Educators today are challenged with the task of designing curricula and standards for students of varying abilities. While technology and innovation steadily improve classroom learning, teachers and administrators continue to struggle in developing the best methodologies and practices for students with disabilities. "Models for Effective…

This discussion reviews the literature regarding consultation as a form of indirect service delivery in early intervention for children with disabilities, identifies barriers to effective consultation practice, and concludes that consultation can allow children with disabilities to receive intervention services in integrated settings if…

The paper presents an alternative service delivery model for special education. Problems with the current delivery model include tests, labeling, overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities, and lack of generalization from the resource setting to the regular classroom. The alternative model would allow more students to be served without…

The role of artificial intelligence expert systems in administrative issues in special education is examined. Mandate Consultant (MC) is one such system designed to provide a second opinion on the consistency of school officials' actions in implementing the Individualized Education Program team process. MC employs rules based on the Education For…

This guidebook was developed for early childhood administrators and consultants who provide services to support the integration of children with disabilities into preschool classrooms. It provides practical information on finding and hiring the best consultants, unraveling the special education and third-party payor resources that support…

The article examines the consultation model in special education including such aspects as definition, its potential for development of improved problem-solving skills, the regular educator as recipient, the special educator as consultant, collaborative consultation, and cost effectiveness. (DB)

The report describes the first 3 years of the Homecoming Project, which was designed to return disabled students in regional special education programs to regular classes in 26 local Vermont schools. Fifty-eight such students (of whom 45% were moderately or severely handicapped) were transitioned into regular classes and 19 other students at risk…

The article discusses how the collaborative relationships of classroom, remedial, and special education teachers might be improved to develop specialized reading programs for low achieving and handicapped students. A decision-making framework based on levels of intensity of instruction is offered for the stages of the consultative process.…

This paper urges increased educator and community agency collaboration in preventing failure among students with special needs, including students with disabilities. A chart compares networking, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration and distinguishes among them in terms of types of interaction, examples, impact on students, and impact on…

A shortage of occupational therapists as well as fiscal constraints have made it difficult to meet the legal mandate under Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) that occupational therapy be provided as a related service to handicapped children when needed to enable them to benefit from special education programs. A review…

This manual provides guidance on using the consultation method to help meet the needs of families of children with disabilities in integrated community-based day care settings. The introductory section provides an overview, a statement of philosophy, the history of the day care consultation program in Illinois, and instructions for using the…

A trend toward increased use of interdistrict collaboratives to provide special education and related services has been noted over the past 2 decades, as school districts, particularly rural districts, face more complex educational demands. A survey of 50 state directors of special education found that 36 states have some form of state-governed…

This document reviews information and research findings regarding various options to facilitate the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Principles of inclusive schools introduce the document. Three categories of strategies and interventions for working with students with disabilities are included: (1) program strategies, (2) classroom…

This guide provides information on personnel policies and practices, under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which were instituted by states and jurisdictions in the implementation of early intervention services for eligible children and their families. Strategies of specific states are identified for dealing with staff…