This book is designed to provide general and special education teachers with basic information in the workings of special education and to describe teachers' roles in designing meaningful programs for students with disabilities. An introductory chapter describes special education law, terminology, and professional standards. In addition, three…

This guide is designed to inform Illinois parents of children with disabilities about their childrens' educational rights and about special education services. Topics covered include: (1) steps to getting services, parent participation, and examples of modifications; (2) screening, referral, evaluation, and conference; (3) eligibility categories…

Highlights specific questions, concerns, and challenges faced by educators, parents, and students concerning assessment, accountability, accommodations, and alternate assessment. Examples of state assessment-accommodation policies are provided and reasons for providing test accommodations, requirements of Individualized Education Programs,…

Concomitant with the increase in the number of paraprofessionals assisting students with disabilities is the emergence of legal issues pertaining to the need, selection, responsibilities, preparation, and supervision of those paraprofessionals. The purpose of this article is to provide a legal analysis of administrative and judicial decisions…

This report discusses disciplining children with disabilities in schools, in the context of the legal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Practical concepts are explained in terms of the school's responsibility to: (1) maintain a safe environment; (2) teach a code of discipline to all students; (3) use the…

This study examined the recording of special educational needs as required by the 1980 and 1981 Education Acts of Scotland, focusing on differing criteria for opening Records of Needs. The study conducted a national survey over 4 sample months of recording activity, interviewed key informants (usually a school's principal psychologist or education…

This booklet provides an introduction to the special education process and supplies information about parents' rights and parents' role in obtaining services for children with disabilities in North Dakota. Section I discusses Public Law 94-142 and its amendments, focusing on eligibility for services and step-by-step procedures for determining…

This publication uses a question-and-answer format to provide parents with basic information about special education services. It is provided in both English and Spanish versions. Questions address the following concerns: purposes of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); beginning the student evaluation process; components of the…

The practicum report describes inservice training to increase mainstream elementary teachers' (N=15) awareness of the ramifications of having an emotionally handicapped child in the regular classroom through increased knowledge of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and its guidelines and procedures. The inservice program was developed and…

The enactment of educational equity legislation, such as the Women's Equity Act of 1974 and the Education for all Children Act of 1974 (Public Law 94-142), has resulted in increased funding for education program development, but little hard data has been collected to prove program effectiveness. A review of research literature indicates that not…

This information brief on the successful transition of students with disabilities to postsecondary educational settings focuses on the importance of the student's full participation in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process during secondary school and the student's developing understanding of differences between secondary and…

This paper provides explanations and case examples of some terms and concepts related to transition of students with disabilities under 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Explanations and examples focus on the concepts of "statement of transition service needs" and "statement of needed transition…

This guide for parents, in Spanish, explains the changes in the federal special education law resulting from the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changes related to the parent's role in decisions about the child's education and in how schools can discipline special education students are highlighted. A…

This paper provides assistance to Florida school districts regarding the development of their extended school year (ESY) policies and procedures for students with disabilities as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act and Florida statutes. Following a brief section providing background information, 27 questions and…

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist local boards of education, charter school organizers, and charter school governing boards in identifying legal, procedural, and funding issues related to serving students with disabilities in Colorado charter schools. As a best practice, charters should contain a specific plan for compliance with…