As the country quickly builds its efforts to enhance quality in early education and care classrooms, states are implementing Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) to recognize and improve the quality of programs. QRIS also provides technical support and increased financial benefits for participating programs to attain higher levels of…

Early intervention services to young children with developmental delays in China have experienced significant growth since 1978, the beginning of the period of Reform and Opening. This article described the present situation of early intervention practices in mainland China, framed around the key components and guiding principles of Guralnick's…

The article traces the steps that St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, followed in the implementation of their Total Communication program. (Author)

A system of statewide early intervention for children with developmental delays and/or disabilities was established in Bavaria (Germany) in the 1970s. This article discusses current issues, advantages and disadvantages of proximal (homebound) and centralized (center-based) services, the call for a changing model of early intervention, and…

This practicum aimed to facilitate development and implementation of recommended practices by an early childhood special education team working with a University Affiliated Program (UAP). A site development project was being developed in response to the recognition by UAP center staff that their activities were not sufficient in helping early…

This paper reports on a multiple case study of building administrators in a suburban school district in Oklahoma which implemented a unitary system of inclusion of students with disabilities in age-appropriate regular classrooms. The study focused particularly on how administrators developed shared meanings during the change process. Data were…

This text, intended for school principals and others, provides an overview of the inclusion movement. Chapter 1, "The Context: How Far Have We Come and Where Are We Going?" (Patrick J. Schloss) provides the historical and legal context in which the concept of inclusion evolved. Key terms are defined, and the benefits of inclusion for students with…

A questionnaire survey canvassed the views of 72 New Zealand educators, in order to identify gaps or deficiencies in services and to establish priorities for development. Respondents were asked to comment on special education system strengths, growing points, desirable policy directions, and special interests. Four issues emerged as central to…

This project attempts to provide a comprehensive list of recently written, high quality journal articles relating to the subject of Native Americans and special education, handicapping conditions, social and medical issues that may contribute to handicapping conditions, and alternative teaching methods that can be used to help Native Americans in…

This booklet examines the unique difficulties of delivering education services to at-risk children and youth with exceptionalities who live in rural areas. An introductory chapter considers the extent of the problem and identifies such strategies as providing self-esteem education, appropriate preservice and inservice training,…

This guide presents a model for designing an early childhood program that educates children with and without disabilities in the same classroom setting. Its system of instruction is developmentally appropriate for preschool children and provides effective early intervention for young children with disabilities. It focuses on creating an…

This booklet introduces Project Prepare, a competency-based model for inservice or preservice personnel preparation in early childhood special education. Each of the nine Project Prepare modules focuses upon a cluster of competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes/values) needed by personnel working with young children who have disabilities.…

This manual is designed to be a practical guide for designing, implementing, and evaluating instruction and services for students with disabilities. The first section, "Leadership and Collaboration," offers a conceptual framework for program leadership, a program vision and descriptions, strategies for interagency collaboration, and…

This book tells the story of the Kids are People School in Boston, Massachusetts, which began as a day care facility, enthusiastically welcomed children with special needs, and developed a multicultural inclusive elementary school. It is the story of the school's determination to provide the therapeutic services essential for each child's…