The purpose of this article is to respond to the perspectives of Agran and colleagues concerning barriers to general education placement for students with significant support needs from an "on the ground" lens of participation in mediations and due process hearings, as well as conversations with parental inclusion advocates throughout…

The purposes of "Guidelines for Serving Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Educational Settings" are to: (1) Update previous guidance on serving students with specific learning disabilities (SLD); (2) Provide guidance on the implementation with fidelity of the Response to Intervention (RTI) models as well as the discrepancy…

Over the past 15 years, students with disabilities have been included in the general education environment at markedly higher rates; however, their achievement is not increasing at the same pace. One reason for this lack of increased achievement may be that academic standards lay the foundation for instruction in this environment, but standards…

This article addresses the effects of 3-tiered comprehensive reading and behavior interventions on K-3 student outcomes in 7 urban elementary schools with a high prevalence of students considered difficult to teach. Specific features of each level of the implementation are described including screening and tier placement procedures, scheduling and…

The disproportional representation of culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse and low-income students in special education and gifted and talented programs has been a persistent issue for many decades. It has been a long standing trend that the percentage of minority students constituting special education programs exceeds their…

Through current hiring practices, many school districts may be missing an untapped pool of potential employees--individuals with disabilities. In this article, the authors describe the Hiring Practice Initiative (HPI) and its implementation in 17 Florida school districts. The Hiring Practice Initiative Project goals are to: (a) increase the…

Four commissioned papers on approaches to implement the least restrictive environment (LRE) provision of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, are presented. The authors were asked to develop criteria applicable to the local level and appropriate to a variety of contexts. Papers are presented from the following authors:…

To identify factors which facilitate and limit the successful implementation of pre-referral intervention systems in public schools, a survey was conducted of Maine Directors of Special Education who represented school systems using pre-referral systems. Forty-eight of 67 special education directors responded to the survey; 20 additional responses…

This article presents case examples that illustrate strategies for promoting natural job supports for employees with disabilities. Strategies include, among others, collaborating with work-site personnel to develop modifications and providing general consultation on person-environment factors that promote the success of the supported employee and…

Intended for coordinators of volunteer recruitment, the booklet examines practical issues in developing and implementing programs in which industry employees serve as volunteers in special education. Introductory material briefly addresses volunteerism in America, and considers the need for industry-education cooperation as well as advantages to…

Describes a study examining the status of vocational programs for special students (under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act) after two years' implementation in a northwestern state's rural schools. Results showed little concern for special students' vocational education; counseling services were inadequate, and vocational teachers'…

Problems facing the Pacific Basin Territories' attempt to implement P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, include lack of felt need for services to mildly handicapped students, lack of accommodation for cultural values in the law, and confused communications concerning the development of special education. Further…

This guide is intended to assist instructors and administrators in improving the vocational education of special needs students by providing supplemental services that have been authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984. Discussed in a section on the implications of the act for disadvantaged and handicapped students are…

The paper examines the need and implementation of transitional employment programs for handicapped youth. Effects on the handicapped of future automation are considered along with the need for school-business cooperation to prepare for the future. The importance of initial success in any innovation is noted. A Chicago transitional employment…

Discusses community-based assessment and how it was linked with the job-matching process to assist students with severe disabilities in the job development and placement process. (JOW)