Individualized education programs (IEPs) reflect the spirit of individualized instruction that lies at the heart of special education. Quality annual goal statements, which propel the implementation of special education programming, use clear language to communicate measurable, meaningful, and standards-aligned expectations to all members of the…

The manual describes the development and implementation of a project for gifted and talented students (grades K-12) in a rural, culturally isolated area (Wells River, Vermont). Approaches to the following project components are discussed: needs assessment, project goals and objectives, implementation (including staff responsibility), activities…

Multicultural education in teacher preparation programs seeks to sensitize preservice special education teachers to individual differences attributable to culture or ethnicity. Described are the goals and objectives of a multicultural module; teaching strategies; module evaluation; resources used; and such learning techniques as fishbowl…

All mentoring programs have to make decisions about which available adult volunteer to match with which specific child or youth. The issue of same-race matching is often a particularly difficult one for these programs. In the section "The Question of Race," this technical assistance packet provides an overview of the debate over same-race and…

This publication emerged from an invitational meeting held by "Project Zero to Three" to address how best to provide effective, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive early intervention programs to all infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in an equitable way. Following an overview of the concept of culture and how that…

The paper, originally given at a 1986 Ethnic and Multicultural Symposium, attempts to provide a practical frame of reference for understanding and appreciating the similarities and differences among Asian Americans. Discussed are immigration and settlement history as well as acculturation (types of acculturation and factors influencing…

Intended for counselors, parents, and teachers, the handbook covers academic, affective, and career/life planning counseling needs at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. An introductory section addresses goals of gifted and talented education and program elements. A section is provided for each educational level with subsections…

To develop and implement diversity initiatives in the university community requires the effective implementation of initiatives in many areas. Diversity leaders should be cognizant of institutional values and attitudes and the vision espoused by the university's president. The diversity leader should inform the university community about…

A program in which 12 seventh- and eighth-grade students with learning disabilities and/or culturally diverse backgrounds participated with nondisabled peers in service learning is described. The students improved their social skills and self-esteem through community service with younger students and senior citizens. The article offers a rationale…

This paper documents the development of community mental health (CMH) in New Zealand and makes comparisons with the United States. It is argued that the present New Zealand situation bears some similarity to that existing in the United States during the 1960's. The ideology of 'community mental health' is gaining popularity among professional and…

The paper examines diversities and commonalities among Asian Americans and draws implications relative to special education service for Asian minorities. The first section focuses on diversities and complexities in this group with subsections on origin, sociocultural background prior to migration, immigration and settlement history, degree and…

This keynote address states that early intervention services must consider more than professional analyses in their planning. It describes findings from focus group discussions with Latino families of children with disabilities, emphasizing the need to match early intervention services with parent expectations and goals, and the need for services…

This abstract bibliography lists selected resources for addressing race and ethnicity issues with adolescents who have chronic illnesses and disabilities. References are dated from 1980 to 1991. First, 18 references provide general information about the issues of cultural competence and cultural diversity for health care professionals, educators,…

This monograph provides a framework for programs, states, and organizations to think about the issues in developing culturally competent programs for families of children with special needs, and offers a variety of examples from programs across the country that are providing exemplary services. The monograph is designed to help program makers…

A series of self-study questions is presented to examine policy and practice issues important in developing culturally competent programs for children with special needs and their families. Cultural competence refers to a program's ability to honor and respect the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, and behaviors both of families who are…