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 manual provides a structure for professionals to work collaboratively with families in selecting outcomes for their special needs children. It does so through presenting a family-centered intervention approach to conducting the Individualized Family Service Plan or Individualized Educational Program meeting. Part I provides an introduction…

The development of individualized educational programs (IEPs) has become a burden for many secondary school systems. The primary objective of the project described in this report was to develop a computer system that would help in the development of IEPs for all 15,000 handicapped and/or disadvantaged students enrolled in Pennsylvania's vocational…

A study was conducted to determine how parents perceive their involvement in planning the transition from school to work for their children with disabilities. A random sample of 240 parents in 9 school districts in Texas identified as having exemplary disabilities programs were contacted with a mailed survey, and 17 parents volunteered as a result…

Designed to assist service providers as they strive to provide a full service goal for all handicapped pupils, this manual consists of checklists for monitoring compliance with Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Checklists of components in general policy areas are: (1) policy requirements (LEAs - Local Educational…

A listing of 178 curriculum guides for exemplary special education programs is presented, based on a national 1983 survey of over 500 programs. For each program, information is presented on the title of the guide, the source and source address, development date, price, number of pages, recommended exceptionality area(s), and recommended level(s).…

This manual is the fourth in a set of training manuals for Head Start staff. It contains descriptions of workshop modules on the topics of (1) language development in children, (2) creativity in children, (3) the Individualized Education Program (IEP), (4) building self-esteem in families, (5) family development, (6) effective communication, and…

This New York State study evaluated problems encountered by children with handicapping conditions and their parents (N=1,486) in obtaining a free, appropriate public education. The majority (64 percent) of parents were satisfied with their child's educational program. Only 19 percent were dissatisfied. Parents of children with physical…

Sophisticated database management systems (DBMS) for microcomputers are becoming increasingly easy to use, allowing small school districts to develop their own autonomous databases for tracking enrollment and student progress in special education. DBMS applications can be designed for maintenance by district personnel with little technical…

The guidelines cover processes for placing handicapped students in private or (New York) state operated or state supported schools. Procedures are set forth regarding placements by each of three approaches: (1) contracts with private schools (in or out of state); (2) parent application for placement in state operated or state supported schools;…

Comprehensive vocational assessment needs to become an integral part of vocational programming in secondary and postsecondary schools, since it is crucial in developing appropriate individualized education plans for students with special needs. A prime focus for vocational assessment should be entrance into vocational education courses. It should…

The notion of intervention strategies is introduced in this paper to explain why and when certain change efforts are successful. It is argued that the choice of control points and the selection of control linkages are determined by characteristics of the task in the implementing agency. Many implementation failures can be attributed to the…

The handbook presents policies and procedures used by the Flour Bluff (Texas) independent school district to identify and provide programs and services for handicapped children. The following areas are addressed: referral process; individual assessment; admission, review, and dismissal committee process; individual educational plan process;…

This article outlines the educational needs of migrant exceptional children in terms of native language instruction, English-as-a-Second-Language instruction, self-concept enhancement, acculturation enhancement, and family and community involvement. The importance of the Individualized Education Program is discussed and a summary list of…

This book is intended to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities in district and state assessments as required by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. First, an introductory chapter offers reasons for including students with disabilities in district and statewide accountability systems.…