Diplomas at Risk: A Critical Look at the Graduation Rate of Students with Learning Disabilities (2013): This comprehensive report examines the way in which students with learning disabilities, and more broadly, all disabilities, are exiting high school. Written by The Advocacy Institute for the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Get the report here. (PDF)

A Parent's Guide to Response-to-Intervention:
Written by The Advocacy Institute for the National Center for Learning Disabilities, this guide provides an overview of the RTI process, describe how it is implemented in schools and offer questions that parents can ask. (PDF only) Get it here. Also available in Spanish here.

Parent Rights in the Era of Response to Intervention (RTI):
If a school is using an RTI approach, what rights do parents have and what strategies can be used to address identification issues? Written for the National Center for Learning Disabilities, this guide supplies all the answers. Get it here.

The RTI-based SLD Identification Toolkit co-authored for the RTI Action Network. View the introductory webinar on the Toolkit.

The Parent/Family Companion Guide for Moving Your Numbers.

Understanding the Standards-based Individualized Education Program (IEP):
This guide provides an overview of a process and document that is framed by the state standards and that contains annual goals aligned with, and chosen to facilitate the student’s achievement of, state gradelevel academic standards. Written by The Advocacy Institute for the National Center for Learning Disabilities. (PDF only) Get it here.

Parent's Guide to Universal Design for Learning (UDL):
This guide provides an overview of universal design for learning, an important movement in education. Written by The Advocacy Institute for the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Get it here.

Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act:
This guide provides information on the ADA Amendments Act (effective January 1, 2009) and the significant changes the ADAAA has made to Section 504 of the Rehabilitiation Act of 1973 relating to school-age children. Co-authored by The Advocacy Institute and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. (PDF, 11 pages) Get it here.

The State of Learning Disabilities: Facts, Trends and Emerging Issues (Third Edition, 2014): This comprehensive report examines the status of individuals with learning disabilities (LD) in the United States and provides a data-based perspective of LD across the lifespan. Get it here.

SLD Identification: An Analysis of State Policies: This article about a survey and analysis of state policies for SLD identification includes an audio interview with the authors and links to state criteria. Get it here.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):

Legislative History of Special Education: This document traces the history of special education legislation, currently know as the IDEA.

Parent Guide to IDEA 2004: This guide uses accessible language to help parents understand their rights and responsibilities in the special education process. Written by The Advocacy Institute for the National Center for Learning Disabilities (PDF, 106 pgs). Get it here.

Preparing for Special Education Mediation and Resolution Sessions: A Guide for Families and Advocates: The Advocacy Institute and the Children's Law Clinic at Duke Law School have combined their talents to create this publication to help families and advocates make the most of the expanded dispute resolution options offered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). Download or read online here.

Mini-Guide on Alternative Dispute Resolution: This guide provides provide special education advocates and parents with information about the policies in place to implement Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) activities as encouraged or required under IDEA 2004. In addition, this guide outlines some of the current issues advocates and parents have identified in using ADR provisions and offers practical ideas and strategies that may assist in overcoming barriers to resolving disagreements.(PDF only, 10 pgs) Get it here.

Private Schools and IDEA: Written by The Advocacy Institute for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, this brief article describes the role of private schools serving students with disabilities under the IDEA. Get it here.

Reports for the National Council on Disability's IDEA Report Series (2018)

Broken Promises: The Underfunding of IDEA (PDF) (WORD)

Federal Monitoring and Enforcement of IDEA Compliance (PDF) (WORD)

Issue Briefs in collaboration with Stride Policy Solutions:

Issue Brief 1: IDEA Funding Series: Special Education Funding: An Overview of State and Local Maintenance of Effort (PDF, 4 pgs)

Issue Brief 2: IDEA Funding Series: Special Education Funding: LEA MOE 50 % Reduction Provision (PDF, 2 pgs)

IDEA Information Series for Parents and Advocates

A series of short, parent-friendly articles on key provisions of IDEA 2004 and specific changes that parents and advocates should know and understand. Written by The Advocacy Institute for GreatSchools.org, the IDEA 2004 Close Up series is available FREE of charge:

The Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Aligning the IEP and Academic Content Standards to Improve Academic Achievement

Transition Planning

Disciplining Students with Disabilities

Highly Qualified Teachers

Resolving Disagreements between Parents and Schools

Specific Learning Disabilities Evaluation and Eligibility

Extended School Year (ESY) Services

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Students with Disabilities: Visit our assortment of information and resources on the Every Student Succeeds Act, the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

International Dyslexia Association Perspectives on Language and Literacy (Volume 34, No. 4, Fall, 2008)
"Meaningful Accountability for Students with Dyslexia"

The issue was developed by guest theme co-editors Candace Cortiella, Director at The Advocacy Institute, and Rachel Quenemoen, Senior Research Fellow and national technical assistance team leader at the National Center on Educational Outcomes. Read the issue summary and list of featured articles here.

A Special Mother: Getting Through the Early Days of a Child's Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities or Related Disorders :: Read an excerpt from this book featuring an interview with Candace Cortiella, Director at The Advocacy Institute.

No Child Left Behind and Students with Disabilities:
NOTE: The No Child Left Behind Act was superceded by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015.

ESEA Flexibility: Issues for Students with Disabilities. The Advocacy Institute has identified 7 issues that may have a negative impact on students with disabilities in states that have received ESEA Flexibility (aka "waivers") from the U.S. Dept. of Education. Get it here.

Why Students with Disabilities Need No Child Left Behind. The Advocacy Institute perspective on how NCLB is having positive impact on the nation's 7 million students with disabilities. (PDF, 8 pgs) Get it here.

NCLB and IDEA: What Parents of Students with Disabilities Need to Know and Do (2006). This information brief, produced by the National Center on Educational Outcomes, provides parents with an understanding of important provisions of NCLB and IDEA designed to work together to improve academic performance for students with disabilities. Get it here. (PDF, 23 pgs) This publication is also available in Spanish.

Determining Appropriate Assessment Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (2005) This Parent Advocacy Brief provided an overview of appropriate accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 Plans, serves as a guide to choosing accommodations and suggests questions to ask when making appropriate accommodation decisions. Get it here. (PDF)

Rewards and Roadblocks: How Special Education Students are Faring Under No Child Left Behind (2007). This report, a product of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, provides a compelling look at how several NCLB requirements have affected this important and often controversial student group. Get it here. (PDF, 26 pgs)

State Testing Accommodations: A Look at Their Value and Validity (2007). This report looks at the variation across states in accommodations provided to students with disabilities. Get it here (PDF)

Challenging Change: How Schools and Districts are Improving the Performance of Special Education Students (2008). This report, a product of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, takes a look at how 2 schools and 3 districts are making changes to improve the academic performance of students with disabilities. Get it here. (PDF, 30 pgs)