One of the phenomena that predicts poorer educational outcomes for young people, as well as poorer outcomes in other areas, is certainly the phenomenon of complex needs, i.e., challenges that cut across different domains, often combining psychosocial wellbeing, physical and mental health, socioeconomic background, the burden of different…

Describes current child-count systems that count students with visual impairments and additional disabilities in only one disability area. This results in an undercount of the incidence of visual impairment. Discusses the need for children to be initially counted by the disability of the lowest incidence. (CR)

This paper examines the basic tenets of the 1968 blueprint for change offered by Lloyd Dunn, which outlined a progressive plan to improve special education for students labeled as slow learners and educable mentally retarded. Current extensions of the blueprint are offered along with a rationale for including those students with extensive support…

A teacher of children with multiple handicaps and the mother of a child in the class describe changes made as they worked together to create a more open and child-centered classroom. (RH)

Parents, teachers, and paraeducators at three inclusive schools were interviewed as part of a qualitative study to investigate perceptions regarding a quality educational program for students with moderate-severe disabilities. Instead of looking at schools engaged in a systematic change process from separate to inclusive education for students…

Two surveys of personnel preparation programs in education of the hearing impaired were conducted, to determine teacher educators' opinions on the preparation of teachers to serve learning-disabled and socially/emotionally disturbed hearing-impaired students. The 98 responses indicated a need to modify existing curricula in personnel preparation…

The proceedings include seven selected papers. In one, Brewster S. Miller reports on the 1968 activities of the Medical and Scientific Department of the United Cerebral Palsy Associations. In another, James J. Gallagher anticipates the next 20 years in special education for the handicapped. Also considered are the following topics: new directions…

This monograph identifies and discusses eight goals for students with visual impairments, which are intended to be integrated with educational reform efforts called for by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Goals 2000 program, and the School to Work initiatives. The goals are: (1) students and their families will be referred to…

Special education is now an established part of public education in the United States--by law and by custom. However, it is still widely misunderstood and continues to be dogged by controversies related to such things as categorization, grouping, assessment, placement, funding, instruction, and a variety of legal issues. The purpose of this…

This introductory text on special education combines principles and values with classroom techniques, uses real people in real schools to illustrate principles and techniques, and advocates the inclusion of students with disabilities in all aspects of schooling with the provision of supplementary supports and services. Three introductory chapters…

This 22nd annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1997 (IDEA) begins with a special preface reflecting on the progress made in the 25 years since the initial passage of the law. Following the preface, Section 1 examines contextual and environmental factors such as the role of minority…