The shortage of special education teachers is due in part to high attrition, especially among new entrants. Improving teacher retention and quality requires a holistic view of new teachers' needs, an understanding of the contexts in which they work, as well as the types of support that are needed. A leader's model highlights major considerations…

Since the passing of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, public and private schools have had to adapt the ways in which they provide education and services to their students and communities. It is essential for school public relations professionals to be…

Successful transition planning is a lifelong process in which the student, family members, friends, and professionals come together to develop and act upon a plan that will lead to a successful adult life. For this reason, transition planning has become a part of several federal laws. The most encompassing of these laws, the Individuals with…

Special education teachers and individualized education program (IEP) team members throughout the country are struggling to make appropriate decisions regarding assistive technology (AT) for students with high incidence disabilities. Although numerous authors and organizations have developed tools to assist IEP teams when considering AT, the task…

This federally funded project analyzed data from a computerized individualized education plan (IEP) system, to examine factors relating to excellence in special education, with the goal of improving student assessment, evaluation, and outcomes in special education. This final report focuses on three research questions. The first question is…

A project developed and implemented a plan to retain those adult basic education students who are likely to be successful if they stay enrolled in the program but who are likely to drop out if program staff do not intervene. The plan involved use of an assessment instrument to identify these at-risk students, development of an individualized…

A major problem in mainstreaming and implementation of Public Law 94-142 has been in establishing evaluation criteria to determine appropriate learning environment placement. Providing appropriate education in the least restrictive environment is primarily the classroom teacher's responsibility, requiring decision-making based on these questions:…

Based on a state board of education program to individualize graduation requirements, called the Program Completion Alternative, this guide discusses how and why New Jersey school districts ought to develop a variety of ways for students to meet state and local requirements; outlines the alternative education programs made possible by the new…

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act requires an individualized education plan for all students identified as handicapped. While computer technology has application for greater individualization, no single method makes a perfect "fit" for all students. Social survival skills are vital elements of mainstreaming as well as academics.…

The Deans' Grant Project at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale was planned to prepare regular classroom teachers to work in the mainstreamed environment. Materials and strategies for introducing knowledge and skills into the core sequence of teacher education courses were developed. This volume contains materials and information for two of…

Some innovative methods of serving the rural handicapped population are described: volunteers; telecommunications for home instruction; SPECIALNET electronic mail; and resources for parents. Three cases involving Utah's Cooperative Extension Project for the Handicapped summarize services for handicapped and Indian students. (GDC)

This monograph, one of a series on youth with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, focuses on the educational services provided to youth with behavioral and cognitive disabilities placed in the juvenile justice system. It reports on a review of correctional system monitoring reports, materials from enforcement actions taken against…

To serve exceptional students effectively, all professionals involved must share responsibilities as members of a team. Other issues facing special education professionals include feelings of territoriality, opposition to mainstreaming, and strategies for change. (CJ)

Various instructional models for use in classrooms with both mildly handicapped and nonhandicapped students are described: (1) developmental model; (2) inquiry and inductive reasoning models; (3) behavioral model; (4) perceptual motor theory; (5) diagnostic-prescriptive models; and (6) individual education plan. (CJ)

This article describes the activities of a national group of assistive technology professionals known as the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) Consortium. The work of the Consortium is discussed and the current set of indicators is included. Processes used in the development of the indicators are described. (Contains…