This volume is the third in a series (developed in response to a needs assessment survey of special educators in Alberta, Canada) providing practical suggestions about instructional strategies, classroom management, preparing individual program plans, and understanding special needs. This volume presents a process for development of Individualized…

This study compared three written surveys intended to help identify family strengths and needs during the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. Subjects were 48 mothers of children enrolled in early intervention programs and 25 program providers. Mothers tended to prefer written surveys to personal interviews and rated the surveys'…

The present study examined how public school administrators negotiate discipline policies that are intended to protect the common good and the educational rights of students with disabilities. We investigated the political nature of these decisions and the strategies used in reaching them through interviews with administrators in 9 public high…

Questionnaires were mailed to 80 administrative units in the western United States, of which 85% responded, to examine administrative arrangements for administering special education programs in rural areas and to determine whether a relationship existed between administrative arrangement, cooperative size, and compliance with the mandates of P.L.…

Examines the use of a specific form of short-term grouping of students based on an information-referenced criterion for selection. This technology-based system is proposed as an alternative to grouping, which in many inner-city schools becomes de facto tracking. Summarizes advantages of information- over norm-referenced testing. (AF)

The section of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142) detailing "appropriate education" as a function of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) regulates a variety of educational considerations. Arguing that the IEP is in fact "the hub of the special education wheel," the authors of this document begin…

School division compliance with Virginia state and federal regulations concerning the parent's role in the special education process was examined. Analysis of parent surveys and state department of education compliance reports found a high incidence of parent nonparticipation, inadequate communication to parents of their rights, and difficulties…

Reports on a study about mainstreaming issues in music education among 107 Arizona music educators. Finds that, in most schools, mainstreaming is the only music placement option, and regular music teachers are the sole providers of instruction for special learners. Concludes that effective mainstreaming does not exist in Arizona. (CFR)

Six school-based improvement programs distributed throughout the United States were studied in order to determine how effective these plans have been and what factors help or hinder them. The programs studied shared three central features: 1) focus on the school as a whole; 2) involvement of teachers in designing improvements; and 3) incorporation…

Reports on a study of 212 first-year members of the National Art Education Association to discover the nature and extent of preservice preparation to teach art to students with disabilities. Finds that most felt unprepared to teach art in mainstreamed, integrated classrooms. (CFR)

This report presents findings of a two-part evaluation study of the 1984-85 High School Intervention Center Program operational for 11 Detroit, Michigan, schools. Evaluation of program impact on students' attendance and scholarship and a process evaluation of program strengths and weaknesses were conducted by data comparison and by participant…

This study examined the extent to which students with disabilities or special needs participate in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), a Minnesota program which allows 11th and 12th grade students to complete high school credits at a 4-year or 2-year college or a postsecondary vocational training institution. Directors of the PSEO programs at…