The Census 2000 Brief (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2004b) indicates that English is not the heritage language of approximately one in five Americans, and the number of limited English proficient (LEP) students, also known as English language learners (ELLs), grew about 50 percent in the last decade. It is estimated that nearly 400,000 ELL…

Recent amendments to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provide school officials with increased flexibility to address infractions committed by handicapped students. If a conduct code pertaining to all students has been violated, a district may suspend or place a disabled student in an alternative setting for up to 10 days. (MLH)

Under provisions of the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments, school officials may change a disruptive student's placement before the situation escalates and requires disciplinary measures. IDEA's purpose is to address students' disabilities, including those causing them to misbehave. Also, disabled students may be suspended…

Recognizes the benefits of mediation for easing special education conflicts, but addresses the inconsistencies and ambiguities created by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Recommends that state and local education agencies use mediators certified in sophisticated mediation techniques, schooled in…

Reviews the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act relating to short-term and long-term suspension. New protections for students with disabilities and the new tools for administrators to be used in addressing behaviors are discussed, including placement of students with disabilities in interim alternative-educational…

Telephone interviews with 74 Ohio special education directors examined implementation of the Interim Alternative Educational Setting (IAES) requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA 97). Most directors reported that no students had been removed to an IAES since IDEA 97 implementation. Home…

Discusses issues related to implementing the new discipline provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Litigation that led to the new provisions is described, along with issues relating to conducting functional assessments, making a manifestation determination, generating interim placements, and cessation of…

The relationships among the program, placement, and services for a student with disabilities when planning an appropriate education is discussed. A conceptualization of how these components can be approached in an interactive manner, rather than a strictly linear one, is offered within a framework consistent with the law. (Contains references.)…

Discretion and regulatory flexibility must be managed without violating the amended, reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Misbehaving disabled students may be removed from their educational placements for 10 consecutive days or less--the same punishment meted out to regular students. Longer-term placements need IEP team…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires the IEP team to identify ameliorative resources and/or disciplinary measures for disruptive students. A BIP (behavior intervention plan) provides appropriate behavioral programming and related social and psychological services. IDEA does not prohibit principals from reporting crimes to…

Explores the concept of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments and examines how its recently released federal regulations direct the statute's implementation. The goal is to clarify the direction of the new regulations, and to examine their prospects for supporting the provision…

Provides an overview of some of the key provisions in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 and its accompanying regulations. Discusses changes in provisions affecting student placement in the least restrictive environment, the Individualized Education Program including transitional services, funding, reevaluations, and…

This article discusses placement and educational approaches for students with hearing impairments including what the law provides, what students need, what conflicts exist, and implications for practice. The major principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997 amendments) are summarized. A continuum of placement options is…

This article analyzes provisions of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, specifically regulations and relevant case law concerning provision of services to students in private schools. It offers guidelines for implementing the new provisions and suggestions for how to avoid violating the establishment clause in…

A question-and-answer format is used to summarize requirements concerning suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Questions address definitions, due process rights, suspension and expulsion as a "change of placement," the Interim Alternative…