Children with autism present unique challenges related to communication, behavior, and social skills. Each child with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibits individual characteristics of the disorder. Early identification of autistic spectrum disorder has been shown to improve the child's benefit from educational interventions. There may be…

Presents a rationale for sex education for the handicapped and lists instructional concepts relating to sex education which the authors feel should be considered by those developing IEPs for handicapped students. (SJL)

On November 14, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in "Schaffer v. Weast." This special education decision concerned which party bears the burden of persuasion when parents challenge a school district's Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a due process hearing. In this article, we define burden of persuasion and…

Fifteen years after the first charter school legislation was passed, the number of charter schools opening in the United States each year continues to grow. In 2000, research was conducted to examine the extent and quality of service to students with disabilities in Texas's charter schools. Descriptive statistics and structured interviews were…

Functions of guidance groups, the guidance counselor, the Advocacy Program, and the Guidance Committee of the High School in the Community (HSC), New Haven, Connecticut, are described. HSC, designed to provide a choice of learning environments within the public school system, serves students dissatisfied with their previous school experience.…

A restructuring of the vocational education curriculum at a rural high school in a consolidated school district was made, in order to ensure student-centered learning geared to student needs, specifically for occupational preparation. Changes made included introduction of semester-length courses. To facilitate the development of individualized…

This guide is intended for use in training Head Start staff working with families to plan and implement the program's curriculum through an individualized child development and education approach. The guide focuses specifically on enhancing staff skills in carrying out the four steps in the individualizing process: screening; evaluation; planning;…

This document offers recommendations on implementation of Portland (Oregon) Public Schools Talented and Gifted (TAG) educational program in the areas of identification, instructional planning, assessment, communication, early entry, isolated gifted students, social/emotional needs, and budget. The evaluation report identifies each recommendation…

The purpose of this guide is to help educators understand and be able to respond effectively to the needs of children with Asperger Syndrome in an inclusive classroom setting. This guide is meant to orient educators to the challenges and skills of students with Asperger Syndrome and outline strategies that can be easily implemented to meet their…

The intent of this booklet is to stimulate interest in individualized education, to promote study of it, and to encourage educators to experiment with the idea in ways appropriate to their local situations. Chapter 1 analyzes the concept of individualization. The chapter includes paradigms that may be helpful for examining some of the current…

U.S. education policy acknowledges the troubling differential rates of special education identification and placement for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse by requiring states to review annually student identification data from all local education agencies to identify and address disproportionate representation. Yet, little is…

How do colleges and universities adapt programs of instruction to the changing times? In particular, do teachers receive appropriate recognition from their institutions for their leadership in these matters? The central aim of National Project III, a project of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, is to elevate the importance…

Individualized instruction is discussed as a means of making ESL instruction effective for all students. This instruction should be based on the student's past experience and present needs, information that can be gathered into a student profile. Practical suggestions for kindergarten through grade 6 include bringing the individual's home,…

The guidebook is designed to help school districts plan humanistic education programs. Humanistic education is defined as a commitment to education and practice in which the teaching/learning process emphasizes the individual's freedom, value, dignity, and integrity. Humanistic education aims to develop the learner's potentials, help students to…

Dalton Junior College, Georgia, has developed a comprehensive staff development plan for professionals in the vocational-technical division to relate student needs to professional competencies and meet certification requirements. The plan consists of a rationale or stated need and general goals, policies, and procedures. As a component of the…