Even though paid advocates exist in the field of special education, teacher advocates are important because their work is based on passion and a belief that change is warranted due to their own needs and experiences with students, not merely on the basis that they are being paid to advocate. Education policy in recent years has become more…

When education initiatives set out to help those who have been "historically disadvantaged or historically marginalized," they perfectly describe students with disabilities. Yet too often, these students have been excluded from conversations about equity in education. Congress opened public school doors for millions of children with…

This book presents an in-depth discussion of how human disability and parental advocacy have been constructed in American society, including recommendations for a more authentically inclusive vision of parental advocacy. The authors provide a cultural-historical view of the conflation of racism, classism, and ableism that has left a deeply…

Since the initiation of PL 94-142 enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, special education has been mandated, funded and regulated by the federal government. There have been both benefits and drawbacks to this initiative. In positive terms and most importantly, children who require different educational services are identified, and…

Education experts and political leaders frequently agree that in spite of many changes, American schools continue to remain in need of reforms that will expand the circle of opportunity for all children. Few such leaders, however, recognize young people themselves as a critical leadership constituency in effecting the needed reforms. Special…

In this article, the authors present a call to advocacy for an underserved population. Twice-exceptional students are an important sub-population that has historically been neglected. We examine the historical context of twice-exceptionality and evaluate the relevance of current ethical codes with regard to these students. We also review some of…

This article reviews personality assessment of students with severe emotional disorders (SED) as mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). The EHA definition of SED, assessment strategies required by EHA guidelines, functional Individualized Education Plans, and the role of the school psychologist in the process are…

This article discusses applications of education legislation for drug-addicted children, including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which recognizes smoking and drug addiction as handicapping conditions. Suggested guidelines for parents seeking school support services under these laws…

At least 10% of students in private Christian schools are considered students with special needs. Private Christian schools vary in the degree to which they educate these students and in the approaches that they take toward educating them. This study examines whether or not private Christian Schools are allowing students with special needs access…

A resource manual for the allied health professional who works with disabled children and youth is presented. Each of the manual's six units states objectives for the allied health student and provides resource materials and publications, and a bibliography. Unit 1 on Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), also…

Recognizing the changing role of parents of handicapped children in the educational planning process, the advocacy roles and responsibilities for parent involvement are identified and discussed in light of their implications for school psychologists. Materials available to assist in the training of parents are presented. (Author/RL)

This document defines the role and responsibilities of Missouri's vocational special needs counselors as they work with special needs students in vocational programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels and offers advice on how they can fulfill their role and responsibilities. Following the introduction is the questionnaire used in a survey…

This final report documents accomplishments of a project which aimed to: (1) provide inservice training to community college faculty in appropriate teaching strategies and accommodations for students with learning disabilities; and (2) disseminate previously developed sets of video vignettes and viewing guides. It includes summaries of…

This booklet is designated to help parents in California find training, jobs, and services for their learning disabled children. Information is presented on how to represent their children's vocational education and job training needs and prepare them for vocational opportunities. An introductory chapter outlines the importance of working, the…