Parents (n=234) and general and special education teachers (n=248) of high school students with disabilities were surveyed about their views on self-determination. Most parents believed the students should be taught skills and competencies underlying self-determination. However, more than one-third of the teachers indicated they were not familiar…

This article reviews 68 hearings and cases concerned with disputes regarding individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It concludes that IEP goals must be matched to evaluation data, team members must be qualified to develop programs, and the methodology selected must be able to assist the students in achieving…

Describes a transitional program for students who are deaf that begins in upper elementary grades and continues until they graduate from high school. Various vocational evaluation instruments used are identified by type, and examples of individualized education program goals and objectives related to transition are provided. (CR)

A study examined the effects of self-monitoring on selected social and academic behaviors of four high school students with mental retardation in inclusive classes. Occurrences of self-monitoring were associated with improvement in target behaviors. In addition, teachers and classmates perceived improved performance of target behaviors when…

In this intervention study, training was found to increase the quality and extent of participation and accommodation documentation on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) of students with disabilities in three Illinois school districts. Correlations between what was documented on the IEP and what happened on testing day were highly variable.…

Discussion of requirements of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act examines key components of the IEP, who constitutes the IEP team, roadblocks to effective use of the IEP, the top 10 common problems in IEPs, making the most of the IEP, transition planning, and…

This article summarizes findings presented in a report by the Audit Commission on the provision for children with disabilities. It discusses widespread dissatisfaction with student assessment, development of statements, resource allocation to support children with special educational needs, and procedures to ensure services are effective.…

This article reviews personality assessment of students with severe emotional disorders (SED) as mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). The EHA definition of SED, assessment strategies required by EHA guidelines, functional Individualized Education Plans, and the role of the school psychologist in the process are…

This article describes how parent representatives can effectively prepare for and conduct due process hearings as required under Public Law 94-142 when conflict resolution efforts fail. Key terms involved in the legislation are discussed, as are applications of the Attorney's Fee Act to minimize the financial burden involved in such litigation.…

Interviews with 16 teachers and parents of 9 children with motor disabilities in special instruction groups at Swedish schools suggested that parents, although generally reporting satisfaction with their children's education, had very little influence on contents and methods of their children's school activities. Intervention goals dominated over…

Explains some of the significant provisions and recent case law developments in special education for the disabled in England. (78 footnotes) (MLF)

This study investigated the effectiveness of strategy instruction designed to foster the active participation of 11 high school students with disabilities in Individualized Education Program conferences. Results indicated that strategy-instructed students identified more goals and communicated more effectively during their conferences than did the…

This article provides a framework for early childhood special educators who are developing and implementing service systems for children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Services for these children should be family centered; delivered in inclusive, community-based environments; and have health care needs…

This article maintains that educators of students with visual impairments, especially those with additional problems served in residential schools, need to give priority to habilitation, to identify habilitation needs in the individualized education program, and to implement strategies to meet these needs. (DB)

This article describes the Laptop Computer Initiative (LCI), a program in a Delaware school district to enhance referral-to-placement practices and to develop individualized education programs for special education students. The six steps in the program's development are recounted and positive results of the LCI, such as increased staff efficiency…