Special Education Action is a 501(c)3 nonprofit publisher covering special education.
Its mission is to ensure parents, educators, and students have the information and tools necessary to fully understand, address, and safeguard the unique needs of all students who require special education.
Recent Articles
FCPS IEP Meeting: “Just Words” not Endorsed for Dyslexia, FCPS Dyslexia Training of Teachers Slow, Not “At the Rate that We Need It”
“How are we going to train all these teachers in Fairfax, you know, at the rate that we need it? We need to build that capacity. Some teachers are going to struggle even with Orton Gillingham, because it does require teachers to be very prescriptive and, well diagnostic first and then prescriptive in how they tailor their lessons.”
~Dottie Skrincosky, Fairfax County Dyslexia Resource, Region 5 Point of Contact, Intervention and Accommodation
This is a partial transcript of an IEP meeting that occurred toward the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Months earlier, the parent had stated that the program “Just Words” did not meet the unique needs of her son who was diagnosed with Dyslexia. This is not this parent’s first time at the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Dyslexia rodeo. She was joined by two friends who know the rodeo and Dyslexia well, too.
The honesty of Dottie Skrincosky was refreshing, but concerning just the same.
Dear VDOE: Is it Okay for Compliance Specialist to Show Bias Against Parent and Editorialize Complaint Letter of Findings?
These are the words of a Virginia Department of Education Compliance Specialist. They appear in her edits of a State Complaint Letter of Findings.
State Complaints are supposed to be unbiased and investigated in full, with an “independent determination” provided.
However, when the individuals connected to the complaint exhibit very definite opinions about the investigation, unbiased and “independent determination” might as well be thrown out the window.
VDOE Sets Dangerous Precedent; Guidance Includes Get-Out-of-Providing-“Recovery Services” Loophole
The document includes a get-out-of-providing-compensatory education/”recovery services” loophole—and exhibits a questionable interpretation of laws related to students with disabilities.
Yes, Virginia, There Is Dyslexia
Some educators and lawyers say there is no Dyslexia.
My research makes me say, ‘If you see it in your child it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there Dyslexia?
~Virginia Parent
Virginia, the educators and lawyers are wrong. They have been affected by ignorance. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.
They see a first grade boy who walks around when it is time to read and assume him to have attention struggles.
They see a ninth grade girl with good grades and assume her to be lazy.
They know not of what they speak, Virginia, for they only believe what they perceive, rather than what is real.
Due Process Hearing Officer: “Just Words” Not a Methodology that Addresses Learning Disabilities Associated with Dyslexia; FCPS Continues to Recommend “Just Words” for Students with Dyslexia
If you have a child in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia, who has Dyslexia, chances are FCPS has stated the program “Just Words” is appropriate to address your child’s unique needs related to Dyslexia.
Didn’t matter if the child was in 4th grade or 10th grade, FCPS pushed “Just Words” for children with Dyslexia.
Earlier this year, due process hearing officer Richard M. Alvey stated a final decision about “Just Words” that every parent with a child who has Dyslexia should know about—and which should have stopped FCPS’ continuing to recommend the program for children with Dyslexia.
It’s the Law: Mediation
There’s a lot to get fired up about when it comes to special education, but mediations get me hotter than a tin roof during a heat wave.
Why?
Lot’s of places to get snagged if you aren’t careful and/or don’t even know these briar patches exist.