Finally, a book for parents and professionals about parent rights and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA 2004 A PARENT HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES provides an overall look at special education as related to rights and services. IDEA 2004 A PARENT HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES provides a complete introduction to special education law and discusses: Historical Perspective, Disabili… More >>
Tags: 2004, children, disabilities, education, Handbook, IDEA, Improvement, Individuals, learning, Parent, school
IDEA 2004: A Parent Handbook For School Age Children With Learning Disabilities by school psychologist and parent advocate Shelly Smith is a straightforward guide for parents and professionals to the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Improvement Act. Condensing everything parents need to know to be effective advocates in plain terms, IDEA 2004 covers practical applications of the law, disability laws in general as they pertain to schoolchildren, and the rights of both children and parents. Reducing seemingly incomprehensible bureaucracy into simple terms, and fully explicating both the letter and the spirit of the law, IDEA 2004 is an absolute “must-have” for any parent or guardian raising a child with learning Disabilities and seeking a positive, balance-of-power relationship with the public school system.
Rating: 5 / 5
Just a quick overview. The author seems VERY informed about the subject matter. Many times throughout the handbook, I thought to myself that “I wish I had had this at our last IEP meeting”. From now on, I will definitely use “my” highlighted passages for defense when the “team” tell me that I have to do things the way the school wants me to. I never knew that we had a say in our own childs education.
Needless to say, I am becomming a very informed parent, and this handbook really got me excited to learn more so I can help my child! Thank you very much to the author.
Rating: 5 / 5
As a current Director of Special Education, I find Shelly Smith’s book for parents to be the best information possible for the lay person. It explains to the parents their rights regarding their child’s education in such a manner that is easily understood but comprehensive. Any parent of a special needs child must read Shelly’s book. The complicated law that protects these students and their parents is so massive that such a common sensible approach is needed. Ms. Smith brings the language, terminology, and rights down to a level that the reader can comprehend. This book has a five star rating as far as I am concerned and should be distributed to all parents of challenged children.
Dr. Lynn Ahrens
Rating: 5 / 5
The consistency of MS Smith’s advice is wonderful. There is no need to remember situational models or hope that your particular situation is referred to in her book. If you don’t feel “the system” is working properly to serve your child, you simply state that you don’t feel they are fulfilling their legal obligation. It is a simple statement, it isn’t
confrontational and best of all, it is our natural reaction as parents of a special needs child! Brilliant!!!!
Gwendolyn Borders, Texas
Rating: 5 / 5
I am a Special Education Teacher. I know how difficult these laws are to understand. Administrators, teachers and families are still trying to determine what changes have been made what they mean and what is new. For those of us who don’t have time to read all 200 pages of the law this book makes it easy to understand. With the help of this book it will be much clearer how, when and why the IDEIA can help you and your student(s).
Rating: 5 / 5