The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that schools assist students with disabilities to develop independent living skills and abilities essential to succeed in most of their life's endeavors. According to the law, each student with a disability must have an individualized education program (IEP), and the IEP must address…

This document was prepared to assist literacy specialists in the national Regional Comprehensive Center network as they work with states to improve educational policy and practice in the area of adolescent literacy. It comprises three major parts: Part One: "Improving academic literacy instruction for students in grades 4-12." Based on…

Direct services (pull-out programs, special classes, and summer seminars) and indirect services (consultant activities) are examined in a discussion of educating gifted students in rural areas. Three instructional delivery models (enrichment triad, creative, and arts models) used in rural areas are briefly described. (CL)

Provision of full-time programs for highly gifted students at both the elementary and secondary levels is supported, and guidelines are offered on criteria and procedures for student selection, curriculum and teaching methods, characteristics and training requirements for teachers, findings of research on special classes, and the need for…

This paper addresses ways in which regular art teachers can effectively serve students with mental disabilities and ways in which administrators can guide their districts regarding integrated situations in art education. A rationale is offered for including art education in the education of students with mental disabilities. Factors to be…

The use of various resources in special education in Scotland is described in this collection of 12 papers. Written by classroom teachers, the first five relate individual attempts to deal with particular problems, i.e., science education for the visually handicapped, two different approaches to teaching the mentally handicapped, art for the…

The guide is intended to serve as a basic information resource to the principal and/or classroom teacher pertaining to the nature of the bright and gifted student. Chapter I focuses on general considerations for gifted children with sections on the history of gifted education, definition and identification of the gifted, programs for the gifted,…

This study examined the nature of instruction provided in 40 self-contained special classes for students classified as learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded. Few differences were identified in teacher communication patterns, learner involvement, and instructional methods for students with different categorical…

This handbook provides North Carolina school units with an explanation of service delivery components for academically gifted students and an overview of a variety of program models for gifted education. The program options include the following: enrichment in the classroom with the consultant-teacher, the Triad Model, resource room/pull-out,…

A questionnaire sent to 274 Michigan special education teachers in resource rooms and self-contained classrooms were dsigned to identify the treatment methods and materials used by these teachers to teach penmanship and spelling to learning-disabled students. A review of the literature examines the theoretical background of written expression,…

The resource manual is intended to provide information for inservice training on current legislation, activities, and teaching techniques related to adapted physical education for California educators including special education teachers, resource specialists, and regular physical education teachers. The manual is divided into four modules. The…

The Texas Education Agency bulletin examines aspects of physical education for students with handicaps. Following a statement of philosophy, the guidelines address the following topics: assessment (characteristics of motor assessment instruments); the developmental program plan (program organization, descriptors and skills for essential elements);…

A survey evaluation of special classes for the gifted in 35 Indiana school districts was carried out among 173 teachers, administrators, and program coordinators. Results indicated that the curriculum and teaching methods were clearly differentiated for the gifted and were effective in meeting their needs. (Author/PB)

The learning needs of blind and visually impaired children can be categorized into three groups: (1) needs met by adapting the curriculum; (2) needs met by changing the instructional methodology; and (3) developmental and educational needs unique to these students. (Author/CB)

The paper addresses placement of students with severe disabilities in regular or special classes within home schools, describes Vermont's Homecoming Model Project, and identifies best educational practices. The roles of state-level support and school leadership are stressed. Instructional strategies including data-based methods, partner learning…