The research project summarized here assesses the potential for child advocacy as a strategy for improving schools--especially for poor, minority, handicapped, and female children. Research activities included 50 weeks of observation and interviewing to assess the work of eight experienced child advocacy groups. The resulting qualitative data were…

This report focuses on issues relating to the development of individualized education programs for and placement of students who are classified as having mental retardation, learning disabilities, behavioral disabilities, or serious emotional disturbances. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights examined present-day barriers and inequities that deny…

This paper presents rationale, strategies, and recommendations that the National Council on Disability believes are essential to how President George W. Bush and the new Administration can fulfill America's promise to its 54 million citizens with disabilities. President Bush is urged to install a disability friendly Administration, give disability…

This book is designed to assist testing professionals as they face the challenge of how best to assess and test people with disabilities. Chapters include: (1) "Testing Individuals with Disabilities: Reconciling Social Science and Social Policy" (Diana Pullin); (2) "The Psychometrics of Testing Individuals with Disabilities"…

This handbook provides information to occupational therapy clinicians and students with disabilities, fieldwork educators, and employers on issues of accommodation, disclosure, rights, responsibilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It begins with a discussion of the disability rights movement, and employment and people with…

Argues against the Supreme Court's overturning of lower court decisions in support of a deaf child's right to a classroom interpreter. Reproaches the majority opinion for ignoring "a clear legislative mandate" from the federal government to provide handicapped children with educational opportunities equal to those provided nonhandicapped…

Offers a critical appraisal of citizenship and governance in relation to gender, disability, and race. Argues for a broader more inclusive ethical definition of active citizenship. Identifies different ways in which citizenship is portrayed and learned through texts, schooling, family, tradition, and social behaviors. Analyzes attempts to redefine…

Authors discuss several key legal issues involving the testing and licensing of teachers to improve educational quality. Primary focus is on federal constitutional and statutory issues in testing those who belong to different racial/ethnic, gender, age, language, and disability groups. Addresses legal implications of new testing requirements in…

This document summarizes the ninth annual report of civil rights compliance activities in Michigan carried out by the Vocational-Technical Education Service (VTES), under the Michigan State Board of Education, during fiscal year 1988-89. These activities were conducted to comply with the mandates of the Vocational Education Programs Guidelines for…

This report describes fiscal year 1989 activities of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and other federal agencies in meeting the legislative mandates of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The first section of the report covers general provisions relating to the Office of the Commissioner, "American Rehabilitation" (RSA's…

Since 1981, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the United States Department of Education has been accused of failing to enforce the civil rights laws according to its mandate. OCR is responsible for enforcing Federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, handicap, or age in educational programs or activities…

This book is intended to be used as a reference for schools that seek to create drug free educational environments and to discourage all forms of substance abuse by students and personnel. The publication examines pertinent legal principles, including search and seizure, drug testing (for students, athletes, and employees), due process and…

As part of a campaign to end discrimination against mentally ill persons, this educational packet is designed to provide health educators with the material necessary to teach the facts about mental illness. The objectives of the lesson plans are for middle school students to: (1) identify the stigmatizing words associated with mental illness and…

This educational packet is designed to provide health educators with materials necessary to teach high school students about the facts concerning mental illness. The objectives of the lesson plans are to (1) identify common fears and misconceptions about people who have mental illness; (2) discuss how stereotypes about mental illness are formed;…

This guide examines the legal issues to consider in setting policy on the appropriate uses, and consequences, of student testing, and explores the controversies that have arisen in places where new polices were implemented. Chapter 1, "An Overview of Student Testing and Assessment," provides a brief overview of some of the state and…