Every child is unique and learns in different ways. Some children are identified as needing special education services to support his or her learning at school. Parents can play a major role in shaping the services a child receives. This guidebook has been written for parents, guardians, and surrogate parents of a child (ages 3 to 21 or…

Because of the important role secondary special educators have in the transition to adulthood of adolescents with disabilities, it behooves educators to have an understanding of human development. The lifespan perspective on human development is particularly relevant to transition planning. Individuals with a lifespan perspective believe…

This article outlines person centered planning (PCP) methods to assist in the review and revision of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. Two methods of PCP are explained and illustrated with case studies. The article describes uses of PCP methods for IEPs and concludes by suggesting ways that PCP methods may…

The use of contract activity packages (CAPs) in writing an individualized education program for special needs students is discussed. A CAP is defined as including simply stated objectives; use of multisensory resources; creative, sequential material; provision for student developed alternatives; at least three small group techniques; and a pretest…

Investigation of the quality of programing for 35 students with severe multiple disabilities found that individualized education programs contained many age-inappropriate and nonfunctional objectives, and that students with little voluntary movement received more passive instruction than students who were more physically able. (Author/DB)

The personal value of any goal determination process increases when a goal is conceivable, believable, achievable, controllable, measurable, desirable, stated with no alternative, and growth facilitating. A guide is offered for enhancing the value of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) by elaborating upon these eight elements as crucial parts…

Effects of participatory planning on internal consistency within the special education referral, planning and placement process and the Individualized Education Programs (IEP) were investigated. A stratified representative sampling procedure was used to select 114 handicapped students enrolled in one district's special education program. Referral…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

The individualized education program (IEP) management system used with elementary educable mentally retarded students in Dubach, Louisiana, includes two types of short term objectives, six organizational components, and two basic recording forms. The system is designed to actively involve students, parents, and teachers in planning and monitoring.…

This User's Manual is intended to accompany VOC-PLAN, a computer (Apple) program designed to assist in the preparation of an Individualized Vocational Education Program (IVEP) for handicapped, disadvantaged, or regular vocational secondary and postsecondary students. The program is presented in standard IEP (Individualized Education Program)…

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…

The manual is designed to help teachers develop effective and efficient individual educational plans for severely handicapped children. Initial sections explain the four major parts of educational programing (short- and long-term objectives, an instructional plan, and a means of monitoring progress) and the importance of a problem-oriented system.…

This publication on vocational education goals and objectives is the fourth in the Self-Help series of five booklets designed for Alaska administrators and teachers to improve vocational services provided to handicapped pupils. It begins with a checklist of implications for administrators and teachers. Some reasons for goals and objectives…

This speech by an educator and parent of gifted children addresses the problem of appropriate educational services for gifted children, concluding that advocacy for these children entails pushing for acceleration, an often neglected but effective option. The paper begins with anecdotes which illustrate the unmet needs of gifted children and which…

Eleven papers address issues in the alignment of standards-based education and individualized transition planning and service development for students with disabilities including differences in assumptions and principles, the transition planning model as a framework for achieving this alignment, and educational practices resulting from this…