The author addresses the legal nature of parental participation in the education of handicapped children, with particular attention to involvement in the individualized education program (IEP) process as mandated by P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). (SW)

A model for mainstreaming handicapped students into special subject programs progresses from the formative stage (including student identification and teacher consultation) to the process stage (including joint writing of the individualized education program), to the summative stage (where student progress is monitored and feedback given to…

Offers an integrative model for mainstreaming handicapped children into reading classrooms. Discusses nondiscriminatory assessment, the development of individualized education programs, and the factors to emphasize in implementing mainstreaming. (FL)

A classroom communication system is described whereby the teacher of a handicapped student can manage the classroom activities conducted by other disciplines as stipulated for the child's individualized educational program. Samples of the weekly planning sheet, individual sequence sheets, and data/progress sheets for learners are provided. (CL)

The use of contract activity packages (CAPs) in writing an individualized education program for special needs students is discussed. A CAP is defined as including simply stated objectives; use of multisensory resources; creative, sequential material; provision for student developed alternatives; at least three small group techniques; and a pretest…

This article presents a model for integrating transition planning into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) with a focus on developing quality student-centered strategic plans. Strategies for developing effective transition practices, following meaningful processes, and creating efficient and effective IEP products are described. (Contains…

The president of the Council for Exceptional Children urges special educators to respect students' varying cultural backgrounds; to differentiate between cultural differences, developmental delays, and true disabilities; and to use the individualized education program to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate programming. (DB)

Suggestions to make parents of children with disabilities more comfortable in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting include contacting parents personally before the meeting, having a school staff member greet the parents, appointing an "interpreter" to monitor educational jargon, and videotaping or audiotaping a few conferences to…

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 curriculum guide is intended for a high school senior seminar program in which students (gifted, talented, and of all abilities) progress through three main stages: (1) identifying a project; (2) identifying a mentor; and (3) completing the project. The guide includes lesson plans, suggested activities, organizational diagrams, suggested…

This booklet offers a humorous perspective on important guidelines for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities which respect the values of collaboration, student and family leadership, and full inclusion. Humorous section titles and cartoons illustrate important principles: "Developing an IEP Shouldn't Be…

A five-phase study was conducted to evaluate all major computer systems used in writing IEPs (individualized education programs) in California. A "manual" sample composed of four Special Education Local Planning Agencies (SELPAs) that did not use computers was surveyed and responses compared with SELPAs that did use computers. An analysis of…

The paper addresses problems and strategies for evaluating mainstreamed students in vocational education classes. In addition to grading concerns, the area of graduation requirements is also considered. Alternatives to traditional methods of evaluation, including competencey based evaluation and adaptation of assessment techniques are described as…

A skills center can help students who are not able to demonstrate appropriate mastery level skills in reading and mathematics. The Girard school system (Kansas) has had two skills centers operating successfully since 1975. Individualized methods combined with group interaction are used to accommodate individuality and different learning styles.…

The guidelines focus on procedures for determining eligibility for services of children with specific learning disabilities. A 13-step process is delineated from the classroom teacher's response to individual learner needs through multifactored evaluation team function to annual review and reevaluation. Throughout the process, special emphasis is…