Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires early intervention teams craft individualized and effective plans to meet the needs of young children with special needs and their families (Küpper, 2012). Many early intervention teams, however, may struggle to follow a process that results in…

Analysis of 43 states' practices in involving parents in monitoring the appropriateness of educational services (as suggested in the regulations for P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), revealed that parents have little direct involvement in the monitoring process. Training can help parents assume a larger role. (CL)

The report presents findings of a parent-organized and parent-conducted evaluation of special education services in Montclair, New Jersey. Parents visited classrooms (resource rooms and self-contained classes) and interviewed staff. Findings and recommendations address the following topics: identification of children (classification by school and…

A preschool program for 14 handicapped children in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, is described and evaluation findings reported. Program objectives are listed for instructional, parent-family, staff development, and demonstration and dissemination components. Among findings were that mentally retarded children showed greater than anticipated…

The article offers eight questions for parents to consider in evaluating and developing a disabled child's recreation program. (DB)

The report describes the model and evaluation results of a project serving birth to 3-year-old developmentally delayed/handicapped children through a parent training approach. The transdisciplinary program featured center and home visits to train parents in all activities of assessment, planning, and intervention activities. Parents were to become…

A planned search/selection process can help locate the best possible learning situation for a child needing early intervention services. Parents are offered a detailed checklist for evaluating programs, and are encouraged to consider goals for the coming years, to make site visits to potential programs, and to ask questions. (JDD)

The paper discusses the rationale and guidelines for parent involvement in HCEEP (Handicapped Children's Early Education Program) projects. Ways of assessing parents' needs are reviewed, as are four types of services to meet the identified needs: parent education, direct participation, parent counseling, and parent provided programs. Materials and…

The Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI) reviewed extensive data reported by early intervention projects. Among surprising findings were that half-day programs produced as many gains as full-day programs, and programs which expected parent involvement were not more effective than those which did not. Current EIRI research efforts are…

This article examines inclusion and provides questions that parents can ask themselves when determining if inclusion is appropriate for their child. Guidelines are also provided to assist parents in determining the appropriateness of inclusion, evaluating the support that inclusion programs receive, and determining the provision of accommodations.…

An integrated home/school program model for training parents of young handicapped children was evaluated by 26 participating mothers. Parents reported a high level of satisfaction with each of the components of the program, which included videotaped practice teaching sessions by the parent and coordination of home and school efforts. (CL)

The report describes the achievements of a project designed to promote vocational and career development of bilingual handicapped students in inner city high schools through training their parents to be both career educators and advocates for improved services and opportunities. The program used co-trainers who were bilingual/bicultural to conduct…

Questionnaires were completed by superintendents and special education teachers on the delivery of services to special education children of military dependents in a state with several military installations. Questionnaires addressed such issues as availability of services, program evaluation, knowledgability of military families regarding federal…

The final report discusses achievements of a 3 year project to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating young handicapped children into existing early childhood programs. The project is conceptualized from a socioecological model, operationalized as a technical assistance support system, and located within an interdisciplinary…

Parents considering placing a disabled child in a residential facility should evaluate and choose a school by visiting at both "peak" and "off-peak" hours to learn about the physical surroundings, structured activities, the child-care staff, the teaching staff, the administration, and treatment plans. (CB)