In this article, we share how a professional development school (PDS) partnership between several elementary school sites within a district and an institution of higher education prepares special education teacher candidates. The following challenges are identified for PDS stakeholders: recruiting qualified special education mentor teachers,…

The administrator's manual is designed to help Minnesota's school districts to implement their new surrogate parent programs. The first section explains what must occur according to federal and state rules and regulations on the topic. Three steps are identified: (1) identifying students who need surrogate parents; (2) recruiting and naming…

Among 16 components of a good physical education program for handicapped children are the following: physical fitness, motor development, perceptual development, body awareness, hand dominance, perception, problem solving, creativity, memory, concentration, discipline, and confidence. (DB)

The author suggests that the most effective method of serving mainstreamed secondary level disabled students is through a comprehensive support system delivered by direct involvement of special needs teachers in the mainstreamed classes. (CL)

The author describes a project in which disabled students are trained to tutor nondisabled students. The advantages of such an approach are considered. Tutoring is described in resource rooms, total class approaches, and as a "ripple" model which begins small and expands. (CL)

The AVICTORY (Ability, Values, Information, Circumstances, Timing, Obligation, Resistance and Yield) approach, a framework for assessing organizational readiness for microcomputers, is delineated. A case illustration demonstrates relevance, and a strategy for operationalizing and measuring organizational readiness is provided. Activities that may…

A three-tiered approach to help teachers develop a meaningful mainstreaming program begins with the development of self-esteem in each student. Cross-age tutoring, the second tier, can enhance learning of nonhandicapped and handicapped students. The final tier focuses on information and support needs of the staff. (CL)

Meaningful program evaluation is essential to interagency collaboration for handicapped persons. A team approach to developing an evaluation strategy must take into account factors within four stages of the evaluation process: 1) focusing, 2) planning, 3) implementing the evaluation, and 4) disseminating results and assessing the evaluation…

The article outlines characteristics of effective learning centers for reinforcing initial teaching, clarifying concepts that have been taught, and providing needed drill and practice. Steps involved in creating a learning center are listed, and a description of a learning center is offered. (SB)

The article describes a procedural model for individualizing instructional objectives that are stated in behavioral terms. A definition for behavioral objectives is offered, and methods of individualizing objectives for five basic areas of objectives adjustment are outlined. (SBH)

The National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC-SD) was assigned the task of compiling, analyzing, and summarizing the data for Indicator 1--Graduation--from the FFY 2009 Annual Performance Reports (APRs) and amended State Performance Plans (SPPs), which were submitted by states to the Office of Special Education…

High school students with disabilities who drop out are costly to society. Compared to those who graduate, they are more likely to be unemployed, dependent on public services, and involved in the criminal justice system. Consequently, helping students with disabilities graduate has become a prominent national concern. Students with disabilities…

One of a series of case studies on mainstreaming programs, the report describes a pre-kindergarten program serving disabled children. Interviews with program participants and classroom observations focus on the total learning environment and the experience of five mainstreamed children. Initial comments address the program's physical setting and…

The report describes the development and effectiveness of a program designed to help handicapped students fomerly served within New York state operated or supported school settings make the transition into public (local) high schools. Teacher-trainers provided services through two program components: career-related program support, which…

Individualized service planning for handicapped individuals requires a formalized tracking mechanism to determine the effectiveness of services, tools for encouraging interagency cooperation, systematized intervention, communication, coordination, and accountability procedures. A three-tiered system is presented that illustrates separate processes…