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The Best FREE Progress Monitoring Assessments in Reading for Students with Learning Disabilities

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The Best FREE Progress Monitoring Assessments in Reading for Students with Learning Disabilities A curated list of powerful, no-cost tools to help educators track and support reading growth in students with learning disabilities and challenges, including Dyslexia. When it comes to teaching reading to students with learning disabilities, targeted interventions are essential - but targeting just one area of reading isn’t enough . Research consistently shows that an intervention focused solely on a single component (like phonics or fluency) is far less effective than one that addresses all five pillars of reading. So, what does this mean for how we teach reading? It means our approach must be comprehensive . To ensure meaningful growth, interventions and progress monitoring alike must cover all five core areas of reading : Phonemic Awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension This is especially critical for students with reading disabilities. When we monitor only one or two componen...
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Create Effective IEP Goals Using DIBELS: A Step-by-Step Guide for Special Education Teachers

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Create Effective IEP Goals Using DIBELS: A Step-by-Step Guide for Special Education Teachers Learn how to craft measurable IEP goals using DIBELS data. Discover examples, tips, and resources to support your special education students in achieving reading fluency and comprehension. Writing effective IEP goals can feel daunting, but using a reliable tool like DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) can simplify the process and ensure your students’ needs are met. DIBELS provides valuable data to monitor progress and helps create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals tailored to each student. This blog will guide you through writing IEP goals using DIBELS and offer practical examples to inspire your own. Step 1: Review DIBELS Data Administer the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills-8th Edition (DIBELS). DIBELS is a standardized tool for assessing the acquisition of early literacy skills from Kindergarten through 6th Grad...
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How to Write SMART IEP Goals

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How to Write SMART IEP Goals: A Quick & Easy 8-Step Formula for Special Educators Let’s be honest—Special Education teachers love working with students. Helping them learn, grow, and reach their goals is the most rewarding part of the job. But the paperwork? Not so much. If you've ever volunteered to cover recess duty, sharpen pencils, or—let’s be real—even taken a bathroom break just to avoid writing IEP goals, you're not alone. Writing IEPs can feel overwhelming and tedious, even for seasoned educators. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right tools and structure, IEP goal writing becomes straightforward—and dare I say—manageable! That’s why I created my go-to strategy: the SMART IEP Goal Formula. It’s simple, effective, and it actually makes writing goals feel doable (yes, really). Ready to change how you feel about IEP goals? Let’s dive into this step-by-step formula that breaks everything down. STEP 1: Identify the Goal Areas Start with...
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Teaching Fluency to Students with Dyslexia

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Teaching Fluency to Students with Dyslexia: S trategies and Considerations Discover effective strategies and considerations for teaching reading fluency to students with dyslexia. Explore the impact of rapid automatized naming (RAN) on reading development and learn how to address fluency challenges through targeted instruction. Get insights into the relationship between RAN, phonological awareness, and reading skills. Enhance your teaching approach with a 6-minute fluency sequence tailored to students with dyslexia who have impaired RAN.
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Understanding Accommodations in IEPs: Tools & Free Resources for Educators

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Understanding Accommodations in IEPs: Tools & Free Resources for Educators Creating a supportive learning environment starts with understanding how to tailor instruction for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). One of the most powerful tools in an educator’s toolbox is accommodations—adjustments that help students access the general education curriculum without altering learning expectations. But how do accommodations differ from modifications? And how can you implement them effectively? What Are Accommodations in an IEP? Accommodations change how a student learns material. They might include extended time, audio versions of texts, or preferential seating. Unlike modifications, which change what a student is expected to learn, accommodations ensure students meet the same learning goals—just in a way that suits their individual needs. 👉 Learn the difference with this FREE visual poster: Accommodations vs. Modifications Poster Categories of Accommodations Accommod...
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3 Steps for Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities

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    3 Steps for Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities Have you found yourself endlessly designing reading lesson plans, analyzing student data, and feeling like there must be a better way? Trust me, I've been there. But fear not! I'm here to share my secrets for teaching reading to students with learning disabilities. Get ready to save time, implement effective strategies, and witness your students thrive as readers. In my 20s, I spent countless hours sitting on the floor of my living room, designing and redesigning lesson plans. Determined to become an expert in reading instruction, I pursued certification as a Dyslexia practitioner. Now, I'm excited to pass on my knowledge and provide you with a three-step approach grounded in the Science of Reading. Step 1: Build a Student Profile Become an expert on your students' reading skills by constructing comprehensive student profiles. Assess all five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phon...
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Welcome to Miss Rae’s Room!

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  Welcome to Miss Rae’s Room – Special Education & Reading Strategies Blog Welcome to Miss Rae’s Room , your go-to resource for practical strategies in Special Education , teaching reading , and supporting students with learning disabilities .  If you are an educator, parent, or specialist looking for effective ways to improve reading skills, write strong Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) , and build inclusive, high-impact classrooms , you’ve come to the right place. What You’ll Find Here Step-by-step guides for teaching reading using research-based methodologies. Strategies for supporting students with learning disabilities in general and special education settings Tips for writing effective, compliant, and student-centered IEPs Ideas for creating inclusive classrooms that maximize student engagement and success Resources and lesson plans tailored for educators working with struggling readers Resources Looking for ready-made teaching resourc...
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