LD News is a free e-publication of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). It is sent out monthly and addresses issues related to learning disabilities for parents, care-givers, educators, advocates and individuals with learning disabilities.

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Letter from NCLD
NCLD's Executive Director, James Wendorf, recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that make the work of NCLD possible, highlighting the recipient of this year's Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award Winner, Joyce Bannerot of Del Valle, Texas.

Research Roundup
NCLD's Director of Professional Services, Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, discusses Recognition and Response, a new approach designed for pre-school-age children, including those who struggle with learning and who might be at risk for having learning disabilities.

Policy Updates
Learn about the U.S. Department of Education’s approval of three quality growth models, find out about a new Web site that provides reviews of evaluations and educational programs, and more.

News Desk
Find out about NCLD's "30 Voices of LD" Competition, learn about new programs that can help adolescents read and write in large classrooms, discover how extended school hours could improve high school student achievement, and more.

LD Links
Find out about free online courses for parents about self advocacy, learn how to make best use of commonly used computer software, read up on the benefits of early literacy programs, and more.

RTI Update
RTI Model in Action
On October 25, 2006, Cindy H. Goldsworthy and Joe McFarland from the Derry Township School District in Hershey, PA hosted a webinar discussing how their district implemented its progress monitoring tool.  Within their district, all teachers and students kindergarten through fifth grade participate in progress monitoring, and beginning this year students in grades six through eight who are performing below benchmark will also participate in the program. The webinar focused on how this district has succeeded in training teachers, communicating with families, using data to make instructional decisions, and improving student achievement by implementing its progress monitoring model. To access a recording of the Webinar, click here.

Student Progress Monitoring
The National Center on Student Progress Monitoring has posted a new presentation titled Improving Student Outcomes through Progress Monitoring to the Library section of their Web site. The presentation provides a basic overview of student progress monitoring and how it is applied in the context of Adequate Yearly Progress, Response-to-Intervention, and Individualized Education Programs. To view this and other useful presentations, click here.