Investigates the existence of an identifiable core cognitive curriculum operative in early intervention programs as revealed in the developmental inventories used to assess students and in Individual Educational Program (IEP) objectives. Discusses the substance and suitability of this curriculum for developmentally disabled preschoolers. Questions…

Discusses the three major developments in the revised Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): general-education teachers participating in individualized education programs, school flexibility in disciplining special-needs students, and emphasis on integrating special-education students into general education. (JOW)

Discusses current emphasis on individualization and meeting Head Start Program Performance Standards in this area. Assessment of individual needs, evaluation of information and planning practices comprise the individual approach to learning. Documentation in the form of personalized lesson plans provides a record of health, safety, and nutrition…

The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is the foundation of instruction for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, learning to write and attach meaning to these documents is critical for preservice teachers. This article explores an approach to teaching IEPs during teacher preparation, which encourages preservice teachers to view the IEP…

This study provides an analysis of case law concerning applied behavior analysis (ABA) for students with autism to determine outcome-related factors. The authors classified the 68 pertinent hearing/review officer and court decisions published in EHLR ("Education for Handicapped Law Report") and IDELR ("Individuals with Disabilities Education Law…

This article advocates the use of a decision-making flowchart to help understand whether the proposed test alteration(s) is an accommodation or a modification. If the proposed alteration is not listed in state guidelines, the flowchart directs the IEP team to identify (a) the purpose of the test and (b) the consequences of the scores so that the…

Section 504 of the "Rehabilitation Act of 1973" protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds. The Section 504 regulation requires a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified person with a disability who is in the school…

This document presents a seven-step process to be used in developing a standards-based Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each step is followed by guiding questions for the IEP team to consider in making data-based decisions. Two student examples are provided to illustrate application of the components of a standards-based IEP. The student…

No student should have to earn his or her way into the general education classroom, writes the author. The inclusive education model recognizes every student's right to be educated in the least restrictive environment, as provided under special education law. Yet many school districts still place students with special learning needs in separate…

This article discusses an evolving understanding of the relationship of assistive technology (AT) to student achievement. Clarifying the compensatory nature of AT and its role in creating a "floor of opportunity" for students with disabilities, the authors then emphasize the importance of AT for access to and productivity within both the life…

Although many studies have examined the alignment of state standards with large-scale assessment and instruction, fewer have attended to alignment concerning alternate assessments for students with significant disabilities. This study was designed to (1) compare expectations in one state's alternate assessment (AA) with curricular priorities…

Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandate that transition services be provided for students with disabilities who are 16 years and older. Although the current emphasis in the transition process tends to focus primarily on vocational opportunities, another important component of transition services is community…

Educators from four states participated in a pilot study to enhance and field-test an assessment guide for assisting teams in creating student-centered behavior plans. The assessment guide attempts to consciously match the multi-layered tenets of positive behavior support with the behavioral intervention and support process for maximum…

Two purposes are served by this guide: to allow school districts to examine their special education programs and related pupil personnel services, and to aid state departments of education in evaluating the nature, scope, and quality of school district offerings to handicapped students. The guide is divided into two parts: one provides forms for…

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…