The purpose of this brief is to help families and educators understand the right of students with disabilities who need accessible educational materials to receive these materials in a timely manner. This right is based on provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as in the disability civil rights statutes…

Since the reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, standards-based individualized education plans (IEPs) have been an expectation for serving students with disabilities in the K-12 public school setting. Nearly a decade after the mandates calling for standards-based IEPs, special educators still struggle…

The article describes the evolution of a service delivery system to address the needs of learning disabled students in a medium-sized Canadian school district. The steps followed in moving the service delivery system into place are described. The relationship between research and political issues and the need for further program development are…

Paraprofessionals may fulfill a number of roles with learning disabled students, ranging from assistance in diagnosis to individual instruction. State and local education agencies should prepare for the advent of paraprofessionals through inservice and supervision, being attentive to problematic areas of responsibilities, interpersonal…

This resource manual--proceedings of two task force meetings--is intended to assist Florida school districts, state agencies, and parents in the provision of special programs for students who exhibit disorders in oral or written language. As part of a continuing effort to improve services for exceptional students in Florida's public schools, the…

The article critiques some of the flaws of mainstreaming, such as grade-level curriculum demands, reporting systems, standardized tests, teacher training, and the individualization of instruction. (Author/SBH)

The position paper developed by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities stresses the need for systematic inservice programs for service providers. Deterrents cited to quality inservice programs include lack of planning and program availability. It is explained that the committee's recommendations were made after reviewing model…

The author describes a system using computer technology to organize instructional materials in a school system or regional library so that teachers of learning disabled and other disabled students have help in the selection of appropriate materials. (SW)

SHOP, or Search Handicapped Outreach Program, identifies gifted/learning-disabled students, develops enrichment activities using J. Renzulli's Triad Model, and implements effective delivery models to provide an environment in which the students can utilize their strengths and interact with gifted peers. (JDD)

The practicum report describes the development of a communication network designed to enhance cooperation among parents and staff of a private learning disabilities clinic in Miami, Florida. The program featured a variety of contact follow-up forms, a series of workshops, and periodic student progress reports and follow-up conferences with both…

The development of a competency based teacher preservice and inservice education program in learning disabilities is described. It is explained that the program consisted of video modules of instruction and opportunities for discussion. Initial participants in the program are said to have been teachers from four school districts who evaluated…

This position statement of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities identifies factors necessary for effective educational services for students with learning disabilities in general education classrooms; problems related to providing these services; and recommendations for actions required at the state, school district, and school…

The Lab School of Washington was established to serve moderately to severely learning-disabled children of average to superior intelligence, aged 4-18. This paper discusses the school's historical development, its philosophy of emphasizing the arts, its goals, its population, and its admission policy. (JDD)

Describes a program designed for learning disabled adolescents that offers them instruction in the regular curriculum supplemented with direct and indirect services from trained special education teachers. (FL)

Oakland School, near Charlottesville, Virginia, is a boarding and day school for children (ages 8-17) with learning disabilities and other academic problems. This paper describes the school's history, philosophy, academic calendar, student characteristics, teaching staff, curriculum, residential program, and additional services. (JDD)