Knowledgeable teachers, enhanced environments, appropriate programs and materials, appropriate technology, adequate assessment, and sophisticated notions of individualization are suggested as factors that will provide a "least restrictive" environment for mainstreamed nonverbal handicapped children, as required by the Education for Handicapped…

Results suggested that although inservice training appears to enable special service teams to increase the number of complete individualized education programs, both inservice training and performance feedback may be necessary to maintain increased team productivity during the school year. (Author)

Project STREAM (Special Training in Remedial Education Activities for Mainstreaming), a program providing regular elementary teachers with skills to individualize programs for handicapped children in their regular classrooms, is described. (PHR)

First addresses the use of destructive labels to describe students with behavior disorders, including negative multiassessment practices, weakness-focused Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), punitive management programs, disparaging remarks, and behavioral descriptions that accentuate student weaknesses. It then suggests ways to promote dignity…

This article provides strategies that early childhood special educators can use to incorporate the learning of specific skills into a variety of developmentally appropriate play activities for children with disabilities. The development of individualized education programs that incorporate play as a framework for intervention is discussed. (CR)

Discusses the assessment component of individualized education programs for students with visual impairments. Important issues reviewed are the appropriate selection of a battery of tests; the knowledge base about a particular vision condition; the importance of supplementing testing information with meaningful observations and interviews; and…

Examines the current system of providing and documenting special education by analyzing the Individualized Education Program through a number of its implicit and often unquestioned assumptions. Explores flaws in the current system and makes recommendations for major changes in policy implementation, teacher education, and school organizations. (PB)

This article presents a four-step strategy for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for severely disabled learners based on principles of age-appropriate participation in regular classes and special education and related services provided in the regular school environment. Stressed are integration, individualization, teamwork,…

The paper summarizes the reasons given for the decrease in Braille literacy and analyzes them as indicators of faults in the system of educating children with visual handicaps. Reasons include undercounting visually handicapped children, emphasizing use of vision, attitudes toward Braille, teacher competency, service delivery via itinerant…

Provides suggestions for teaching library skills to mainstreamed special education students for each of the four components of the instructional model: (1) determining skill level; (2) setting objectives; (3) instructing with modification (methods, materials, and motivation); and (4) monitoring progress. (seven references) (MES)

Discusses independent elementary schools serving primarily Black urban students. Focuses on the following issues: (1) individualized attention; (2) small class size; (3) parent participation; (4) cultural values; and (5) school finance. Suggests that many of the principles and practices applied in independent schools could improve public…

The article argues that students with severe intellectual disabilities should attend their local "home school" where they should have an individualized educational program in both regular and special settings, with the necessary resources applied to develop, maintain, and enhance social relationships with nondisabled peers. (Author/DB)

Consistency in legal opinions provides administrators a framework for dealing with the discipline of handicapped students. Determination should be made by the individualized educational program team to ensure that students not be disciplined merely because they are handicapped. (MLF)

If extended school year (ESY) programming is required in order for the student with disabilities to receive an appropriate education, school districts must make the necessary provisions. Reviews court decisions. (31 footnotes) (MLF)

Comprehensively surveys the reported court decisions arising from liability litigation on behalf of K-12 students with disabilities. Reports that no court decision has appeared of monetary damage judgment against a public school district or official for improper diagnosis/placement or improper education of a nondisabled, much less disabled,…