The information digest on emotional disturbances provides basic information on definition, incidence, patterns of behavior, and educational implications as well as suggested additional resources. The definition of "emotional disturbances" in P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, is given and briefly discussed.…

A definition and rationale for full equity under Title IX legislation in terms of outcomes for students and benefits for school districts are given in this article. The relationship of compliance to equity is explored through an analysis of short-term and long-term costs and benefits for students and schools in both minimal and maximal equity…

This digest analyzes the definitions of disability in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It notes that, in order to be eligible for special education services under the act, the child must meet two criteria: (1) he/she must have one or more of the specific disabilities listed in the act, and (2)he/she must require special…

This digest examines prospects for educational voucher reforms across the U.S. education system. Currently, fewer than 20,000 U.S. students use publicly-funded school vouchers in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Florida. As a proportion, this figure is tiny. Education voucher programs are neither prominent nor popular now. Whether they proliferate over…

There is a necessary connection between civics and economics in education for democracy. This connection should be reflected in school curricula. This digest discusses: (1) federal legislation and programs promoting civics and economics; (2) the connections between civics and economics in the study of the U.S. Constitution; (3) the status of…

This CRitical Issue Bibliography (CRIB) Sheet cites resources that give an overview of Title IX legislation and offer information about compliance, litigation, and related issues. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from gender-based discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal financial…

This digest focuses on a variety of issues confronting copyright law in the digital age. The current copyright law was adopted in 1976, and could not possibly have foreseen so many new technologies. However, it did attempt to cover all bases by using language which was intended to be somewhat elastic. A current report by the U.S. Department of…

This revised digest presents basic information on mental retardation for educators and others. First, definitions from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) are presented. The fact sheet then analyzes how the new AAMR definition differs from earlier ones noting the new…

This digest examines how the concepts of least restrictive environment, mainstreaming, and inclusion have been developed by Congress and the courts. An introductory discussion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) notes that Congress did not define the concept of least restrictive environment, but left it to the courts to shape…

This paper describes highlights of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that have a high impact on the delivery of special education services. IDEA's eight parts are outlined, and then two parts are discussed in more detail: (1) Part B, which authorizes federal grants to states to help underwrite the costs of educating children…

Colleges and universities are expected to provide safe and appropriate learning and working environments, including freedom from sexual harassment. Unfortunately, the frequency of complaints on college and university campuses has increased. Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and is prohibited by federal laws. This behavior…

This fact sheet provides a basic overview of energy problems and programs in the United States and discusses the role that vocational education can play in solving those problems. The National Energy Plan is described including its objectives, strategies, and seven legislative acts: (1) The National Energy Conservation Act; (2) The Power Plant and…

As part of a series on the legal and governmental foundations governing education of handicapped and gifted children, the booklet focuses on the provision of developmentally appropriate services to handicapped infants and preschool age children and their families. An initial section reviews the literature on the benefits of early intervention in…

This digest discusses the process of referring language minority students to special education, focusing specifically on the problems of overreferral and underreferral. The prereferral process, the assessment and referral process, and the characteristics and behaviors of language minority students in need of special education are described in…

The computer search reprint provides abstracts of 118 references concerned with the efficacy of Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the least restrictive environment concept. Citations were selected from the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) and ECER (Exceptional Child Education Resources)…