MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary-Clare Reynolds, LDA Executive Director mcreynolds@ldaamerica.org, 412.341.1515, ext. 206
Learning Disabilities Association of America Honors Houston Chronicle Reporter Brian Rosenthal with 2017 Media Award
Learning Disabilities Conference in Baltimore, Feb. 16-19
Pittsburgh, PA (February 13, 2017) – Brian Rosenthal, Austin Bureau, Houston Chronicle is being honored by the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) for his investigative work on the article series, Denied: How Texas Keeps Tens of Thousands of Children out of Special Education (Houston Chronicle, Sept. 11, 2016.)
The LDA Media Award recognizes Mr. Rosenthal’s “exceptional commitment to fair and accurate reporting on the issues that affect the lives of the learning disabilities community.” The presentation is on Sunday, February 19 during LDA’s 54th Annual International Conference at the Baltimore (MD) Marriott Waterfront.
As a result of Mr. Rosenthal’s story on special education services in Texas, many school districts are reviewing their special education operations and federal officials plan to continue their investigation. His article brought attention to the unjust practices within special education in Texas and across the nation including the interpretation of IDEA.
Statistics show that “1 in 5” children have a specific learning disability including deficits in reading, writing and/or math. To ensure students who are eligible receive the appropriate services, it is important that each child is properly evaluated. LDA has ongoing concerns about the inappropriate use of response to intervention (RTI) as a means to identify and determine eligibility for special education services. This includes school districts discouraging or refusing to act on referrals for evaluation by school personnel or families until and unless students have reached the top tier of the system.
Brian M. Rosenthal is a state bureau reporter who primarily focuses on Texas government and politics, health and human services and enterprise projects. He is most passionate about covering vulnerable people and the ways in which they are affected by their government. An Indiana native and Northwestern University alumnus, he previously worked for The Seattle Times as a government reporter. His reporting on that region’s broken mental-health system helped spur significant reforms and was cited in a landmark state Supreme Court case.
LDA’s four-day conference on learning disabilities in Baltimore, February 16-19, is a comprehensive resource for parents, educators, adults with LD, and professionals. Distinguished keynotes and over 200 sessions feature the leading experts in their fields. Attendees have access to poster sessions and table talks, numerous networking opportunities, and a sold-out exhibit hall including 60 exhibitors, bookstore, silent auction, and the Assistive Technology lab offering hands-on training.
Conference and registration information is available at https://ldaamerica.org/events/annual-conference. Questions? Contact LDA at info@ldaamerica.org or (412) 341-1515.
About the Learning Disabilities Association of America:
The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) is a non-profit organization of parents, professionals and adults with learning disabilities providing support, information, and advocacy on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities. For further information go to www.ldaamerica.org.
