To address disparities in post-school outcomes for students with disabilities, federal legislation mandates appropriate education programs to include transition planning and programs for students with disabilities. Because administrators are held responsible for ensuring appropriate educational programs for all learners including those with…

Public concern over the general health of children in the United States has risen during recent years due to dramatic decreases in physical activity levels and increases in obesity and other health-related issues. This article examines the participation of students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, particularly athletic activities,…

Special education is the most highly litigated area within the field of education. Therefore, the purpose of the current article is to highlight cases (court decisions, Office of Civil Rights rulings, and State Educational Agency hearings) involving students with disabilities in 2015. Highlights from the case law point to the need for school…

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may influence school administrators' disciplinary decisions involving students with disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the investigator-developed measures adequately represent the hypothesized latent factors per the pattern of observed responses. The hypothesized…

In response to legislative mandates that schools use evidence-based instructional practices, the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center has identified evidence-based practices and predictors in the area of secondary transition for high school students with disabilities. This article provides an overview of practices and…

Specifically explains procedures and techniques necessary to be in compliance with the Individualized Educational Program of the Handicapped Children's Act. Also describes principal's role in mainstreaming handicapped students. (LD)

This decision did not clarify all of the issues involved but did state clearly that if the need arises, a student, regardless of his or her learning disability, can be suspended up to a full 10 days. (Author/IRT)

Explains why summer school is more important for the exceptional student than for the regular student and makes recommendations for a successful program. (JM)

Describes a locally developed writing program that includes a diagnostic device for pretesting and posttesting, a writing skills checklist, an individualized educational program format, a series of parent notification letters, and a remediation system involving all staff members. (Author/IRT)

To maintain "marginality" when attempting to implement PL 142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), a principal must understand the demands, goals, needs, and motivations of all concerned. Mainstreaming and other special education decisions made by principals need to be guided by situational ethics. Includes five references.…

Discusses implications of the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments for local policy and practice. Secondary principals should understand new requirements for locating and evaluating eligible students with disabilities, including disabled students in state and districtwide assessment programs, involving regular teachers in…

There are three reasons that specially designed instruction at the high-school level is improperly delivered: teachers may not understand the requirements, know how to make appropriate accommodations, or follow what has been outlined. Scheduling mismatches and failed behavior-management implementations are additional factors. Planning ahead avoids…

In passing the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, Congress tackled tough issues regarding educating students with disabilities. This article addresses four changes to IDEA and their implications for secondary principals, including suspension of handicapped students without educational services, development of…

Concerned about educational quality in the Mifflin County (Pennsylvania) School District, a committee of educators surveyed 11 other Pennsylvania districts concerning their experience with intensive scheduling in high school special-education programs. Responses were generally positive, except for concerns about special-education support services.…

Principals must understand their responsibilities for special education programs mandated under Public Law 94-142. Principals should become familiar with the student referral process and prereferral intervention programs. Because principals frequently conduct evaluation meetings and chair individualized education program meetings, they must know…