This document provides an overview of the critical role of fiscal data in state Part C systems. This information is intended to help state Part C lead agency staff better understand strategic fiscal policy questions, the fiscal data elements needed to address those questions, and the benefits of using these data. Fiscal data provide powerful…

This paper demonstrates the importance of effective planning when using database application programs in exceptional education programs, to more efficiently track students' performance, keep vital information, and create desired reports. The described approach, called the ends-to-means model, calls for developing the database by designing the…

This article presents summaries of 22 documents on preparation for regular classroom inclusion of students with disabilities, selected from the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) and ECER (Exceptional Child Education Resources) databases. Guidelines for acquiring the documents and accessing the ERIC system through online services or…

Intended for use by parents of children and youth with handicaps, the guide offers basic information on accessing the ERIC bibliographic database and publications. Answers are provided to the following questions: what is ERIC?; where are the resources?; why use the ERIC system?; what's in the ERIC system?; and how do you get started using ERIC…

The paper reviews current rehabilitation databases and discusses ways in which they may be used to enhance the rehabilitation process. Their use decreases by 80% or more the time usually needed to manually develop rehabilitation-related data. A table presents questions that can be asked in selecting a prospective database, including whether the…

This guide to searching for special education information in the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) database covers: selecting a search system, using the "Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors," using Boolean logic, planning the search, and using the ERIC Clearinghouses as resources. (DB)

Many individuals are concerned that the "knowledge explosion" in special education is making it difficult to keep up with research in the field. However, at the same time that knowledge has been expanding, efficient ways of locating knowledge have developed and additional sources of integrative reviews of research have appeared. The paper…

This report discusses a project to develop, test, and disseminate the SNAP (Smart Needs Assessment Program) system for needs assessment and inservice training of regular educators to work with students with disabilities. The SNAP system is an expert system that defines the training needs of individual teachers and links these needs with training…

The workshop is intended for individual or group use to understand the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and the Exceptional Child Education Resources (ECER) databases as a way of finding information on special education topics. Information products available from ERIC and The Council for Exceptional Children (which maintains the…

Discusses how educators can access the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database online to review summaries of more than 900,000 documents and journal articles, research reports, curriculum and teaching guides, conference papers, and books. Key search terms are provided, along with different access points. (CR)

This guide describes ERIC as an information system sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education that gathers, selects, abstracts, and indexes documents and articles on a wide range of education topics. The guide provides information on the following: (1) how to get started using ERIC; (2) how to use a computer to access the ERIC database; (3) how…

Adaptive aids which can help individuals with disabilities to get around more easily are described, including ramps, portable ramps, lifts, doors, and doorways. The use of professional assistance in selecting adaptive aids and use of the ABLEDATA database are noted. Appended is a list of companies which manufacture adaptive equipment. (JDD)

This booklet is designed to explain how the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) and ECER (Exceptional Child Education Resources) databases can be used to find information about the education of children and youth who have disabilities or who are gifted. Chapters cover the following topics: what ERIC is, where ERIC can be found, how to…

Developed to fill a gap in preservice and inservice training, the materials focus on training special education administrators and program specialists to use computers in program management. Materials include packets to be reproduced for participants as well as outlines, transparency masters, lists of audiovisual materials, and scripts for…

This guide describes ERIC (the Educational Resources Information Center) as a system of 16 clearinghouses and 5 support units providing many types of information services related to education, and also describes ERIC as a bibliographic database where descriptions of education-related documents and articles are maintained. It explains how to get…