The identification of students with specific learning disabilities has evolved since the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004. This reauthorization gave state agencies parameters that disallowed using the severe discrepancy model for identification as a stand-alone method. In response to…

Across the United States, educators and education leaders are increasingly recognizing the value of social and emotional learning (SEL), school climate, and related whole-person efforts as keys to enabling student success. Many school districts are still exploring or just beginning implementation of these whole-person efforts, and many have…

We know that students cannot learn if they are not in school, and that students with economic challenges miss school more frequently than other students. What obstacles create this attendance gap, and how can school districts provide the supports to improve attendance for these students? The authors of this article, who work with the Texas…

Several states have changed their statewide achievement tests over the past 5 years. These changes may pose difficulties for educators tasked with identifying students in need of additional support. This study evaluated the stability of decision-making accuracy estimates across changes to the statewide achievement test. We analyzed extant data…

Given the number of young children experiencing homelessness and its devastating impacts on development, preschool programs play a critical role in meeting these children's need for quality early care and education; yet, most young homeless children do not receive early childhood services. Many barriers limit access to early childhood programs for…

Title VII provides funding for the education of American Indian/Alaska Native students based on a formula grant available to school districts, charter schools, and local education agencies (LEAs). This report explores why some eligible schools and districts do not apply for federal Title VII, potentially resulting in American Indian/Alaska Native…

Investigations of why students with emotional disturbance (ED) are underidentified in special education have often focused on economic factors and problems with the definition of ED. The present study focuses on variation in underidentification across states and its relationship to political ideology. State-level political, economic, and…

Between 2000 and 2007, six western states conducted individual impact studies using public school youth in grades five, seven, and nine. Common areas of study included: risk behaviors, leadership positions held, helping others, close relationships with adults, self-identity, character, self-confidence, and empowerment. The purpose of the study was…

The report (in working draft form) of the Connecticut Task Force on Identification of the Gifted and Talented discusses general systems and instruments of identification, identifying the academically gifted, identifying the disadvantaged gifted, and identifying special types of giftedness. Excerpts from Connecticut State Department of Eduation…

Public awareness activities of Wisconsin's Statewide Child Identification Project are described; and data on distribution of public awareness materials are presented along with statistics on the number, ages and exceptional educational needs of previously served and unserved children. (CL)

Reviewed are 10 Child Find projects to locate possibly handicapped children as mandated by Public Law 94-142 with particular emphasis on Child Find activities in New York State. Noted are efforts of Colorado, and Idaho including public awareness campaigns, and screening programs. It is reported that more than 30 projects have been funded in New…

Discussed are issues in the identification of culturally different gifted children in urban areas with particular emphasis on state policy in Georgia. Considered are the need for earlier identification to prevent a decline in academic achievement, the definition and criteria for gifted children according to Georgia state policy, varieties of…

The Massachusetts Department of Education's Accountability and Targeted Assistance (ATA) Center maintains and manages the state's School and District Accountability System. Results from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) are used to identify public schools and districts that are likely to require state intervention in order…

Included in the progress report are information and statistics on Wisconsin's efforts to comply with Subchapter IV of Chapter 115, the state's special education law. (CL)