The research evaluation project attempted to assess the effectiveness of new state (Kansas) guidelines for determining eligibility and placement of students in the areas of learning disabilities (LD), behavioral disorders (BD), and speech/language; and to assess the effectiveness of preassessment instructional programming options and screening…

The project investigated differences in perceptions and attributions for successful and unsuccessful IEP (individualized education program) conferences between 85 mothers of mentally retarded and emotionally or behaviorally disabled children (5-15 years old) and 81 special education teachers. Trained parents (those who received information about…

The paper examines the role of alternative schools in the field of special education, with particular attention given to the education of behaviorally disordered or seriously emotionally disturbed children. The paper begins with information on the history of alternative schools for this population and continues with a discussion of identification,…

The article explores the paradoxical relationship between normalization ideology and behavior analysis as reflected in techniques used in the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in mentally retarded individuals. Ideology should be evaluated carefully for its effects on science policy to prevent undesirable limits on research and treatment.…

Illinois special educators' (N=75) rankings of prevalence of crime victimization and delinquency among educable mentally retarded, behaviorally disordered, and learning-disabled students matched rankings seen in state crime report records. Behaviorally disordered students were more often victims and perpetuators of violent crime than were the…

Eight classroom communication techniques were ranked by 156 teachers of behavior disordered students who taught in self-contained or alternative settings, and who had either received or lacked formal communication training. Among results were that exclamatory verbal reinforcement was ranked most effective, and "I" messages least effective, by all…

Presents a model of deviant behavior at three levels: the community, the social network, and the individual. Also presents results of a study, conducted in Finland, of regional differences in deviant adolescent behavior. Reports that although the model proved incompatible with part of the empirical material, it was on the whole viable. (KH)

Teacher-completed Behavior Problem Checklists for students (elementary/secondary) identified as educable mentally retarded, behaviorally disordered, or learning disabled, or not identified as handicapped showed that, as expected, behaviorally disordered students generally displayed more adjustment problems than the other groups, although for…

This monograph, one of a series on youth with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, focuses on best practices for reducing delinquency and preventing recidivism. This essay notes that, because of the connection between disability and delinquency, it is likely that a significant portion of court-involved, disabled youth can be expected to…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of a 3-year federally supported project to develop, implement, and evaluate a model for training paraprofessionals to support students with disabilities in general education classrooms and those who direct and supervise their work. Training materials were developed with a high degree of…

This manual presents an online course about peer coaching derived from the Interactive Peer Coaching/Mentoring (IPCM) Project, a program designed to prepare teachers of students with severe behavioral disorders residing in a rural, remote area in North Dakota. The IPCM project was conducted from July 1997 through July 2000 and developed an…

Review of the current knowledge concerning youth violence and gang behavior considers risk factors for violence and gang formation, functions served by violence and gang membership, and strategies that have been empirically validated to be either beneficial or ineffective. Following an introductory chapter, the first chapter looks at the nature of…

This factsheet discusses the goals and principles that govern the development of culturally competent mental health programs for children and adolescents and their families. Principles include: (1) the family is the consumer and usually the focus of treatment and services; (2) Americans with diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds may have a unique set…

This digest describes how teachers can use cognitive-behavioral interventions (CBI) to remediate behavioral deficits and excesses by providing students with the tools necessary to control their own behavior. CBIs involve teaching the use of inner speech ("self-talk" )to modify underlying cognitions that affect overt behavior. CBI…

In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 special education teachers who work with aggressive students to better understand their work experiences and career decisions. Analysis of textual information supported two interrelated themes: (1) the unpredictability of aggression; and (2) the role of student teacher relationships as important to…