In this brief, the perspectives of special education administrators from Massachusetts and Indiana, who have been engaged in college-based transition services (CBTS), are shared. It summarizes the conversations they had during a fall 2019 Think College webinar and a follow-up discussion in summer 2020. Each administrator has had extensive…

Discusses the preservice education of art teachers. Suggests that there are three major challenges for teacher education programs. Points out the need to individualize such programs, the need to update curricula in order to answer the call for reform, and the need to ensure that teachers have a firm commitment to art. (KO)

Explains the concept and proper application of least restrictive environment in laws governing special education. Discusses conflicts that often arise between parents and school officials. Maintains that close adherence to least restrictive environment guidelines will best serve the interests of students and of the entire school community. (DM)

The 4th Circuit's decision in "Hartman v Loudoun County Board of Education," involving the placement of an 11-year-old autistic child, teaches important lessons about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: mainstreaming is a strong preference, not an unyielding requirement; and if educators make active and careful efforts to…

Proper documentation of strategies and results is crucially important for identifying problems and benchmark successes in the education of special needs students. In this article, the author shares the guidelines he provides to teachers at his school in the hopes of minimizing administrative tasks while ensuring that educators are familiar with…

This article examines requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997) regarding participation of students with disabilities in state- and district-wide assessments and access to the general curriculum. It considers implications for change in school district procedures concerning evaluation and reevaluation, Individualized…

This paper discusses the difficulties many school districts have in fully complying with the assistive technology requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), especially the broadened requirement in IDEA 97 to consider the need for assistive technology in developing each Individualized Education Program for students with…

This paper examines issues relating to suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities in Iowa and presents procedures and best practices which satisfy legal requirements and are based on judicial rulings. The following issues are considered concerning suspension: suspension of a special education student for more than 10 consecutive school…

This paper explores Canadian educational services offered to severely and profoundly handicapped children and comments on their cautious welcoming into the regular education system. School administrators must become familiar with the needs of severely handicapped students, and must become much more involved in the planning, support, and…