School leaders and special educators are expected to be experts on all levels and types of special education law and services, types of disability, and aspects of academic and functional programming. With the increasing demands of the job and the ever-changing legal and educational climate, many administrators and teachers are overwhelmed, and few…

As classrooms are becoming more diverse, teachers are now faced with the responsibility of creating an inclusive classroom community. As such, researching classroom pedagogies and practices is an imperative step in curriculum planning. The "Handbook of Research on Classroom Diversity and Inclusive Education Practice" is an authoritative…

Diverse learners with particular needs require a specialized curriculum that will help them develop socially and intellectually. As educational technologies and theoretical approaches to learning continue to advance, so do the opportunities for exceptional children. "Instructional Strategies in General Education and Putting the Individuals…

Four papers address approaches to evaluate the implementation of the individualized education program (IEP) provisions of P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The papers are "Auditing the IEP System: A Self-Audit System for Use by Local Education Agencies" by Beth Stephens and Daniel Macy, which examines a 10-step…

This packet, a product of the Advancing Educational Techniques (AET) Project, addresses the theme of empowerment on the part of those working with children who are differently able. The first section explores the concept of empowerment as addressed in current literature and includes an annotated bibliography. Other sections of the packet focus on:…

The text presents six chapters on the legal and governmental bases of special education. In the Introduction, F. Weintraub and J. Ballard cite the legislative and litigative history of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and briefly address information sources on such policy issues as procedural safeguards, underserved…

The reduction and prevention of mental retardation and the role of colleges in intervention are addressed in six articles. In "Current Status of Efforts in Prevention of Mental Retardation," Allen C. Crocker includes information on diseases and conditions that contribute to mental retardation. Kermit H. Diggs' article, "Tertiary…

These curriculum skills units have been developed as a guide to assist educators instructing students with disabilities. Curriculum skills outlined in the text stress strategies needed to: develop effective communication skills, understand practical math and science skills, determine acceptable social skills needed in society, identify those…

Special education is now an established part of public education in the United States--by law and by custom. However, it is still widely misunderstood and continues to be dogged by controversies related to such things as categorization, grouping, assessment, placement, funding, instruction, and a variety of legal issues. The purpose of this…