N      A      E      A      A      C      L       D
FOCUS
a publication of the
National Association for the Education of African American
Children with Learning Disabilities 

A Quarterly Newsletter                                                                        June 2009 
Online Parent Advocacy Training Scheduled for August 12
African American Parent/Professional to Facilitate
Jayne Young Cropped Photo
Beginning Advocacy in the African American Community, the NAEAACLD's first online parent advocacy training, will be held on Wednesday, August 12, from 10:00 am. until 12:00 noon.  This free, online course is for individuals interested in providing information and support to families with children in their community who are struggling to learn.

The requirements for participation in the training are:  (1) a commitment to serve one's community, (2) the submission of a completed online questionnaire relating interest and experience, and (3) a willingness to become a member of the NAEAACLD's Parent Leadership Institute (see next article) for the purpose of referring families in need of help.  Training materials will be provided in advance.

The content of this culturally appropriate training is based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that entitles all eligible school-aged children and youth with disabilities to receive a "free appropriate public education."  The training will allow time for discussion about racial inequality in special education and involve a panel of experienced parent leaders.

The online facilitator will be Jayne Young, B.A., Interpersonal and Public Communications, who is an experienced corporate trainer, parent mentor, court mediator, and parent of a child with a learning disability.  For more information on the currently scheduled parent advocacy training, visit the NAEAACLD website at www.aacld.org and follow the prompts at the top of the home page.
What is the Parent Leadership Institute (PLI)?

In its effort to reach an unprecedented number of African American families who have children struggling to learn, the NAEAACLD has created a Parent Leadership Institute (PLI).  The PLI seeks proven advocacy leaders in strategic locations throughout the United States to serve their communities by sharing important information about a parent's rights and responsibilities under federal law. 

In addition, the PLI seeks to bring together passionate parent advocates who are willing to provide a united voice on public policy issues.  Members of the PLI have demonstrated their commitment to making change and bettering the lives of children who have previously been misunderstood, mislabeled, and underrepresented in the fight for educational rights.

PLI members are parents, grandparents, and other concerned individuals, including professionals in the field.  Many have children with learning disabilities but have extended their advocacy to serve others in their communities.  If you would like to become a member of the PLI, please complete the form on the Contact Us page of the NAEAACLD website at www.aacld.org.

Important Recent News Articles
84% of States Fail to Provide Students an Opportunity to Learn
Schott Foundation - May 19, 2009

With national and state policymakers focused on student achievement and school innovation, a new analysis of state-collected education data reveals that 84 percent of states fail to provide students access to a moderately proficient public education system.  Moreover, as the nation celebrates the 55th anniversary of the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision, the study shows that minority and low-income students have only half the opportunity to learn in our public schools as their White non-Latino peers.

Read more at http://schottfoundation.org/news/5-19-2009/84-percent-states-fail-provide-students-opportunity-learn.


'No Child' Law Is Not Closing a Racial Gap
The New York Times - April 28, 2009
The achievement gap between white and minority students has not narrowed in recent years, despite the focus of the No Child Left Behind law on improving the scores of blacks and Hispanics, according to results of a federal test considered to be the nation's best measure of long-term trends in math and reading proficiency.

Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/education/29scores.html.

NAEAACLD
P.O. Box 09521, Columbus, Ohio  43209
Telephone:  (614) 237-6021
Email:  info@aacld.org
Web:  www.aacld.org 

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