This article discusses the increased pressure that states are under to include test scores of students with disabilities obtained under nonapproved accommodation conditions in their accountability systems. It recommends Individualized Education Program teams carefully consider the use of nonapproved accommodations and consider the purpose and use…

This collection of materials provides a rationale for including all students with disabilities in statewide assessments and offers guidance for Vermont educators implementing the Vermont Assessment Program. Three reasons for inclusion are presented and supported with statistics, excerpts from the law, and research findings. The reasons for…

Since the passage of legislation requiring Illinois colleges to develop plans for increasing the participation and advancement of underrepresented groups, the state's community colleges have used both special population grant funds and local college funds to address the needs of these groups. This report summarizes statewide initiatives and…

This study was commissioned by the Virginia State Legislature to provide baseline data on the post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities in Virginia. The study was conducted by an interdisciplinary team including individuals representing five state agencies, local education agencies, parents, and researchers. The study involved an analysis…

This paper examines the possibility that children eligible for services as infants and toddlers under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are not eligible at age 3 under Part B (preschool special education). The analysis compared Part H and Part B eligibility policies as well as the eligibility policies of the 50…

This paper discusses how states and jurisdictions define "developmental delay" and "at risk" in their definition of eligibility for services to infants and toddlers under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It reviews the procedures and criteria used to determine developmental delay and outlines the…

Ninety-nine parents of students with special needs who participated in Minnesota's 1990-91 open enrollment program responded to a survey item which asked for their comments on their child's participation in the program. Twelve broad topics were identified within the content of these responses: teacher/administration attitudes,…

Missouri's vocational education delivery system provided a full range of programs, services, and activities for students in secondary, postsecondary, and adult institutions during fiscal year 1993. Some highlights of these activities are the following: (1) the system was composed of 418 local education agencies (LEAs), including 397 comprehensive…

This report focuses on progress in the implementation of Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through a comparison of states' status on three yearly administrations of the State Progress Scale. The scale was designed to monitor implementation of the required 14 components in the stages of policy development, policy…

This monograph provides a framework for programs, states, and organizations to think about the issues in developing culturally competent programs for families of children with special needs, and offers a variety of examples from programs across the country that are providing exemplary services. The monograph is designed to help program makers…

A series of self-study questions is presented to examine policy and practice issues important in developing culturally competent programs for children with special needs and their families. Cultural competence refers to a program's ability to honor and respect the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, and behaviors both of families who are…

This guide was developed for the purpose of providing Nebraska's educational agencies with documentation and a rationale for effectively utilizing paraprofessionals in special education. The guide provides examples of school policies which meet the intent of Nebraska law and may be utilized to improve the productivity and effectiveness of…

This directory of selected early childhood programs includes project grants in three categories administered by the Office of Special Education Programs and funded under the Early Education Program for Children with Disabilities. The program categories include the Division of Innovation and Development, the Division of Personnel Preparation, and…

Activities of the Technology Access for Arkansans (TAARK) project have focused on: (1) identifying the need and quality of technology provisions in the state; (2) disseminating information about appropriate technology and funding; (3) educating Arkansans about technology and advocacy; (4) developing a coordinated state plan; and (5) providing…

This report describes specific requirements of Public Law 94-142 concerning the establishment of a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) to ensure that qualified personnel deliver appropriate educational and related services to handicapped children and youth in Delaware. Various components of the CSPD are reviewed, including the…