This paper provides special educators with effective strategies for successfully implementing full inclusion of disabled students in general education classrooms. The starting point for inclusion is the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which develops goals and objectives and considers appropriate student placement. Frequently, IEP objectives…

This digest summarizes the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA 97) with emphasis on changes in the new law. First, it highlights principal changes in the law. These changes include participation of children and youth with disabilities in state and districtwide assessment programs; the way in which…

These guidelines are intended to help educators and other school personnel in Kentucky better manage the inclusion of students who require health services in either special or regular educational settings. The brief manual has sections which address: definitions; related Kentucky regulations; results of a statewide survey on personnel,…

Designed to assist service providers as they strive to provide a full service goal for all handicapped pupils, this manual consists of checklists for monitoring compliance with Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Checklists of components in general policy areas are: (1) policy requirements (LEAs - Local Educational…

The guidelines cover processes for placing handicapped students in private or (New York) state operated or state supported schools. Procedures are set forth regarding placements by each of three approaches: (1) contracts with private schools (in or out of state); (2) parent application for placement in state operated or state supported schools;…

Comprehensive vocational assessment needs to become an integral part of vocational programming in secondary and postsecondary schools, since it is crucial in developing appropriate individualized education plans for students with special needs. A prime focus for vocational assessment should be entrance into vocational education courses. It should…

The handbook presents policies and procedures used by the Flour Bluff (Texas) independent school district to identify and provide programs and services for handicapped children. The following areas are addressed: referral process; individual assessment; admission, review, and dismissal committee process; individual educational plan process;…

This Digest discusses provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that require functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) to be conducted prior to a change in placement or suspension for more than 10 days, based on inappropriate behaviors for students with disabilities. It presents…

Discussion of the principle of least restrictive environment (LRE) in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reviews sociopolitical, legal, and educational data. The article suggests that concerns about LRE placement have obscured the preeminent issue of free and appropriate instruction, another IDEA principle. Some principles of…

This case highlights family and educator conflict about special education placement using the case of Jerry, a student with behavior disorders. Aspiring administrators are invited to consider Jerry's needs, the desires of his family, the concerns of local and alternative school faculty, the safety of students and staff, and the provisions of the…

This report compares and contrasts special education and least restrictive environment requirements for children with disabilities in Nigeria and the United States. The implementation of special education policies in both countries is discussed, including policies in the following areas: referral and identification, nondiscriminatory assessment,…

This policy manual presents the state of Nebraska's regulations and standards for special education programs that are effective April 23, 1996. The regulations include a declaration of responsibility, provide the statutory authority, and address the following areas: (1) definitions of disabilities and other relevant terms; (2) responsibility for…

This guide for New York City parents of preschool children (ages 3 to 4) with possible disabilities is intended to provide necessary information about legal rights as well as a description of the evaluation and placement processes. Specifically addressed are the following topics: the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE); timing of…

The manual is designed to assist school districts in South Carolina in measuring and maintaining compliance with Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Using a checklist format, it is divided into sections which address the following topics: (1) local education agency (LEA) policy requirements; (2) state-operated…

The report is designed as a guideline for preservice and inservice teacher education programs and the New York local education agencies providing preschool services to handicapped children. A set of competencies was reviewed, rated and discussed by professionals in the field at two workshops and in consultation with preschool program…