Recently enacted by the federal government, No Child Left
Behind (NCLB) legislation requires some schools to provide free tutoring to
low-income students. Schools who fail to make government-mandated progress
three years in a row have to pay for private tutoring for students who qualify.
Parents have to request this tutoring, so ask the school guidance counselor if
it's an option.
The tutoring required by NCLB is some of the best. In order
to be designated as an NCLB tutor, organizations have to show that their
tutoring is research-based with a proven track record. The only drawback is
that parents may have to travel; the program is new enough that certified
tutors are not always nearby.
Special Education
In recent times, special education has gone from being a
closeted environment for only the most severely disabled children to being a
sophisticated group of programs that meets the needs of a wide variety of kids.
Some of the programs include:
Self-contained
LD classes--Children with moderate to severe learning disabilities can
benefit from smaller classes taught by special education teachers trained
in adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of their students.
Partial
mainstreaming--Some children have learning disabilities that only affect
them in one or two subjects. For these children, it makes sense to take
most classes with the general school population, and to attend special
education classes for their trouble areas.
Full
mainstreaming with classroom modifications--Children with mild learning
disabilities or other health problems, such as attention deficit disorder
or disgraphia, can be successful in regular education classrooms. Teachers
can make modifications based on Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
Other
special education programs--Law requires that schools provide appropriate
educational services for all children with disabilities, including
emotional problems, retardation, and hearing or visual impairments.
The first step in placing your child into any special
education program is to meet with the teacher or school guidance counselor and
explain that you'd like your child to be considered for special education
services. If school personnel agree that your child may be eligible, they will
set up a series of tests to determine which program will be the best fit.
You'll need to meet with teachers yearly to evaluate the placement.