A review of the literature on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from 1975 to 1989 identifies three phases (a normative phase, an analytic phase, and a technology reaction phase), and reveals a history of IEPs' inadequacies and passive compliance, in contrast to the original intent of Public Law 94-142. (Author/JDD)

Principles of planning for the transition of students with special needs into postsecondary educational programs include incorporation of postsecondary objectives into the secondary school individualized education program, use of the team approach, comprehensive program planning, interagency collaboration, and identification of resources and…

Proposes nine guidelines for school staff working with students who have special health care needs. The guidelines are child related, family related, and school related. Discussion of each guideline includes illustrations of issues arising from the guideline and considerations for implementing it. (SM)

Describes the services of the Career Education and Vocational Department at the California School for the Deaf, including providing career counseling and transition activities for students, encouraging parents and teachers to become involved in transition planning, and training students to take ownership of their own Individualized Transition…

Presents the legal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in disciplining students with disabilities, describes IDEA's requirement that school officials address student problem behavior in the Individualized Education Program, and offers recommendations regarding the formation of school district policies and…

A survey completed by 69 special educators examined their perceptions of the benefits of self-determination for individuals with disabilities, the characteristics associated with self-determination, and the strategies used to achieve it. Results indicated strong support for self-determination instruction. However, few teachers included…

This article discusses methods for more fully including parents in the development of a child's individualized education program (IEP). It summarizes what the law and research say about parental participation and decision making, identifies barriers to such participation, and offers suggestions to teachers to facilitate meaningful parental…

A study examined 149 urban and rural school psychologists' abilities to use formal and informal assessment data to diagnose autism and plan an effective educational program for a student with high-functioning autism. Respondents had difficulty recognizing autism but were able to select appropriate Individualized Education Program goals for the…

This article discusses the concept of professional/parent partnerships and the legal, attitudinal, and logistical barriers to providing an appropriate education for many gifted learners. A parent describes her role as an instructional partner in the development of an individualized program for her gifted child. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article reviews transition as it relates to students with learning disabilities (LD). Specifically, it provides a discussion of transition planning for individuals with LD, an overview of state and federal mandates and initiatives that influence transition practices, and a discussion of transition practices. (Author/DB)

The Preschool Referenced Assessment process, intended to link ecological and judgment-based assessment to instructional planning for young children with disabilities in inclusive settings, is described, including instructions for use of assessment forms and development of goals and objectives for the child's Individualized Education Program. (DB)

Analysis of responses of school-based speech-language pathologists found that respondents spend their time on the following activities: monitoring, screening and Individualized Education Program review activities; conferring with teachers; and other activities such as direct intervention and inservice training. Respondents spent most of their time…

Examination of participation and accommodation policies of all states revealed that in most states the Individualized Education Program team is central in deciding the participation of students with disabilities in state assessments. Testing accommodations are commonly allowed, although there is considerable variability. States generally offer…

This article describes how successful collaborative planning for students' full or partial involvement in all aspects of the general curriculum through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) can ensure that students with disabilities have meaningful participation in the life of the school community. Indicators of effective collaboration are…

A survey of 50 Hispanic and non-Hispanic parents of children with learning disabilities examined treatment of the two groups of parents in the special education process, parents' involvement in the process, and how parental treatment compared to the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Strategies are suggested to maximize…