The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the main federal statute governing special education and early intervention services for children with disabilities from birth through age 21.1 IDEA consists of four parts. Part A contains general provisions, including the purposes of the act and definitions. Part B contains provisions…

The international literature reflects the significance of transition services for postschool outcomes of students with disabilities. In 2008, the Hong Kong Government introduced a policy to support students with disabilities, especially those with specific learning difficulties (SLD), to transition to postschool life in inclusive settings. This…

The purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to provide information to policymakers and government personnel who support and develop workforce development programming, policies and practices for youth, including those with learning disabilities (LD); (2) to provide a national view of the literacy and employment status of youth with LD who have low…

Transition from secondary education to adulthood represents a period during which adolescents with disabilities face multiple responsibilities and changing roles that include establishing independence, attending postsecondary education or training, developing social networks, choosing a career, participating in their communities, and managing…

In winter 1985, a survey of all California community colleges was conducted to identify and describe the types of programs and services provided by the colleges to students with developmental disabilities (DD). Questionnaires mailed to all 106 community colleges yielded a 100% response rate. Study findings included the following: (1) 44% of the…

The final report describes a project addressing the lack of adequate transitional assistance for learning disabled students interested in attending a New York community college. The project attempted to: (1) plan and develop a cooperative model; and (2) implement and evaluate the model. After a search of the literature and a needs assessment the…

A high school pilot program is described in which 10 special education staff members provided services to 33 regular educators and 83 learning handicapped students in regular classrooms. Implications for defining the structure and service delivery of an effective program and the teacher competencies needed for successful implementation are…

Various federal and state laws, regulations, and policies influence whether a low-achieving reader is categorized as "disadvantaged" or "disabled," and consequently what instructional interventions are provided. Low-achieving readers are being referred to special education at high rates while the number of eligible students…

This article describes the development of a program for college students with learning disabilities at Randolph Macon College (Virginia), focusing on recognition of the need for change, the political realities of change, and the resulting continuum of services offered to these students. (DB)

The 1982 position paper of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities provides recommendations concerning preparation of professional personnel. Major recommendations include periodic evaluations of training programs and faculty, establishment of interdisciplinary training programs, structuring of practica to enable students to…

The report considers two major issues in the provision of special education services to handicapped children in Minnesota schools: eligibility for instruction and services, and effectiveness of special education programs. The first chapter provides an overview of special education programs in the state, with data on number and types of children…

The paper presents a comprehensive approach to evaluation of programs for postsecondary students with learning disabilities. The evaluation design is suitable for programs in 2-year and 4-year settings, and incorporates both process and product evaluation methods. The approach was used to evaluate learning disability support services at Housatonic…

A national survey of the methodological content of 87 large teacher-education programs in learning disabilities/mild handicaps indicated that the dominant methodologies are largely the same as those commonly included in general teacher education. Within given courses, methodologies proven both effective and ineffective are stressed. (Author/VW)

The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland) was established in October 2002 to examine all aspects of the law, policy and provisions that affect people with mental health needs or a learning disability in Northern Ireland. Its report "A Comprehensive Legislative Framework," which deals with the reform…

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) surveyed its member small institutions on the status of their programs for preparing teachers for working with handicapped students. Each chapter in this report on the survey is written by different educators from various small colleges in the United States. Chapter 1, "Coping…