The article outlines guidelines for parents to understand their disabled children's individualized education programs. Implications and cautions needed for terminology, test scores, subtest interpretations, and classroom behaviors are examined. (CL)

A five-step method is advanced for matching teaching strategies with learning styles in implementing individualized educational programs with learning disabled students. Steps involve evaluating current and needed skills and assessing how the child has learned what he/she already knows. (CL)

The authors discuss the issue of increased record-keeping responsibilities which are the direct result of the individualized education process (IEP) as mandated by P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), and they describe one method of alleviating the burden of this paperwork through the use of computers. (SW)

The individualized reading approach, which features independent activities and individual conferences with children, is described in terms of specific areas of need when used with disabled students including systematic progress checks and Individualized Education Program accountability. Advantages and disadvantages of the approach are noted. (CL)

Individualized Education Program meetings can improve the parent-professional partnership by careful consideration of such factors as meeting location, comfortable waiting areas, group process clarification, opportunities for parent input, telephone follow-up, and development of support groups. (CL)

A rating scale that allows teachers to evaluate specific areas related to management of the learning disabled student's individualized education program (IEP) is presented. Ten factors are assessed including systematic instruction of short-term objectives, preparation of individualized lesson plans, and provision of immediate feedback. (CL)

The article offers activities and strategies that can be used prior to, during, and after the individualized education program conference to improve communication between the special educator and the parents of handicapped children. (CL)

The article examines the parent-teacher partnership, stressing the importance of both parent and teacher input. Five suggestions for involving parents of handicapped students in the Individualized Education Program meeting are offered and include asking parents before the meeting to think of short- and long-term goals for the child. (DB)