This paper reviews research on best practices for preventing students with mild disabilities from dropping out of high school. Findings from the literature review indicate there is a consensus among the researchers that warning signs for school dropout among students with mild disabilities include: poor attendance, academic difficulties,…

This publication is a guide to assist librarians in taking a proactive stance to include families of children with special needs in programs and services. The focus is on families with children up to age five, and covers the basic principles underlying inclusion, family-centered service, resource-based practice, and the provision of library…

This proceedings, containing 69 paper and poster presentations, focuses on innovation and hope with a glance to the future. The conference was planned to include theoretical discussions, current research findings, and promising practices based on sound evidence. Current issues in special education include the use of technology, integrating theory…

Based on the view that increasing numbers of mothers who do not fit a narrow traditional image are often maligned, misunderstood, or ignored, this book presents the stories of a diverse group of mothers whose life circumstances place them outside the mainstream. Chapters explore the lives of mothers of exceptional children and biracial children;…

This study examined preservice teachers' responses to a survey that assessed their tolerance of difference in race, gender, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and sexual preference. It also investigated their perspectives concerning welfare recipients and non-English speaking people. During the fall 1998 semester, 117…

These instructional materials are designed to improve the performance of paraeducators working in transitional services and supported employment for teenagers and young adults with disabilities. The competency-based program helps participants to learn skills they can apply immediately, to accept new practices, and to increase their understanding…

This booklet was developed in response to input from six regional forums held in Missouri in the spring of 1996. The purpose was to solicit public perceptions about inclusive school practices in public schools for students with and without disabilities, as well as to obtain stakeholder input on how to increase and improve inclusive education in…

In this study, a performance-based assessment was used to examine the effects of preservice preparation factors on culturally responsive teaching (CRT). The measure used to assess CRT among beginning teachers was derived from Praxis III, an assessment system developed by the Educational Testing Services and infused with sensitivity to culture as…

Although in the United States there are many thousands of crippled children, probably as many as there are of deaf and blind, little attention has been given them as a class. While special provision for the deaf and blind children is made in all States and for feeble-minded and incorrigible children in most of the States, few States make any…

A survey of educational literature, of courses of study both in the public schools and teacher-training institutions, of the programs of educational conventions, of conference reports, and of special reports from many school systems leads to the conclusion that more activity has been manifested during the past two years in the study of the…

Proposed federal fiscal 1998 budget allocations are presented, including general changes in Education Department and other agency appropriations from the previous year and dollar amounts of appropriations for student assistance, graduate support, institutional assistance, aid to the disadvantaged, educational research and statistics, aid to…

This article describes the Reaching American Indian Special/Elementary Educators (RAISE) program, a community-based native teacher education program located on the Navajo reservation in Kayenta, Arizona. The preservice teacher preparation partnership program is designed for uncertified Navajo special and elementary education preservice students…

Reviews current trends in curriculum programing that facilitate the transition of adolescents with handicaps into "everyday" community settings. Traditional curriculum models and instructional strategies have proved to be ineffective; recent models and strategies appear to be more promising. (Author/BJV)

This article describes the content and design of a model program to prepare social work students to work effectively with severely mentally disturbed children and adolescents. Task analysis of skill areas (assessment, intervention, case management, and critical thinking) informed development of the suggested curriculum. The training program design…

Teachers' perceptions of incentives and deterrents for teaching special education, teachers' movements between districts over a 5-year period, and teachers' future professional goals were queried through a survey of 484 Alaska special education teachers conducted by the Alaska Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD). Retention of…