A political writer presents the case for maintaining small schools in Minnesota and not entering into drastic consolidation of school districts as recommended by the Domian Report. Small School superintendents' replies to a survey, results of educational studies and reports, the work of small school projects, and quotations from prominent…

The University of Minnesota's Special Education Administration Training Program (SEATP) is a competency-based education program, developed from a systems orientation model, and used for continuing education of professional administrators. The report presents an overview of the SEATP program under the following topical areas: (1) background…

This final report describes Project Dakota, an early intervention demonstration project serving newborns to preschoolers with developmental delay or disability in Dakota County, Minnesota, from 1983 to 1986. The first chapter describes the project model (which focuses on increasing the effectiveness of parents in fostering the child's development)…

In this paper, the author presents a brief history of the funding for, provides demographic information on, and describes the basic goals and characteristics of the Edgewood Junior High School Model Schools Project sponsored by the NASSP. The author explains how the roles of the principal, the teacher, and the student have changed as a result of…

"Response-to-Intervention" (RTI) refers to a framework for providing support to struggling learners in the general education setting. To date, RTI models have focused primarily on reading intervention and typically utilize a three-tier approach. RTI models are designed to provide high-quality instruction using evidence-based best…

This report presents findings of a Minnesota study group which reviewed the costs and structures under which developmental disabilities services are provided. The group conducted a series of town meetings throughout the state and concluded with a toll-free call-in day. Six themes emerged from the meetings: (1) "We have a lot to be proud of…

This study determined the effectiveness of Kindergarten Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (K-PALS) for students with disabilities. The researchers randomly assigned 89 kindergartners with individualized education programs (IEPs) from 47 classrooms to control (n = 9); K-PALS Level 1 (teachers received 1-day workshop; n = 19); or K-PALS Level 2…

To help special education planning teams reach agreements, the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Special Education Mediation Service (MNSEMS) provide the option of facilitated IEP meetings. This option is available for IEP (Individualized Education Program), IIIP (Individual Interagency Intervention Plan), and IFSP (Individual…

Though most interactions between parents and school personnel about students with disabilities are positive and productive, disagreements can arise. Disputes may range in intensity from minor miscommunications to significant conflicts that trigger the use of procedural safeguards available under federal law. The Individuals with Disabilities…

The report describes policies and services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Minnesota. It emphasizes changes in the way of thinking about individuals with developmental disabilities as knowledge increases concerning what they are capable of doing and what is important in their lives and how they can be supported in communities.…

The manual is intended for training surrogate parents of handicapped children according to Minnesota and federal statutes and regulations. Section 1 provides an overview of the surrogate parent program, noting relevant legislation, functions, rights, and responsibilities. Section 2 reviews the history of special education and related state and…

This report presents results of a survey of 1,275 Individualized Education Program (IEP) managers in Minnesota concerning IEP team collaboration and communication, technology use, IEP manager tasks, and effects of IEP software, both networked and non-networked versions. Survey data were divided into five comparative groups: no use of software to…

Investigating programs and full-time personnel which provide special needs services at the postsecondary level in Minnesota Area Vocational-Technical Institutes (AVTIs), a study assessed variability in practitioner use of individual student diagnostic information and prescriptive services in individualized education program (IEP) development and…

The Focus program deals with those students who perform well below their capacity socially and/or academically. It has as its main goal to decrease the incidence of alienation among these youth, the staff, and the community. Sub-goals include the reduction of alienation and improvement of self-concept, an increased access to desirable social…

Written for parents of handicapped children in Minnesota, the booklet decribes parents' rights and responsibilities in special education. The question and answer format addresses the following topics: changing rights as a result of P.L. 94-142 (The Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; types…