This is a technical report of agency actions and legislative recommendations for programs regulated by the state or government-to-government responsibilities that must be met for children aged 3-5. As changes in PreK services affect enrollment in birth-3 and school-age care, impacts on these other programs are vital to alignment work. Partnering…

States and local school districts are required by federal law to educate preschool age children with disabilities in typical early childhood programs alongside children who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate. This policy brief provides an overview of the law and sets forth a list of policy recommendations that can help…

Inclusion is a federal and state mandate, making it critical that early childhood teachers have adequate preparation in their preservice program for serving young children with disabilities. One of the challenges states face in increasing the availability of high-quality inclusive programs is ensuring adequate numbers of confident, competent…

The article compares the trends in special education in Oklahoma to that of the nation at large especially in the areas of numbers of students with learning disabilities, mainstreaming, least restrictive environment, community integration, transition, and early intervention. (DB)

This review of effective practices in state-wide systems change was conducted as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a 5-year collaborative systems change project in California to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities previously at special centers into services at regular…

Mainstreaming is defined as the conscientious effort to place handicapped children into the least restrictive educational setting that is appropriate for their needs. The primary objective of this process is to provide these children with the most appropriate and effective educational experiences that will enable them to become self-reliant…

This directory describes several early childhood projects sponsored by the U.S. Ofice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), including project grants administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and project grants in three categories administered by the Office of Special Education Programs:…

A case study illustrates comprehensive systems-change integration strategies employed by the Iowa Department of Education over the past six years and their results. A proactive leadership role is recommended to state education agencies in promoting integration. Implications for other states are discussed. (Author/PB)

This final report describes the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a 5-year collaborative systems change project in California to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities who were previously served at special centers into services at regular schools and the integration of students in special…

This technical assistance planning guide was developed as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a California project to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities previously at special centers into services at regular school sites and to facilitate the integration of students in…

The study examines the status of providing services to children in out-of-district placements and the implementation of the least restrictive environment mandate for handicapped children. Part I reviews the statutory mandate for least restrictive placement and notes policy problems associated with the effort. Part II identifies state policies to…

Intended for program developers, the document discusses Level I programs for mainstreamed handicapped children in the state of Maryland (Level I services are those that can be provided in the general education classroom with supplementary services and aids not provided in the general program). An introduction to Level I services is presented,…

Discusses a study which examined state use of prereferral intervention for students with handicaps, determining whether specialized training in prereferral is provided in states promoting it. Survey results indicated that 34 state education agencies promoted prereferral intervention, and 49 percent of those implementing it were trained in…

This report presents the December 1, 1996 special education data collected annually by the State of Maryland as part of the its Special Services Information System. Information is compiled on special education students ages 3-21 in all 24 local education agencies and state operated programs. Definitions of key terms used to classify student…

This circular outlines the inclusion policy of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Inclusion is defined as a combination of long-standing "least restrictive environment" policies, with an emphasis on active social membership in the class or community, but not representing a legal requirement that every child be educated in the same…