The field of special education, and specifically the area of intellectual disabilities, has undergone dramatic changes in terminology, evaluation practices, service delivery models, expectations for learning, career development, and independent living opportunities. "Guidelines: Intellectual Disabilities in Educational Settings" is…

Assessment and evaluation activities are an integral part of early intervention services. These activities culminate in written evaluation reports that include information such as observations of skills and deficits, diagnosis, and recommendations for intervention. However, few guidelines exist to help guide early intervention providers in writing…

Available resources and indicators of high quality inclusive practices are presented in this compilation. Assembling many different resources in one place allows for easy comparison of potential indicators of quality. Excerpts and adaptations of the resources are intended to provide some familiarity with the content of each resource and encourage…

The paper explores data interpretation in observational recording by examining and illustrating techniques for visually inspecting graphically displayed data. These procedures may assist the educator in determining the impact of intervention procedures on learner performance. (Author/CL)

The manual is designed to provide an individualized, competency-based approach to training professionals who work with special needs children. The manual is organized according to three units, each with stated purpose, objectives, and learning experiences and activities. Following a pretest of general knowledge and skills, unit I addresses the…

An observation framework is presented to help teachers prepare the learning environment for mainstreamed handicapped secondary students. The checklist addresses aspects of instructional materials and support personnel, subject matter presentation, learner response variables, student evaluation, classroom management, social interactions, and…

The use of social skills measures as a component of multifactored assessment in making mainstreamed placement decisions is recommended. It is suggested that social skills information may be more important in making a decision to mainstream than IQ or achievement. (Author)

This paper presents Professional Practical Knowledge research as a method for studying the observable action and invisible knowledge of early intervention service providers. The research provides practitioners with a special window through which intervention practices can be seen from a fresh perspective. The paper addresses the method's…

Six steps in the ecological assessment model are described, from setting goals to developing a learning plan, and factors such as the physical milieu and classroom patterns are considered. Methods and sources of ecological assessment data are reviewed. (CL)

Observation of teacher and student behaviors in four areas (teacher cognitive, teacher management, student on-task and student off-task) revealed that teachers spent 48 percent of total classroom time in cognitive activities. (Author/CL)

Participant observation was used to examine the social-communicative interactions of six preschool students with mild to severe handicaps, during free play and semistructured activities. Results revealed that each child displayed a consistent set of initiations; each child used augmentative strategies to continue interactions; and initiation…

This paper recommends the replacement of student evaluation methods based on the behaviorist model with holistic assessment based on principles of seeing individuals as active learners who interact with their physical and social environment. Four approaches are recommended: (1) gathering information from a variety of sources and contexts; (2) a…

The article defines and describes coping and stress, their relationship to learning, and how they are assessed for educational planning for preschool handicapped children. The Coping Inventory, an observation assessment instrument, is used to show how the teaching and learning of coping behavior can be part of each child's educational plan.…

An observational technique for assessing the social interaction skills of elementary age students with disabilities is described. The procedure focuses on three interaction elements: (1) initiating the interaction, (2) turn taking, and (3) responding to the interaction. The method of data recording and analysis is delineated. (DB)

Classroom variables associated with academic learning time (ALT)--instructional time, on-task behavior, and student success rate--are positively related to student achievement. Guidelines and forms are provided for teachers and supervisors to gather objective and usable information on these ALT components through direct classroom observation…