This paper describes a current national study funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS). SEELS is a 6-year study (1999-2005) that will document the school experiences of a national sample of school-age students with disabilities by following students as they move from elementary…

This introductory article discusses a study that investigated how at-risk students are defined in each of the Canadian provinces and Northern Territories and similarities in the definitions in the policy-making and policy implementation arenas. Different types of students that may be at-risk are described. (Contains references.) (CR)