Self-Determination is a central concept in special education practice and policy. Research indicates that students who possess specific self-determination skills have better outcomes and enhanced quality of life. Self-determination is a broad term and can be looked at in a variety of ways with differing values of importance. The concept of…

The commitment of the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, in the U.S. Department of Justice, to the enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is described. Recent federal initiatives under this act to advance the rights of disabled people in terms of employment, the rights of handicapped infants, and the enforcement of…

Benefits of early intervention and the state of the art for services to special-needs infants and young children are described. An expanded federal role is recommended to encourage state programs including a phased-in mandate for service. Specific provisions of a federal mandate are discussed, including extension of P.L. 94-142 to birth.…

Federal statistical programs are important for monitoring both the need for the impact of public programs, including those for handicapped children. The federal statistical system has suffered from overall budgetary cutbacks, and from several decisions to eliminate statistical programs. (Author/CL)

In reaction to the Administration's request to consolidate federal educational programs for the handicapped, Congress has reaffirmed the need to retain the categorical nature of federal support for special education programs. (Author/SB)

Outlines the provisions of The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 (PL99-457), which funds educational and family services programs for three- to five-year-old children with disabilities or substantial developmental delays. Suggests ways that child care advocates can help implement this law. (NH)

The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the U.S. Department of Education, Madeleine Will, discusses problems in educating children with learning difficulties, notes reasons for needed changes, and comments upon the importance of early identification, curriculum based assessment, and parent…

The author reviews the history of federal input in special education and cites the Reagan administration's attempts to decrease funding for special education services. Senator J. Randolph's beliefs about the need for a strong federal role is noted. (CL)

Excerpts from a speech by Jean Tufts, Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, address trends in the administration's approach to special education, including the formation of the Foundation for Educational Assistance, and changes in regulations and funding for P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.…

The paper reviews the Reagan administration's efforts to convert human services financing to a block grant approach and describes the response of the United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA). The Budget Reconciliation Act and its impact on funding for such services as developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, and Title XX Social…

The paper identifies and discusses key factors associated with government funding for disabled individuals. An introductory section traces the growth of public expenditures in recent years. Five key factors affecting government funding are examined (sample subtopics in parentheses): state government tax and spending limits (Proposition 13 and the…

Madeleine Will, assistant secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, talks about the direction she plans to take toward improved understanding of disabilities and better services for handicapped students. (SK)

The U.S. attorney general describes his personal experiences with raising a son with disabilities, as well as the history behind passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Provisions of the ADA and accompanying regulations are described, as are the Justice Department's efforts to support ADA regulatory enforcement. (PB)

This document describes the concepts and policies guiding the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in programming for services in the school to work transition. Underlying assumptions address the complexity of post-school services, the focus on all students with disabilities, and the goal of employment as an important…

The U.S. Secretary of Education discusses obstacles to optimal education for disabled students and notes his department's efforts to forge a more coordinated approach to special education. He cites the Reagan administration's emphasis on programs to facilitate school-to-work transition and stresses the importance of parent involvement in special…