This final report describes a 16-state project designed to enhance the coping effectiveness of young children with special needs and to support their families through training and technical assistance. The project had validated models, products, and training procedures to expand the adaptive behavior and resilience of children with limited coping…

A project was implemented at Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) in Florence, South Carolina to develop a retention plan for high-risk and probationary students. The project involved the following components: a literature review on retention strategies, visits to state-of-the-art model two-year college retention programs, studies of…

Examines recent legal and programmatic changes in the education of the handicapped in Massachusetts. Highlights State standards in the areas of program delivery, identification and placement, and the use of individual educational plans. Raises issues of validation and possible inequity. (FMW)

In this article, the authors offer insight into the challenges of helping children with disabilities succeed in music through a collaborative effort of music educators and special educators. Making the curriculum flexible and accommodating a variety of learning styles produces better results and eliminates the need to customize adaptations for…

This report presents the state of Michigan's special education state plan for fiscal years 1995-1997. It includes policies and procedures for complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations. Chapters address: (1) the right to education; (2) full educational opportunities, goals, and time lines; (3) child…

This resource is Book 9 in the Programming for Students with Special Needs series. The information in each book in the series is interrelated and can be used to provide instruction to all students. Chapters one and two cover the prevalence, causes, diagnoses, and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders. Chapters three and four cover…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of the Wisconsin FACETS program, a program that provides parent information and training services for underserved parents and caretakers of infants, toddlers, children, and young adults with disabilities who live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The goals of the program are provided, along with a…

Cultural factors that influence 14- to 17-year-old boys in southwest Ohio to become involved in the juvenile correctional system include the following: (1) lack of a structured family environment; (2) lack of empathy; (3) self-centeredness; and (4) a misplaced sense of masculinity. Treatment of the whole person in correctional residential…

This guide to Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for students with special needs in New Zealand begins with an overview section which discusses what an IEP is, policy and administrative requirements, and steps in the IEP process. Module 1 presents basic information about the IEP. Module 2 describes school organization to facilitate IEPs and…

This booklet introduces Project Prepare, a competency-based model for inservice or preservice personnel preparation in early childhood special education. Each of the nine Project Prepare modules focuses upon a cluster of competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes/values) needed by personnel working with young children who have disabilities.…

This report summarizes activities of a three-year project whose major goals were as follows: (1) Developing an individualized modular program for inservice professional preparation of physical educators and other professionals in the motor performance assessment of handicapped students whose primary language is English, Spanish, or Vietnamese; (2)…

A listing of resources is presented for parents of handicapped children. Resources are categorized according to the following types: programs, organizations, products, and additional resources; federally funded programs; national parent organizations; local parent training; and handbooks, book lists, and media. Entries are organized according to…

The article describes a pilot program to encourage independent communication in seven nonverbal children (ages 6-8) with orthopedic and/or neurological involvement or cerebral palsy. Transdisciplinary team members included the classroom teacher, speech clinician, instructional aide, computer resource person, occupational therapist, physical…

In this seven-section document about special education curriculum and training for regular educators, pertinent factors involved in the placement and treatment of exceptional students in regular classrooms are presented. Teachers' responsibilities in a mainstreamed classroom are clarified, and guidelines are offered for successfully meeting them.…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) House Passes Budget Resolution: Prospects of a Compromise with the Senate Appear Dim; (2) Older Students' Science…