Intended for parents of handicapped students, the guide (available in English, Spanish, or Chinese) sets forth the New York State policies for speical education. The following topics are among those considered: eligibility for special education, program types, alternative placements (such as residential settings), referral, evaluation,…

The two documents contain the final report and executive summary of a 2 year study on the impact of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) on nine Michigan handicapped children (5 to 10 years old) who had participated in an integrated preschool. Section I of the final report presents introductory information with an overview…

Data collected from 19 state education agencies through questionnaires and interviews focused on special problems and approaches in rural areas for complying with four major aspects of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act: individualized education programs (IEPs), least restrictive environment (LRE), procedural safeguards,…

The fourth in a series from a study of least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for handicapped students identifies exemplary practices useful in arriving at LRE placements. Analysis of state documents and observations of 134 placement team meetings held in five states were carried out. Noteworthy approaches are summarized for five…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process focusing on parent participation in the process of developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process including what is involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

This paper discusses provisions in the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 that relate to eligibility of students with disabilities, required services, and termination of special education services for students with disabilities who are between ages 18 and 21. It reviews regulations that clarify: (1) when the right to…

This Spanish language guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process, especially parent participation developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process, including what's involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

This bulletin on the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reviews ten provisions of the Act that support inclusive education, including: (1) language in the "Findings" section of the law that states the education of students with disabilities can be made more effective by having high expectations…

This document provides a comprehensive list of best practices associated with effective and efficient programs for students with various disabilities: social/behavioral, sensory, physical, and cognitive and/or communicative. It is intended to assist in the design and implementation of least intrusive, chronologically age-appropriate, gender and…

The rationale behind Public Law 94-142, which pertains to education of handicapped children, is presented. Key terms such as mainstreaming, least restrictive environment, zero reject, most appropriate placement, and individualized education are discussed to clarify their significance for educators. (PP)

Full inclusion is a confusing topic. Many people misunderstand the "least restrictive environment" provision of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Districts need not educate every disabled child in a regular classroom for the entire day, but have numerous options, so long as each child is carefully evaluated. Recent…

The experience of one handicapped boy and his family at a Concord (New Hampshire) elementary school that practices inclusive education highlights obstacles the parents met with regard to placing their son at the local school, early successes, social and academic progress for the student, and changing attitudes. (JB)

Questionnaires completed by families and teachers of 1,009 students with severe disabilities were analyzed in terms of 4 conceptual models of integrated student placement: a programs/facilities model, a socioeconomic model, an advocacy model, and a combined model. Teacher advocacy and Individualized Education Program characteristics were most…

Presents a collaborative, problem-solving approach for including students with disabilities in general-education classes. Parents' views of inclusion, implementation of inclusion, empirical support for inclusion, strategies and tactics related to successful inclusion, types of inclusion problems, and steps for applying collaborative…

Background: Although a large number of children in foster care in the United States are receiving special education services, little is known about their educational experiences. Method: This exploratory study used focus group research to look more closely at the complexity of the problems and needs that this population experiences with the…