Many students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have specialized interests and passions that are highly reinforcing. Such special interest areas (SIAs) are more than mere hobbies or simple curiosities. Rather, the SIAs of an individual with autism may be characterized by (a) significant depth and breadth of knowledge about the area, (b)…

The overall goal of the Building State Capacity Summit series was to enhance successful outcomes for students leaving high school, whether it is matriculation in a postsecondary education or training program, or employment. Young adults who are deaf or hard or hearing face barriers that inhibit these successful outcomes. One way to mitigate these…

Program evaluation is a tri-level process: evaluation of the learners, of the program against its own objectives, and as compared against a criterion program. Evaluation of innovative programs is primarily an issue of definition, and they should be judged in terms of the needs they were designed to satisfy. (Author/CTM)

The M-5 Project is a sequential physical education program for children in the primary grades and intermediate grades. It embodies the main concepts of the movement education approach. Activities are individualized, based on needs identified by results of physical fitness tests, that are carried out in 30-minute daily sessions at a series of six…

This monograph presents identified best practices in the development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) as required for families who have young children with disabilities, by Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (1986). Chapter One presents an overview of the monograph's development and use. Chapter Two…

This resource package contains an administrator's manual and nine instructor guides designed to assist local education agency personnel in the development of functional and systematic procedures for identifying and assessing the needs of special students enrolled in vocational education programs. The administrator's manual provides a description…

Outlined is a state plan to individualize the education of the gifted and talented students in the public schools through acceleration, enrichment, or a combination of both. Sections cover the following programs components: needs assessment, definition of gifted and talented children and youth, the Hawaii Department of Education position…

This report presents findings of a Minnesota study group which reviewed the costs and structures under which developmental disabilities services are provided. The group conducted a series of town meetings throughout the state and concluded with a toll-free call-in day. Six themes emerged from the meetings: (1) "We have a lot to be proud of…

Summaries of studies or experiments dealing with some aspect of independent study are compiled in this report. The papers include: (1) "The Future of Self-Directed Study," by Howard E. Gruber; (2) "Freshman Seminars at Harvard," by Eric W. Shaw; (3) "Independent Study in Honors Programs," by Philip I. Mitterling; (4)…

Using a collaborative approach in three York County (Maine) school districts, representatives from special education and vocational rehabilitation implemented a model program of transition services for specific learning-disabled (SLD) individuals, aged 16 to 22 years old. The experimental group consisted of 32 SLD individuals and the control group…

This report presents a brief summary of the full report of an evaluation of California schools receiving funds from three state and federal school funding programs in 1974-75. The evaluation was conducted by the California State Department of Education. Evaluated schools were funded through: (1) the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, which…

The evaluation of the Iditarod Area School District small high schools program provided useful information for future program development. The 1978 program for 87 students in 9 scattered schools included: student travel within Alaska and in the lower 48 states; student travel within the district for mini-courses and a student congress; and the…

This report presents findings of a special team to review special education policy, its implementation, accountability, and program effectiveness in British Columbia. The team identified a set of issues to address including: inclusion/integration, parental involvement, assessment, Individual Education Plans, evaluation, transitions, employees who…

This Texas state plan presents proposals for provision of services to people with autism. It is noted that less than 25 percent of the estimated 8,500 persons with autism in Texas are currently receiving services. Preliminary sections look at the nature of autism, the numbers of Texans with autism, the responsibilities of the Interagency Council…

A participant's manual for the training of special education teachers in the development of individualized educational plans (IEPs) for special needs students is presented. The materials are provided in the form of five modules which can be used together or independently. The objectives of each of the modules is that the participant will be able…