A case study investigated the use of a decision-making model, characterized by partnerships between professionals and learners, in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for students with learning difficulties in Scotland. The student (age 13) and the teachers agreed that the development of an IEP collectively had been useful.…

Stresses that music teachers must address the Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each of the children with disabilities in order to have successful experiences with inclusion. Maintains that inclusion helps to change the attitudes about students with disabilities, promotes teamwork among teachers and staff, and enhances the education of all the…

Examines principles, procedures, and research of the British Special Education Needs (SEN) "Code of Practice" in the context of requirements for implementation of a revised code by 2002. Considers code administration, paperwork, Individualized Education Program requirements, assessment criteria, transition planning, parent role, and…

A survey of 26 secondary school special educational needs coordinators found that 21 felt that instead of writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), it would be more efficient to describe flexible systems that were in place. Twenty-four believed time spent writing and administering the IEP would be better spent on direct pupil support. (Contains…

Traces an autistic boy's steps through the school day and examines the impact of the federal inclusion mandate on children with disabilities. States that the first step toward implementing inclusion properly is to improve the training of teachers, and that the goals and effectiveness of inclusion must be determined by each child's individual…

The purpose of this study was to examine a positive behavior support plan implemented in a correctional facility for male juveniles to determine its effectiveness in changing behavior. The study was precipitated by teachers' concern with the punishment orientation of the facility and the need to do Functional Behavior Assessment for students'…

Under the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have a legal obligation to conduct functional behavior assessments (FBAs) when developing intervention plans for students with disabilities whose behaviors lead their individualized education program teams to consider a change in educational placement, including suspension and…

In December 2004, Congress reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and in doing so, established the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). On July 1, 2005, NCSER began its operation and held its first set of research grant competitions, which included the…

This book is just what many educators have been looking for: (1) A product that provides teachers with practical and sensible solutions for students' problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity; (2) A resource for teachers, behavior specialists, psychologists, counselors, and administrators who must document interventions; (3) A tool…

This article profiles Amanda Valentin, a 22-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who is a quadriplegic and nonverbal, who uses assistive technology to improve her life. The author was Amanda's assistive technology specialist who trained her to utilize software and hardware efficiently. She describes the steps she took to ensure that the assistive…

A popular term in contemporary special education circles is "empowerment," but what does it actually mean to be an empowered individual? Although many definitions exist in the literature and include such terms such as self-determination and self-advocacy, at the core of empowerment is the understanding that an individual is truly empowered the…

The topic of how best to serve English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities is an important one. The total population of ELLs, including those with disabilities, is rapidly increasing in schools. ELLs with disabilities can be found in rural, suburban, and urban districts. Some of the challenges of appropriately instructing these students may…

As every school administrator knows, the IEP is an integral part of meeting the needs of students with disabilities (Wright & Wright, 1999). It is the primary device through which communication takes place among parents, students, administrators, teachers, and other related service personnel regarding how the school plans to meet the requirements…

This article discusses teaching social skills and assertiveness to students with disabilities. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) content standards for physical education emphasize teaching responsible personal and social behaviors to students of all abilities, to help them develop an understanding of and respect for…

Current research and legislation show a need for special education instruction to be more closely aligned with general education curriculum and develop strategies that support the development of self determination skills in students with disabilities. The present study embeds self-determination skills of writing annual goals and objectives in the…