Sense International Romania (SIR) was established in 2001 as a local branch of Sense International UK. Until 1999, little has been done for children with dual sensory loss or multiple sensory impairments. Ms. Cristiana Salomie, the director of SIR, and Dr. Cristian B. Buica describe how things have been changing since then, highlighting SIR's…

Although Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) raised public awareness of the civil rights of the handicapped, the policy problems that it was intended to solve included more than civil rights issues. In particular, the law did not provide for modifications of its policies in improving public education opportunities for…

This rejoinder to commentary on the authors' proposal (EC 605 232) for a simplified basis for determining special education program eligibility (based on local school reading achievement norms) stresses that the proposal is intended only as a first phase, to be followed by emphasis on overall program improvement. (DB)

Existing four-year teacher preparation programs for special education teachers can be improved in several ways through adjustments to the current curricular and experiential requirements. General and liberal education courses should be required and spread out over the entire undergraduate years (rather than concentrating such courses into the…

The ability of the special education student to make a smooth transition into the adult world depends upon a number of criteria, beginning with the support and assistance of family, friends, and school personnel. An appropriate curriculum for high school students with mild disabilities should accomplish the same goal as one designed for all high…

Information should be gathered on specific features of school learning environments that are effective in maximizing all students' chances for schooling success, particularly the chances of success for special students who require greater-than-usual educational support. Research and educational practice support the contention that information on…

Special education changes that must occur to ensure successful transition from school to community-based employment and living environments for all disabled youth include: programming for future environments; expanding the availability of adult services for severely disabled youth; and a 13th-year program for mildly handicapped students,…

Apprenticeship is primarily a training activity, is administered by the United States Department of Labor, and is probably the oldest systematic form of employment preparation for youth in this country. Cooperative education (CWE), on the other hand, has as its focus an education (versus "training") philosophy, is administered by the…

This paper discusses program evaluation as a condition for the receipt of federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focuses on some actual and potential linkages between effectiveness or outcome evaluation, implementation evaluation, compliance monitoring, and the concepts of program improvement and…

State and local agencies must work to provide appropriately designed vocational education programs to vocational students in order to help them become self-sufficient in living and working. In view of the employment potential of disabled people and the legal and economic reasons for facilitating their access to employment-related programs, state…

This product of the Leadership Training Institute/Vocational and Special Education contains a series of policy papers focusing on the impact of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) provision upon vocational education programming for handicapped youth. Nine papers are included: (1) Legislative Issues and Perspectives: IEPs for Handicapped…

These summarized proceedings focus on the positive aspects of knowing, living with, and loving a child or an adult with a disability and ways in which service providers and policymakers could be more responsive to special family needs. An introductory chapter defines a family and family life and outlines seven premises that shape the specification…

This collection of four policy papers on vocational assessment for the handicapped deals with personnel development, interagency coordination, current research and development, and providing individualized assessment services. Discussed in the initial paper on program improvement in vocational assessment for the handicapped are federal legislation…