The Code and the Challenge of Learning to Read It
A new web, DVD, and TV documentary, "The Code and the Challenge of Learning to Read It," discusses the history of the technology of written language, how the brain processes it, and the importance and challenges involved in learning it.

Interview on Early Childhood Development
In this interview from Children of the Code, Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., the Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Professor of Child Health and Development, founding director of the university-wide Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, and chair of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, discusses his work on the report "From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development."

Nominate Your Favorite Special Education Teacher
Parents, administrators and teachers involved in the field of special education are invited to nominate an outstanding certified or licensed special education teacher for the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2007.

American Star of Teaching Award
Nominate a K-12 teacher who has made a unique and positive difference in the lives of their students for the American Star of Teaching Award, presented by the U.S. Department of Education. Nominations must be submitted by April 1, 2007.

Review of Progress Monitoring Tools Available
The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs has released their 2006 Review of Progress Monitoring Tools. Rigorous scientific reviews of tools determine whether or not they meet standards including reliability, validity and sensitivity to student improvement.

Free Webcast on Reading Comprehension Now Available
Reading Rockets has launched "Make Reading Count: Effective Strategies for Teaching Comprehension," a free Web cast with Isabel Beck, professor of education and senior scientist at the University of Pittsburgh; Nanci Bell, Director and CEO of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes; and Sharon Walpole, assistant professor at the School of Education, University of Delaware.

Free Webinar on Equal Opportunities for All Students
David Rose, Ph.D., a member of the NCLD Professional Advisory Board, will present "Universal Design for Learning: How to Ensure That All Students Meet AYP," the last in a free webinar series from Don Johnston, Inc. The webinar will be held on March 13 at 10:00 a.m. Central time and March 21 at 2:00 p.m. Central time.

Free Webinar on Progress Monitoring in Reading
On March 19, 2007, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET, Dr. Michelle K. Hosp, a nationally certified school psychologist with more than 10 years of experience using Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM), will discuss how CBM can be used to help monitor student progress in the area of reading in a free Webinar hosted by the National Center on Student Progress Monitoring.

2007 Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshop Registration to Open in April
On Monday, April 9, the U.S. Department of Education will open registration for the 2007 Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshops. The workshops, held in 22 cities across the nation, are free and cover the most effective teaching strategies for all grade levels and content areas.

Assessment: On Track for Reading Success
Beginning April 4, a new Webcast on reading progress with Mary Ruth Coleman, president of the Council for Exceptional Children, and Michael McKenna from the University of Virginia will be available on the Reading Rockets Web site.

New Online Calendar Tool for Organizations
Famundo for Organizations is an easy-to-read, free Web-based calendar tool that streamlines the scheduling and communication process in order to help school leaders spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on education.

Search for Answers to Questions about Education
The U.S. Department of Education offers an online, searchable database of accurate and timely information on federal law, policy and initiatives, answering more than 100 questions related to such topics as NCLB, financial aid and special education.

Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships
The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education has published a new guide for educators, parents and community leaders full of tools and suggestions for improving student achievement.

Moving Forward: The Role of Pre-K in Education Reform
Pre-K Now has made available on their Web site "Moving Forward: The Role of Pre-K in Education Reform," a national conference call discussing how high-quality pre-k fits within and strengthens broader efforts to improve the U.S. education system.

Tool to Help Teachers Monitor Reading Fluency in Students
The Access Center has released a module for teachers designed to promote knowledge and understanding of reading fluency in order to provide effective reading interventions for students who struggle in this area.

Tax Guide for Parents
Family Resource Center on Disabilities, with the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, has published a tax guide for parents, briefing parents of disabled children on the deductions that they can claim on income taxes according to how the expenses alleviate a child's mental or physical condition.