When considering developing educational programs for students with disabilities, one often thinks first of the annual goals and short-term objectives that are included in the individualized education program (IEP). It is important, though, to connect the short-term objectives (the "now") to long-term goals and dreams (the "future"). Making that…

Describes a program to facilitate contextual learning for school-aged students with disabilities by developing individualized, community-based leisure education programming in concert with students' families. Emphasis is on transfer of new skills to home and community and on self-determination in leisure interests and community involvement. (DB)

This article provides strategies for writing precise goals and short-term objectives or benchmarks as part of individualized education programs (IEPs). Guidelines and examples address: definitions, reasons for clarity and precision, individual parts of goals and objectives, inclusion of time factors in objectives and benchmarks, number of…

This article provides a matrix to help Individualized Education Program committees consider and document all pertinent information concerning the communication needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Eight key questions to consider are discussed. The matrix lists 10 questions with space to identify the student's skills and needs by…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

Guidelines are proposed for development of early intervention educational goals and objectives that reflect daily functioning skills. Guidelines are presented as questions to pose when developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and individualized family service plans IFSPs). They cover functionality, generality, instructional context,…

The Individualized Education Program of an 11-year-old boy with severe disabilities was written to emphasize development of social skills and friendships. Opportunities to develop friendships were created, classmates examined their feelings about the meaning of friendship, and parents' and teachers' reactions were assessed. (JDD)

This article discusses methods for more fully including parents in the development of a child's individualized education program (IEP). It summarizes what the law and research say about parental participation and decision making, identifies barriers to such participation, and offers suggestions to teachers to facilitate meaningful parental…

The Preschool Referenced Assessment process, intended to link ecological and judgment-based assessment to instructional planning for young children with disabilities in inclusive settings, is described, including instructions for use of assessment forms and development of goals and objectives for the child's Individualized Education Program. (DB)

This article links standards-based goals and objectives to district standards using three cornerstones: the development of one belief system, a common understanding of the district's standards, and the development of a working relationship with general education. A district-wide model project of accountability for students with disabilities is…

This article examines assessment practices for young children with disabilities and establishes how videotaping can effectively supplement traditional methods. It shows how teachers can use videotaping to involve parents in the process of monitoring the objectives in Individualized Education Programs and to increase parent awareness of their…