A questionnaire completed by school psychologists indicated ethical and legal dilemmas involved in evaluation, decision making, and placement of students under P.L. 94-142. These conflicts arose from budgetary restraints and professional disagreements. The dilemmas are discussed and possible preventive measures are suggested. (DWH)

The author reviews results of eight research papers with conflicting data on effectiveness of special versus regular class placement for educable mentally retarded children, expresses need for more research, and emphasizes use of the individualized education plan to determine the most appropriate setting for a child. (MC)

States and other educational entities receiving Part B funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) submitted their Annual Performance Reports to the U.S. Secretary of Education on or before March 31, 2004. These reports contained information on a variety of indicators, including assessment participation and performance…

This report contains the results of the self-assessment and the validation of the self-assessment by Special Education Programs. The report addresses six principles: (1) General Supervision; (2) Free Appropriate Public Education; (3) Appropriate Evaluation; (4) Procedural Safeguards; (5) Individualized Education Program; and (6) Least Restrictive…

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Vermont Department of Education's Special Education Regulations, parents have specific rights concerning their participation in the special education process. The purpose of this booklet is to inform parents of those rights and to provide them with a list of resources to…

This guide is intended to help educators develop and meet Individual Education Program (IEP) social competence goals for elementary and middle school students. These goals and objectives center on the areas of cooperation, organization, responsibility, and empathy. For each area, the guide provides: (1) examples of strategies and methods for…

This digest paper examines the special roles of parents of children with disabilities in planning for the education of their children and discusses how educators can work effectively with parents to create meaningful individualized education programs (IEPs). Barriers to parental participation in the IEP process are identified, including…

This booklet for Wisconsin parents of children with disabilities discusses the processes and functions of special education. It describes steps in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process, including: referring a child for special education; evaluating the child; deciding what services are needed and writing the IEP; deciding where…

This document presents the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Students with Severe Disabilities, a subset of the general standards and alternate progress indicators that emphasize daily life skills. Introductory material reviews the development of these standards and the alternate progress indicators including the purpose, process,…

The United States Congress amended the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 to reflect changes in the special education field over the previous twenty years. In this 2-hour videotape recording designed for teachers, administrators, parents, and others, Dr. Barbara Bateman presents her insights about changes in IDEA law and…

This handbook for Missouri parents of young children with disabilities provides information on obtaining special education services from a local school district. A step-by-step guide for transitioning into preschool is provided. The steps include: (1) referral of the child to their local school; (2) holding a transition conference; (3) arranging…

This document presents an analysis of the New Mexico program of providing extended school year services to students with disabilities in need of such services. Individual sections provide the following information: the philosophy of extended school services in New Mexico; authority under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; purpose of…

Beginning on the front cover, the superintendents of schools in four urban areas describe successful programs in their districts. They explain why individualized instruction improved reading achievement in Detroit (Michigan), while it was phased out in Red Bank (New Jersey); why Milwaukee's (Wisconsin) school organization is unique; and how…

A framework for vocational assessment that matches handicapped students, curriculum, and training environment is described. The assessment approach is described in regard to screening, educational placement, evaluation of student achievement prior to placement in the curriculum, and assessment of individual progress, and program evaluation. (SEW)

A format for writing an individualized education program is described, along with results of a budgeting skills program designed for a mildly retarded young adult attending a sheltered workshop. The format requires explicit statements in such areas as the prerequisite skills necessary for participation in the program. (Author/SW)