There is no question that students who experience homelessness, like all students, are entitled to be educated. A federal law, known as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, requires states to provide homeless children and youth with the same access to free appropriate public education as is available to other students. The Act also requires…

Early childhood educators play a critical role in preparing students for success later in their school experience. The instructional techniques, emotional supports, and assessment approaches for early childhood settings are different from classroom settings in later grades. How can states and districts develop evaluation systems that are tuned to…

This publication analyzes current eligibility classifications and criteria used by states to identify young children in need of special education and related services. Data were retrieved from the World Wide Web and/or provided by coordinators of the state Part B-Section 619 programs, including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Guam,…

This article presents a brief history of the transition of the federal definition for students who are gifted and talented, as well as a description of other definitions that have affected state definitions. A review of state definitions in 1990 and 1998 indicates that 29 states have modified their definition. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This publication discusses the findings of a review of the eligibility classifications and criteria provided by the coordinators of the state and jurisdictional preschool program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Findings revealed seven states use only IDEA, Part B disability categories to identify eligible children of…

This report is a brief analysis of information from 47 states and non-state jurisdictions on use of the eligibility category, "developmental delay," for children up until their tenth birthday, as permitted under the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Relevant policy issues and concerns are also discussed.…

This document is the outcome of a conference that examined promising practices in services for children with developmental delays (DD) and gathered input for making policy recommendations related to the implementation of DD as a specific disability category for children ages 3 through 9. It begins by discussing changes to the Individuals with…

Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), participating states and jurisdictions must provide services to children who are either experiencing developmental delays, or who have a diagnosed mental or physical condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay. Additionally, states may choose to…

This manual provides administrative guidelines for programs for gifted students in Missouri. An introduction cites the relevant state special education law, defines "giftedness," and stresses that differentiated educational programs are intended for only 2 or 3 percent of the school-aged population whose development requires…

This document contains regulations governing the provision of equal educational opportunities and free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive educational alternative to all Maine student residents with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 20. Twenty sections contain provisions relating to: (1) the policy and purpose of special…

This document presents Montana's standards and guidelines for career and vocational/technical education (CVTE). The guide begins with a directory of Montana's key CVTE personnel and specialists. Part 1 presents the federal and state definitions of CVTE and provides an overview of Montana's system for delivering CVTE and its philosophy regarding…