This technical assistance paper provides guidance to individuals with test administration responsibilities in adult education programs. These policies apply to the approved assessments that programs may use to report educational gains in compliance with the National Reporting System (NRS) requirements. The NRS is the accountability system for the…

Developing positive school climates and improving school discipline policies and practices are critical steps to raising academic achievement and supporting student success. However, there is no single formula for doing so. Rather, the growing body of research and best practices in the field should inform locally developed approaches to improving…

Respite care curriculum content, training approaches, and evaluation strategies are reviewed and evaluated. The need for social and ecological validity in both the content and process of instruction is discussed, as are key elements for training activities. Specific attention is drawn to the need for individualized training and curriculum…

The article offers practical thoughts on mediation to school systems involved in disagreements related to implementation of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The authors recommend training programs for mediators as well as for participants in mediation sessions, individualized education program meetings, placement meetings, and due…

Intended to be used as part of the existing school bus driver training program in New York State, the guide sets forth responsibilities and suggestions for transporting students with handicapping conditions. School district and BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) responsibilities for transportation are outlined. General guidelines…

The article describes a model of paraprofessional placement in special education. The process involves four steps: (1) assessing needs and skills; (2) comparing role expectations; (3) resolving differences in perceptions of teacher and paraprofessional; and (4) writing individualized job descriptions. A list of resource materials for training…

The manual describes the Focus Expanded Placement Process, an approach to implementing training programs in sheltered work centers. Trainers are offered solutions to common problems, with sections on the following topics: breaking down initial resistance to training; individualizing training; creating a learning atmosphere; making training…

This article suggests ways to develop effective substitute special education teacher programs. Suggestions are framed around the Standards for Staff Development created by the National Staff Development Council. Detailed recommendations on substitute training and support systems stress the need to address appropriate context, process, and content.…

The Project ACCESS (Adapting Curriculum Content for Exceptional Secondary Students) resource guide is designed to help regular classroom teachers provide successful experiences to mildly handicapped mainstreamed students through the adaptation of the curriculum. The concerns-based approach, which was used successfully by Project ACCESS, focuses on…

This article addresses ways that regular and special education teachers can provide training for paraeducators and delineates the roles and responsibilities appropriate for paraeducators. Training suggestions cover the interview, orientation, sharing information, meetings, and team skills. Paraeducator responsibilities require teaching students…

The manual is intended to encourage vocational rehabilitation decision makers to expand application of technical assistance (TA) to enhance Westbrook provides guidelines on planning TA, setting goals, selecting participants, developing the TA plan, determining measurable outcomes, involving the community, providing for information exchange,…

The manual considers practical issues involved in building and maintaining the effectiveness of school based support teams, interdisciplinary problem solving groups designed to respond to staff needs through crisis intervention, short or long term consultation, and continuous support. Separate sections address the following topics (sample…

The manual is intended to aid programs funded by the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) in designing and implementing staff development programs. Section I presents a working definition of staff development and outlines the preliminary steps necessary before a program is designed and administered. The section delineates the…

A seven-step procedure designed to direct and encourage inservice staff development presentations by special services personnel is described. Steps include needs assessment, analysis of logistics, development of objectives, arrangement for incentives, preparation of content/format materials, presentation, and evaluation. (Author/DB)

This report provides guidelines for Client Assistance Programs (CAPs), established to assist applicants and clients of programs and facilities funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This report developed out of a study to provide information to increase cooperative approaches of benefit to both programs and clients and to create training…