This paper begins with examining the origins of Individual Educational Plans, before taking a critical approach to the concept, to highlight the shortcomings and flaws that can now be found with the concept. The call is made to move toward Personalised Planning models, which will have a greater impact on pupil outcomes, before reporting on how the…

Over the past three decades, transition practices research has demonstrated that post-school outcomes of students with disabilities improve when educators, families, students, and community members and organizations work together to implement a broad perspective of transition planning, more appropriately referred to as transition-focused…

Often the consideration of assistive technology devices and services during the individualized education program (IEP) process is overlooked. Because the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorized this consideration, IEP team members must be keenly aware of the importance they hold in providing this valuable input. Thus, IEP…

A person-environment fit conceptualization of intellectual disability (ID) requires educators to focus on the gap between a student's competencies and the demands of activities and settings in schools. In this article the implications of the person-environment fit conceptual model are considered in regard to instructional benefits, special…

Nationally, the shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the schools is growing. As such, it is important to understand factors related to the retention of SLPs in this setting. This study expanded on previous research by examining a wider range of factors that may be related to the retention of SLPs including caseload size, workload…

Describes a model, based on the "levels of use" concept, for evaluating individualized education program (IEP) implementation under Public Law 94-142. The model includes three levels: awareness, implementation mechanics, and "evolution" or realization of goals. The model is applied to 30 IEPs in a Florida school district. (RW)

In using the framework, the two main administrative problems encountered are reporting the evaluation to the decision makers and the feasibility of conducting an IEP evaluation. (Author/PHR)

Describes a decision analytic approach for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in planning special service programs. Presents evaluation information on its application by MDTs in planning individualized education programs, and outlines a six-step process. Suggests utilization of approach allows a complex program planning situation to be disaggregated…

The report presents recommendations of a commission for improving special education in New York City. The commission conducted interviews with over 300 persons, held 2 days of public hearings, and reviewed documents, publications, and laws and documents in New York and eight other states. Recommendations are offered for four major topic areas: (1)…

Lists technology available in the categories of sensory enhancers, keyboard adaptations and emulators, environmental controls and manipulators, instructional uses of technology, and motivational devices. Shows how to apply technological considerations to the traditional assessment concerns of health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status,…

A systematic approach to curriculum development for students with severe disabilities enrolled in extended school year programs is described. The approach is community driven, consistent with student Individualized Education Program objectives, tailored to the individual student, and teaches functional skills performed by individuals without…

This paper proposes a set of procedures for self-evaluation by practicing school psychologists and includes specific directions for development and improvement of their functioning. The evaluability assessment, a preparation for self-evaluation, is explained and suggested as a starting point. Included is a table which outlines the evaluability…

The Families Involved in Schools and Community (FISC) Project was a federally funded project to develop and demonstrate the use of a model Individualized Family Service Plan process for young children with challenging needs and their families. The model emphasizes an individualized family systems perspective, informal nonintrusive assessment and…

The Individual Education Plan (IEP) has been adopted in New Zealand both as a method of planning instruction and as a method of obtaining additional, discretionary resources for students with special needs. This study investigated the IEP process for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in New Zealand schools. A random sample of 36…

This paper reports on the development of a set of four family outcomes concerned with the measurement of child growth and development as part of a 5-year project by the Early Childhood Research Institute on Measuring Growth and Development to develop a comprehensive assessment model for young children, birth to age 8, with disabilities. It first…