Every parent is filled with dreams, fears, hopes, and questions when preparing a child for school--and when that child has a disability, this exciting time can seem overwhelming. This upbeat, reassuring handbook is an invaluable resource to share with parents of a school-age child with a disability. It demystifies complicated issues, encourages…

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.…

Designed for parents of students, this booklet provides information and strategies for helping students with disabilities make a smooth transition to postsecondary education and training. The first part of the booklet addresses: building blocks for transition, transition services mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,…

This handbook provides guidelines to assist North Dakota educators who are developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It is presented in four sections. The first section highlights the major changes brought about by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including…

This handbook discusses different types of disorders, mental health services, and school services. The first section highlights the importance of parental advocacy and family support networks. This is followed by a discussion of the plight of parents who have a child with an emotional or behavioral disorder and the perspective of a child with…

This manual is designed to provide the special education and transportation community with one source for both legal and practical information on the transportation of students with disabilities. It provides information on the following topics: (1) the legal context of transportation of students with disabilities; (2) transportation considerations…

As school communities become more diverse, making decisions regarding discipline will continue to be difficult. However, providing appropriate discipline for special education students is essential in order to maintain an effective learning climate. This article walks readers through a hypothetical situation in which a principal must make a…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities in Alberta (Canada) focuses on the role of the parent on the educational team. Part 1 describes the rights of parents, the responsibilities of parents, and where parents can go for information and help. Part 2 discusses schools as partners, including information for parents on how to procure…

This booklet summarizes the rights and responsibilities of Minnesota parents of children with disabilities and offers guidelines on how best to advocate for their child. Introductory material briefly describes the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center and its programs. The booklet then summarizes federal court decisions,…

This manual is a guide to recommended practices and procedures for meeting the special educational needs of young children with disabilities, especially those ages 3 through 5 in Illinois. Chapter 1 provides a brief history of national and Illinois state mandates in early childhood special education, notes the critical role of the family, and…

This manual on development of transition planning programs/services for high school youth with disabilities and their families is based on the premises that both youth and family members need to be actively involved in every step of the transition planning process, that empowered families can access necessary transition and adult services needed…

This book provides strategies for working within the educational system and going outside the system, when appropriate, to get learning assistance for a struggling student. Part 1, "Identifying the Problem," discusses communicating with the teacher and getting vital information, focusing observations and impressions, and communicating…

This booklet for parents of young children with special needs provides a variety of child-rearing suggestions as well as an updated listing of resources. After an introduction which defines special needs and summarizes basic principles, the following chapters address: (1) the family as the most important support for a child; (2) the evaluation…

One of nine competency-based training modules for personnel preparation in early childhood special education, this guide focuses on developing the individualized education program (IEP). All modules are adaptable for use with a general audience, direct service personnel, or administrators and are based on the following principles of the Ohio…

This manual incorporates the Delaware State Board of Education's rules and regulations governing the education of exceptional children and is intended to provide guidance and information to educators, administrators, parents, and the public. The section on handicapped children covers the following areas: access to special education and related…