Manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) are a federally mandated procedure designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities. This study sought to examine practices and perceptions of the MDR process as held by school psychologists. One hundred thirty-six practicing school psychologists responded to a nationwide survey posted on…

Manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) are a federally mandated practice that prevents schools from suspending students with disabilities for more than 10 days before determining if the student's disability is significantly and directly related to the problem behavior. The process is a controversial one, and prior research has shown that the…

This document presents Alaska State guidelines for including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient in statewide assessments. An overview section explains that Alaska has developed a two-tiered Comprehensive System of Student Assessments comprised of regular assessments (criterion referenced tests at grades 3,…

This examination of the interim alternative educational setting for the school discipline of students with disabilities focuses on the legal requirements and their application under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as amended in 1997. Following an introductory background chapter, the concept of interim alternative educational…

This report of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources favorably recommends the passage of amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to reauthorize and improve the act. Specific recommended improvements include: (1) decreasing paperwork, (2) providing increased flexibility and lower costs in the delivery of services,…

This document is intended to assist states in implementing the mediation requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended in 1997. These provisions include parent participation in collaborative decision-making and the right of parents to challenge decisions about their child's education program. Increased use of…

This manual is intended to guide school administrators, teachers, school psychologists, and others with the design and implementation of interim alternative education settings (IAES) in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 1997. Chapter 1 discusses how the IAES evolved as a means of balancing the…

This digest summarizes the rights and responsibilities of parents of children in the special education process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997. Among 15 rights listed are a free appropriate public education for every child, informed consent concerning evaluation and programmatic decisions, evaluation…

This digest describes the process of designing quality individualized education program (IEP) transition plans for secondary students with disabilities as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 1997. It stresses the importance of taking an early, long-range approach, preferably beginning at age 14 or…

This guide for parents explains the changes in the federal special education law resulting from the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changes related to the parent's role in decisions about the child's education and in how schools can discipline special education students are highlighted. A…

These guidelines were developed to address training and planning needs for North Dakota educators in the area of assistive technology for students with disabilities. The guidelines provide recommended practices to assist teams in making decisions about an individual student's need for assistive technology using a decision-making process that meets…

This guide for parents, in Spanish, explains the changes in the federal special education law resulting from the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changes related to the parent's role in decisions about the child's education and in how schools can discipline special education students are highlighted. A…

This digest summarizes the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA 97) with emphasis on changes in the new law. First, it highlights principal changes in the law. These changes include participation of children and youth with disabilities in state and districtwide assessment programs; the way in which…

This digest summarizes the rights and responsibilities of parents of children in the special education process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997. Among 12 rights listed are a free appropriate public education for every child, written notification for any proposed evaluations, re-evaluation or change in…

This Illinois state memorandum to school district superintendents provides clarification of policies regarding discipline of students with disabilities, specifically the issue of multiple suspensions, which may in the aggregate total more than 10 school days per school year, and the amount of services required during disciplinary exclusions. The…