This issue provides some general guidelines for lawyers to follow in advising a school district to consider referral of a student for special education assessment. It provides information on the evaluation and eligibility requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, case law addressing child find activities, and criteria for…

This policy brief reports on an analysis of the legislation establishing charter schools in the 19 states that had such legislation as of December 1995. It identifies provisions in the state legislation which specify anti-discrimination policies and clauses, the inclusion of students at risk or students with disabilities, fiscal provisions,…

Natural environments is a term used in the regulations for Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It states that early intervention services must be provided in natural environments, including home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate. Questions addressed in this paper include: (1)…

This policy brief examines the relationship between fiscal policies in special education and the requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. It discusses the effects of state fiscal policy on the provision of special…

This newsletter issue focuses on the assessment of school-aged children to: (1) determine if a child has a disability and is eligible for special services, and (2) provide information that can drive educational programming. Section 1 is an introduction which addresses a definition of assessment, how students are identified for assessment, federal…

This paper is intended to assist state and local education agencies in their efforts to provide appropriate educational services to students with disabilities in a manner consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its accompanying regulations. The paper deals directly with Subpart D of Section 504, concerning preschool,…

Five policy papers address methods of funding vocational/special education and relative benefits versus expenditures for different employment training systems for moderately and severely handicapped persons. The first paper critiques the present vocational education funding system for handicapped students. Federal funding mechanisms, state and…

This issue of the "Quarterly Resource" focuses on Head Start's role in complying with federal regulation concerning Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for young children with disabilities. The report spells out the responsibilities of the local education agency and of the Head Start program. It discusses membership on the…

This theme issue provides guidance on school district compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the inclusion of students with disabilities. It provides a summary and analysis of four recent decisions in federal appellate courts, which all affirmed the right of students with significant disabilities to attend…

This guide (with audiotape) offers information on helping students with disabilities become involved in developing their own Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The guide is organized into lesson plans which can be adapted to individual situations. Individual lessons focus on the following topics: (1) introductory work with students (such as…

This news digest provides an annotated bibliography on resources about inclusion of children with disabilities in general education classrooms. An introductory section on inclusion considers: definitions of inclusion and mainstreaming, provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which provide the legal basis for inclusion, issues…

This policy update discusses provisions of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act which directly influence the experiences of high school-age students with disabilities as they prepare for the transition from school to work and adult life. The paper discusses: (1) purposes of the Act; (2) the eight National Education Goals of Title I; (3)…

This edition of the newsletter of the National Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth explains the procedural safeguards provided by Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, to insure that each eligible child receives a free appropriate public education. Individual sections have the following titles:…

This bulletin edition provides a side-by-side comparison of: (1) statutory provisions of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as modified by the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990 (Public Law 101-476); (2) the U.S. Department of Education's explanation for regulatory changes proposed to implement the…

By setting academic standards, America takes its first critical step toward providing a plan that will create an excellent educational system for the 21st century. It is important for those working on standards and those educating students with disabilities to work together as standards are being developed. Four kinds of standards need to be…