This report presents the findings of a study that investigated the scope and nature of early childhood service delivery systems in three states (Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Colorado). The study followed 75 children with disabilities for 18 months and surveyed 170 service providers of infants and toddlers and 186 service providers of…

Features of programs that successfully blended the middle school (MS) model or cooperative learning (CL) model with gifted education were assessed. Site visits were made to five MS sites and five CL sites at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Studies showed that gifted students' needs can be met within these programs, with appropriate…

This study identified critical factors in two states as they begin to develop family centered policies for the Infant and Toddlers Program as required by Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focused on the Individual Family Service Plan, the identification of families' strengths and needs, and case management. Data were…

A local program survey of 95 directors of gifted education examined elements of programing related to the modification of the learning environment, including instructional time, teacher-pupil ratio, additional personnel requirements, and estimates of the excess program costs. Three common models were considered: the special class, teacher…

The Carolina Policy Studies Program (CPSP) was established in October 1987 to track the implementation of Public Law 99-457, Part H (the law is now known as IDEA--Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which aids states in providing comprehensive services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Since its establishment,…

This paper explores the barriers and possible solutions toward the implementation of the goal of a coordinated service system for young children with special needs and their families. The components of the vision of a comprehensive, interagency, multidisciplinary, coordinated service system are outlined, such as interdisciplinary cooperation, a…

In Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Federal Government agrees to provide modest financial resources to aid the states in planning and developing comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated services for young children with handicaps and their families, and presents mandates for reforms in the service delivery system. This paper identifies the…

This report discusses family policy issues raised by the implementation of Public Law 99-457, Part H, the Infants and Toddlers section of the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986. The report is the outcome of a policy options work conference in which a small group of knowledgeable parents and professionals identified key policy issues.…

Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986, requires states to develop a system for preparation of personnel to work with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and to establish personnel standards for early intervention services. A study of 10 professional associations was conducted to…