Re-authorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act

America's schools are responsible for meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) must provide a wide range of resources and support to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.  On May 10, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the LEARN Act that will offer grants to support instruction, intervention and professional development for teachers and other support personnel such as reading coaches. Read More.

Learning Disabilities: Implications for Policy Regarding Research and Practice

The latest position statement issued by the NJCLD validates the concept of Learning Disabilities and addresses areas of agreement, misconceptions, and unresolved issues. Although Nancy Hennessey, Nancy Cushen-White and Emerson Dickman are all the IDA representatives on NJCLD, it was Emerson Dickman and Nancy Cushen-White who worked specifically on the writing team for this statement, along with representatives from other member organizations.  Read More.

Joint Technical Report-Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision

The March 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics Joint Technical Report-Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision reviews the history, definition and brain functioning of dyslexia and the research based treatments shown to be most effective. The authors also describe the visual system including eye functions, visual processing and binocular vision. This excellent report reinforces the existing evidence that supports a language based, intensive and individualized instruction clearly delineated in the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.

The Sword of Darrow

The Sword of Darrow is a middle grade fantasy novel that was co-authored by Hal Malchow and his son, Alex. They began writing the novel in 2002. At the time, Alex was eight-years-old and struggled with serious learning differences. He could not read at all. The Sword of Darrow tells us that anyone can do great things if he or she has the courage to believe. The fact that an eight-year-old boy with learning differences helped to write a great novel proves the message of this book and can help our children reach for bigger dreams. Read More.