Disparities exist in autism identification and service access in U.S. public schools. Over- or under-identification of autism may limit access to appropriate services. This study examined racial and ethnic differences in autism identification, general education inclusion, and service access in the California education system and examined trends in…

The National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools (the Center) is deeply committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to charter schools and that charter schools are designed and operated to enable success for all students. To accomplish this goal, the Center conducts analyses and releases a comprehensive…

We investigated the variability across states in the prevalence of learning disabilities (LD) as reported by the U. S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). This expanded upon the work of Hallahan and colleagues on interstate prevalence rate variability of special education disability categories by focusing on a…

I began my doctoral studies in 2009 with a substantive interest in the experiences of Asian American families and children with disabilities in the United States. As a group that is consistently underrepresented in special education, Asian American children are generally omitted from the policy and research discourse on disabilities. However,…

The field of special education's focus on moderate and severe disabilities (MSD) has undergone a number of changes in the past five decades. Some have been philosophical, some based on research, some based on mandated practices through U.S. law, and some based on the development of better technologies. While pioneers in the field first established…

Dr. Frank Gresham provides his reflections on a long and productive career in providing support to children with significant challenges. Dr. Gresham also provides his thoughts on the future of the field.

The goal of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is no longer simply to make services available to young children with disabilities and their families, but also to ensure that those services lead to enhanced outcomes for participating children and families. To that end, IDEA 2004 requires states to submit State Performance Plans…

Since the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there has been a growing focus on improving the quality of programs for children with disabilities and measuring the results/outcomes of those programs. Across the country, IDEA Part C Programs for Infants and Toddlers and IDEA Part B, Section 619 Preschool…

This dissertation examined the impact that Proposition 227 had upon the identification and placement of English language learners in Special Education programs in small, necessary Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) in the state of California. Furthermore, this dissertation studied the practices and strategies used by small, necessary…

In light of the reduction of support at the national level, the author suggests a renewed attention to seeking broad based local support for early identification and intervention with young handicapped infants and children. Journal availability: Division for Early Childhood, The Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Dr., Reston, VA…

This data sheet presents statistics relating to education of students with disabilities. Statistical highlights indicate that the number of students participating in federal programs for children with disabilities increased each year between 1977 and 1992, despite a decrease in elementary and secondary enrollment during the late 1970s and…

Outlines briefly the historical development of the field of learning disabilities, describes its present status with a discussion of some of the major issues and controversies, and indicates some emerging trends and future directions. (Author/RK)

The author traces efforts to define and redefine learning disabilities (LD). The inclusion of children in LD classes who do not meet requirements of the definition is seen as a common yet dangerous practice. (CL)

A review of the history and current status of screening and differential diagnosis in the field of learning disabilities concludes that continued efforts at refinements in diagnosis/classification are unproductive. The authors offer a variety of concrete recommendations from a data-based perspective to make appropriate educational experiences…