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.

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

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, former 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.