This book is a step-by-step, concise, and easy-to-read reference for school teams, providers, students, and parents to understand, design, and evaluate positive behavior support (PBS) plans for students with developmental disabilities. It provides a clear conceptual framework on PBS to think critically about how to approach a student's problem…

One approach to student behavior that may be particularly useful in exclusionary settings is school-wide positive behavior supports (PBS). Increasingly, evidence shows that PBS is an effective approach to student behavior in regular public schools (Sugai & Horner, 2005). While the data on behavioral systems in exclusionary schools are…

This article summarizes the 1992 British report, "Getting in on the Act," which examines implementation of the 1981 Education Act and recommends provisions for students with special needs. Criticisms of the 1981 Act focus on its lack of clarity, lack of accountability, and lack of incentives. A new relationship between local education…

Programs are described which use adapted puppetry technology and play with the physically handicapped, the elderly, special needs classroom students, and temporarily housed families. The programs were found to improve intellectual, social, and emotional behaviors, including self-expression, imagination, and communication skills. (Author/JDD)

This Introductory Packet provides readings and related activities on support for transitions to address barriers to student learning covering both research and best practices. It explores why transitions are dangerous opportunities that can disrupt or promote development. Key transitions and related intervention strategies are presented for…

This paper describes a supported transition plan for preschool students with special needs who are entering a kindergarten classroom. The transition plan includes the following phases: (1) make decision regarding kindergarten placement; (2) develop a preplacement plan which includes a visitation to the preschool program by kindergarten staff; and…

The Student Study Team (SST) is described as a California intervention model that encourages effective multidisciplinary team participation. The development, training, operation, and evaluation of such teams are discussed, and implementation recommendations are offered. The article includes a flow chart of the SST process, a meeting competency…

The Instructional Priority System is presented as a collaborative approach in which teachers, specialists, students, and their parents participate in the instructional decision-making process for developing, implementing, and generalizing learning strategies. The skills needed by the student are identified and prioritized, and responsibilities…

This article reviews the literature on curriculum-based assessment (CBA) with students who have special education needs. Features of CBA common to various approaches and contributing most to its instructional effectiveness include teachers' evaluative attitudes and behaviors, focus and sustained attention on student performance, and facilitation…

This handbook describes the processes and techniques used to develop, implement, and evaluate four integrated vocational and academic learning programs in Wisconsin that included students from special populations. The handbook contains seven chapters. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the project, including the request for proposal process and…

This packet of materials is intended for high school educators who are interested in implementing career education programs. Introductory information explains the need for career education, the targeted audience, access to resources, and objectives. Descriptions of the career education programs of seven schools throughout the province of Alberta…

The Instructional Support Team (IST) process is mandated in all Pennsylvania schools that include any grade from kindergarten through 6. Middle schools that house grade six or below are required to enroll in IST training and ultimately achieve IST validation. In addition to the IST requirement, all secondary schools are required to have a Student…

This article describes several model programs that use telephone technology to link parents with professionals such as speech language pathologists. Strategies for developing and implementing a telephone answering machine call-in program to increase parent involvement in educational and clinical settings are offered, as are suggestions regarding…

This booklet is designed to assist teachers, administrators, and policymakers in the implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984. Section I contains the sections of the Act that deal specifically with the handicapped and disadvantaged: Title II, Part A, Section 201--Uses of Funds, Section 203--State Allocation, and…

This document reports on a project conducted at the University of North Texas to create inservice professional development programs for postsecondary coordinators of special populations education. The project created six 2-day regional training workshops, a series of sample student learning activities, and an updated training manual, using a…