LD News is a free e-publication of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). It is sent out monthly and addresses issues related to learning disabilities for parents, care-givers, educators, advocates and individuals with learning disabilities.

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A Word from NCLD
NCLD's Executive Director, James Wendorf, reflects on how the spirit of giving has helped NCLD sustain its groundbreaking programs and public policy initiatives, while staying true to its mission for the past thirty years.  

What's New from NCLD

• RTI Update: RTI Resource Retrospective 2007
  In keeping with traditional year in review lists, NCLD has culled a list of the year’s Response to Intervention resources, as a way of acknowledging the robust activity and momentum of the RTI movement nationwide, as well as to mark where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and to offer us perspective as we head into the new year.
• 2008 Anne Ford Scholarship Award Deadline December 31, 2007
  This is the last month to apply for the 2008 Anne Ford Scholarship, a $10,000 prize awarded to a senior in high school with a learning disability who will be attending a four-year college or university. NCLD will accept applications for the Anne Ford Scholarship Award through December 31, 2007.
• Calling All Creative People with Learning Disabilities!
  In honor of our 31st Anniversary, NCLD is looking for self-portraits that capture what life is like for individuals with learning disabilities. The Portraits of LD Competition, open to children, teens, and adults, is intended to celebrate the unique vision of children and adults affected by LD.  Selected submissions will be featured on our Web site and at our Annual Benefit Dinner in New York City this April, and our grand prize winner will have the chance to attend the Dinner, honoring Ted Turner. The deadline is February 8, 2008.

Research Roundup
How Does It Feel? The Social/Emotional Side of LD
NCLD's Director of Professional Services, Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz, talks about learning disabilities through the lens of social and emotional development, and suggests some ways to help students build the skills they need to succeed. 

This Month on Capitol Hill
NCLD’s monthly roundup of articles and happenings on Capitol Hill.  Features include:

• Collaborative Partnerships Between State Education Agencies and Parent Training and Information Centers
• Making the Cut: How States Set Passing Scores on Standardized Tests
• How U.S. Student Achievement Compares to Foreign Countries
• And more! 

LD Champions
Having a learning disability does not limit a person's ability to be expressive or creative.  Each month, LD News spotlights the work of a person with LD and features their art, essays, or other expressions of what life is like for individuals with LD.

This month, read about 2007 Anne Ford Scholarship Award Honorable Mention, Nicholas Wiggins.  Diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disability and slow processing speed, Nicholas graduated high school with a 3.5 GPA. As an active a member of the National Honor Society and the baseball, ice hockey, and soccer teams, he proved that he was capable of more than just academic achievement.  

News Desk Headlines

• NCLD Mourns the Loss of Sally Smith
• Bad Behavior Does Not Doom Pupils, Studies Say
• Literacy Skill Assessment Tool Released
• And More!

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