This report describes the approach to teaching German used at Rose Hill Junior High School in Redmond, Washington. The program provides for individualized instruction, and no major emphasis is put on any basic textbook. The program's development is summarized, followed by detailed discussion of the following: (1) the first phase of implementation,…

Chicago's mastery learning program takes into account the complexities of reading and the realities of urban classrooms. Its designers say that if a program does not lead to success, it is not a mastery learning program. (Author/JM)

The United Cerebral Palsy Open Education Project was developed to meet the individual educational goals of multiply handicapped children (ages six months to 13 years). (PHR)

A British school for students with disabilities planned and implemented its curriculum differentiation process by entering the core curriculum into a computer and coding each learning objective, thereby allowing teachers to draw out an individual program for each pupil, varied in length and time scale according to individual needs, and to evaluate…

California's approach to developing programmatic and administrative models for the implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) in providing services to young handicapped children is discussed. The models focus on implementing recognized best practices as well as changing state policy and administrative structure to enhance…

Administering and supervising special education programs and personnel may be daunting tasks for school leaders. Students and families who warrant the access to special education services present unique and complex needs that make administrative decisions anything but universal and simplistic, especially in regards to foster care populations. The…

Finding a job, learning to live independently, and obtaining further education are important goals for all young adults as they leave high school. But achieving these goals is often extremely difficult for students who are deaf-blind. Limited or absent hearing and vision, difficulties with communication, and the frequent presence of additional…

This article provides a practitioner-friendly synthesis of existing literature on family involvement in the management of dysphagia for school-age. Research reviewed includes family perspectives on programs, therapists, and characteristics that comprise effective family involvement in school-based dysphagia management programs. Also included are…

This article discusses the development and use of an on-line portfolio process. It presents a background rationale for the need and effectiveness of a communication tool that supports the use of the portfolio process throughout the education of a child with identified disabilities. The process for developing the individualized Web page is…

How many times do teachers wander into their principal's office for advice, support, guidance, or recommendations, only to find that those books on the shelf are outdated or obsolete? How many times have principals attended individualized education program (IEP) meetings and wished they understood all the new provisions of federal laws? And when…

A systematic analysis of the references to "scientifically based research" (SBR) and closely related terms, such as "peer-reviewed research" (PRR), in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legislation, regulations, commentary, and case law reveal that SBR and its primary variants apply largely to state support…

Since the mid-1970s, with the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("Sec. 504"), special education became highly legalized. Although it is universally agreed that the best way to avoid and resolve disputes is through informal communication and cooperation between…

The largest issue for schools is not extending the school day or year--as useful as those policies might be--but of meeting time requirements within the constraints of the budgets and personnel given them. Policy makers rarely understand how their policies impact practice. Author Marilyn Crawford suggests a policy-talks-to-practice strategy that…

This booklet, which is designed for Colorado families with children who have physical or mental disabilities or are at risk for such disabilities, outlines six support mechanisms for these families. The mechanisms include: (1) the early identification process, which is used to locate, evaluate, and identify eligible young children; (2) case…

The use of computer assisted programs in career exploration and occupational information is well documented. Various phases of the vocational counseling process, i.e., diagnostic evaluation, program planning, career exploration, case management, and program evaluation, offer similarly promising opportunities for computerization. Using the…