that time of year again — time to decide on a summer camp for your child with ADHD. Should he go to mainstream camp, where he will be challenged to keep up with non-ADD boys and girls? Does he need a camp that focuses on learning problems? What about a sports camp? A social-skills camp? "Figure out which aspect of ADHD is holding back your child," says Alan Rosenblatt, M.D., a specialist in neuro-developmental pediatrics. "Then choose a camp that addresses it."
Kids Can Adapt To Learning Problems
PennLive.com (PA)
When Ali Rubin was in the first grade, her mother noticed she was having trouble reading. "She seemed to struggle and yet was so very bright," said Jenny Rubin of Harrisburg. "On one of her first spelling tests, all the words were correctly spelled but were mirrored letters." Immediately, Jenny and her husband, Steve, sought advice from other parents and had their daughter tested for learning disabilities. Through a combination of programs and hard work, Ali is now in public school, on class level in the eighth grade and recently received an outstanding report card.
New York Daily News
Listen up: belting out tunes in the shower may not only be music to your ears, but may also treat a variety of disorders such as ADHD, autism, Parkinson's disease, aphasia, and dementia. In fact, singing has both physical and neurological benefits, according to a CNN article in which Dr. Wendy Magee, International Fellow in Music Therapy at the Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation in London, described music as a "mega-vitamin for the brain" that can improve a host of conditions.
Jigsaw Group Puts Pieces Together for Kids
Dublin People (Ireland)
A Dublin mother is appealing to other parents who have children with learning disabilities to join her unique parent and toddler group. Jacinta Fortune of the Navan Road founded the Jigsaw Dublin 7/11 club two years ago. The kids' group caters for children with special needs including those with ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and Asperger's Syndrome, pre- or post-diagnosis.
LAUSD: Schools Out for the Summer
EGP News (CA)
With few exceptions, summer school throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will be cancelled this year due to the state's budget deficit and declining revenues, it was announced May 28. LAUSD estimates that close to 225,000 students at the elementary and middle school level will be impacted. Schools offering special education classes will be exempted.
Audit Reveals Progress, Needs For Special Education
Alexandria Times (VA)
When a group of independent observers reviewed the Alexandria City Public Schools' special education system this past spring, they saw shades of 1995. Born out of last year's news that special education within ACPS was out of compliance, the study — conducted by a team from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents — cited several areas in which the schools could improve and recognized some programs that are already having a positive effect.
ADHD Behind the Wheel: Teaching Attention Deficit Teens to Drive
ADDitude Magazine
ADHD teens and adults are more likely than others to be careless drivers, experts believe. In fact, studies have found that teens and adults with attention deficit disorder are nearly twice as likely as the general population to have had their licenses suspended. "The problem is that the skills affected by ADHD are the ones you most need for driving," says psychologist Nadine Lambert, Ph.D. of the University of California at Berkeley.
Taking Learning to a New Level
The Freeport News (The Bahamas)
HizUnHur Cenre, a multi-purpose facility that caters to the educational and computer needs of students from Pre-K through post high school in The Bahamas, opened its doors back in February. Owner Janure Culmer, who has a Masters in varying Exceptionalities and specialty in Special Education, said HizUnHur Centre provides for everyone's education needs.
California Lawmakers Hear Pleas Not to Further Slash Education
Los Angeles Times
As the state weighs cutting about $8.1 billion from public schools, colleges, and universities, scores of educators, parents, students and others told lawmakers Monday that such reductions would jeopardize student success and safety in the short term and California's prosperity in the long term.
Sponsored Links
About these ads
Consumer Tips
