Educational frameworks to accommodate rural America are designed around the concept of smallness and incorporate basic skill development through programed instruction, individual projects, use of volunteers, cross-age tutoring, and computer study. Other areas of focus include community involvement, practical skills, familiarization with the…

This book is intended to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities in district and state assessments as required by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. First, an introductory chapter offers reasons for including students with disabilities in district and statewide accountability systems.…

This guide to pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) first provides a review of the literature on defining characteristics of PDD/ASD, causes of PDD, and diagnosis of PDD. Review of intervention and treatment comprises the major portion of the paper. After briefly considering parent education, this section…

This document presents findings from a 5-year study of the effect of the standards-based reform movement on students with disabilities. The study used pragmatic evaluation strategies that integrated both quantitative and qualitative collection methods of data and site visits to 10 high schools in six districts (including urban, rural, and suburban…

Reports on a study about mainstreaming issues in music education among 107 Arizona music educators. Finds that, in most schools, mainstreaming is the only music placement option, and regular music teachers are the sole providers of instruction for special learners. Concludes that effective mainstreaming does not exist in Arizona. (CFR)

This article describes strategies for integrating alternate assessments into the context of ongoing instruction and for enabling students with disabilities to take a more active role in the construction and self-evaluation of their own assessments. Fourth-grade, seventh-grade, and middle school examples of integrating assessment and instruction…

This book contains 17 papers devoted to the counseling of college students. The following papers are included: "Introduction" (Darrell Anthony Luzzo); "Established Career Theories" (Paul J. Hartung, Spencer G. Niles); "Emerging Career Theories" (Spencer G. Niles, Paul J. Hartung); "Emotional-Social Issues in the…

Inclusive education reflects the changing culture of contemporary schools with emphasis on active learning, authentic assessment practices, applied curriculum, multi-level instructional approaches, and increased attention to diverse student needs and individualization. This guide is intended to help teachers implement inclusive educational…

This guide provides precise, detailed descriptions of empirically validated best practices to promote learning in infants and young children with disabilities. It is designed to be a practical and comprehensive, easy-to-read introductory methods text that addresses the fundamental issues associated with implementing the legislative mandates of the…

Two assertions regarding the Regular Education Initiative (REI) are presented: (1) general educators are not willing to serve students with handicaps, and (2) general educators are not competent to serve students with handicaps. Illinois general education teachers (N=314) were surveyed to examine their attitudes and perceived ability to work with…

Goals and objectives appear on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Individualized Vocational Education Plans (IVEPs). An IEP, required by the Education of All Handicapped Children Act, is a document that outlines the delivery of educational services, instruction, and responsibilities for each student identified as disabled. An IVEP, required…

The manual is designed to assist school districts in South Carolina in measuring and maintaining compliance with Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Using a checklist format, it is divided into sections which address the following topics: (1) local education agency (LEA) policy requirements; (2) state-operated…

The Rural Aide Model is a proven, functional model in which an aide or para-professional is trained in the components of the Teaching Research Data Based Classroom Model and provides individual instruction, under the supervision of a certified teacher, to one or two children with handicapping conditions. Usually the instruction occurs within the…

The report is designed as a guideline for preservice and inservice teacher education programs and the New York local education agencies providing preschool services to handicapped children. A set of competencies was reviewed, rated and discussed by professionals in the field at two workshops and in consultation with preschool program…

This practicum was designed to enhance the school and home learning environments of 20 neurologically and perceptually impaired students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Participating students received daily regular class and resource room instruction. Needs assessment measures revealed that little learning characteristic data were available…