The Foreign Service Journal, June 2005

88 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U N E 2 0 0 5 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT F R O M T H E J U N E 2 0 0 1 S C H O O L S S U P P L E M E N T Melanie Kerber, “In Search of That Special School” A n estimated 5 percent of students attending public school have been diagnosed with a specific learn- ing disability. Improved assessment tools have helped with the process of identifying significantly more students with weaknesses not severe enough to qualify for academic support under the current federal guidelines. Frequently, parents of these students are frustrated by the lack of placement options, limiting them to selecting an academic program with few accommodations or a special class full of stu- dents with behavioral difficulties and low standards. Most Foreign Service families I speak with have made good use of the Family Liaison Office at State, which offers information, support, networking and referrals to a variety of agencies including schools, hospitals, outpatient services and testing facilities. Other families use area educational consultants. Washington-area resources include: School Counseling Group (202) 333-3530 www.schoolcounseling.com E-mail: guidance@schoolcounseling.com Georgia K. Irvin & Associates (301) 951-0131 www.gkirvin.com E-mail: georgia@gkirvin.com Petersen Academic Group (703) 391-1280 www.petersenag.com E-mail: PetersonAG@aol.com Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER) (301) 816-0432 www.wiser-dc.com E-mail: wiser@comcast.net