You have been appointed to a  committee to revise and update the state's definition of learning disabilities and criteria for eligibility.  You have been a given a copy of the current state definition and eligibility criteria.  Your mission is to review the current definition and decide if revisions are necessary.  Your group will read information on learning disabilities posted by organizations and other states.  You will also need to read any current reports on reading instruction, phonological awareness, and dyslexia.

Each member of the group will take a particular role.  As a group you will visit web sites and share your perspective based on your role.  Before you start, write a short paragraph regarding your role considering any particular biases that might exist.
 
 

Special Education Teacher	Parent of a child with LD
State Legislator	Middle School Principal
High School Biology Teacher	Adult with a Learning Disability
Advocate from Pro-Parents	Community member, non-educator

Background & Definitions:

University of Virginia:  Learning Disabilities
http://curry.edschool.Virginia.EDU/go/cise/ose/information/uvald/lddef.html

International Dyslexia Society: Definition of Dyslexia
http://www.interdys.org/about_dy.stm#what_is_

LD OnLine:  ABCs of Learning Disabilities
http://www.ldonline.org/abcs_info/articles-info.html

National Center for Learning Disabilities
http://www.ncld.org/ld/info_ld.html

National Joint Council on Learning Disabilities:
http://www.ldonline.org/njcld/operationalizing.html

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/patients/disorder/learning/learning.htm

Chadd: What is meant by "Learning Disabilities?"
http://www.chadd.org/legislative/doe_ld.htm

Review the 18th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of IDEA
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/OSEP96AnlRpt/