This position paper of the Council of Executives of American Residential Schools for the Visually Handicapped calls for stronger emphasis on instruction in literacy skills; individualized selection of the mode of reading, writing, and computing; technical assistance; continuing education; emphasis on literacy skill teaching methodology; and…

California's approach to developing programmatic and administrative models for the implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) in providing services to young handicapped children is discussed. The models focus on implementing recognized best practices as well as changing state policy and administrative structure to enhance…

Providing children with special educational needs with individual education plans (IEPs) was advocated in the 1994 code of practice for SEN, and retained in the 2000 code. Specifically as it relates to mainstream secondary schools, this has proved highly controversial: many SENCos report that the writing and implementing of IEPs is a bureaucratic…

This document comprises an evaluation of the first-year implementation of the Junior High School Student Assistance Program (JHSSAP), a dropout prevention program of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). JHSSAP is comprised of the following components: (1) Extended Counseling (EC), providing 8 hours per week of auxiliary counseling at…

Before teachers can productively implement individualized education programs for handicapped students, substantive IEP planning should occur at state and local levels. Impediments to IEP development should be identified and relationships among federal, state, and local agencies clarified. A paradigm is offered to help the teacher systematically…

This report provides an analysis of those portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation relevant to the career preparation and employment status of individuals with cognitive impairments. It reviews government-sponsored evaluations and professional research in specific areas of labor and education and reports on a…

This report presents findings of a Minnesota study group which reviewed the costs and structures under which developmental disabilities services are provided. The group conducted a series of town meetings throughout the state and concluded with a toll-free call-in day. Six themes emerged from the meetings: (1) "We have a lot to be proud of…

Four papers address approaches to evaluate the implementation of the individualized education program (IEP) provisions of P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The papers are "Auditing the IEP System: A Self-Audit System for Use by Local Education Agencies" by Beth Stephens and Daniel Macy, which examines a 10-step…

This study synthesizes published and unpublished research on the effects of adaptive education on student outcomes. The study found adaptive education affects student outcomes positively and suggests that tailoring instruction to individual students is more effective than traditional educational methods. (MD)

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…

This monograph is intended to encourage policy formation and appropriate interventions for young children with emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD). After an introductory chapter, the second chapter analyzes policy within the areas of both behavioral disorders and early intervention, including existing labels and eligibility criteria, reluctance…

Inclusion advocates support heterogeneous programs where special education students are educated within the confines of a regular educational classroom. An array of services are provided that are coordinated across educational and community agency personnel. Districts must make sure the students are ready to be included, the staff is trained, and…

The manual describes program standards and guidelines for New York programs interested in qualifying for state reimbursement for special education costs ordered by the court in serving handicapped students birth to 5 years of age. Standards are set forth for the following areas: eligibility (including definitions of handicapped conditions);…

Discusses independent elementary schools serving primarily Black urban students. Focuses on the following issues: (1) individualized attention; (2) small class size; (3) parent participation; (4) cultural values; and (5) school finance. Suggests that many of the principles and practices applied in independent schools could improve public…

The study surveyed the 50 states and the District of Columbia to identify current state policies that regulate graduation requirements and to determine how these policies have been applied to programs for high school special education students. Survey results produced four major findings: (1) all but three states have legislation or state board of…