The federal definition of emotional disturbance (ED) includes a social maladjustment (SM) exclusion clause that stipulates that students are not eligible for special education services if they are determined to be "socially maladjusted" and not also meeting criteria for ED. This clause has long been criticized for being ambiguous and…

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…

This Quick Reference Document has been prepared by the Regional Resource Center Program ARRA/Fiscal Priority Team to aid RRCP State Liaisons and other (Technical Assistance) TA providers in understanding the general context of state questions surrounding excess cost. As a "first-stop" for TA providers in investigating excess cost…

This manual is designed to help advocates, including parents, obtain special education for children with disabilities residing in New Jersey. It explains the requirements of the federal statute governing special education--the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)--and the federal regulations implementing IDEA, as well as the state…

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…

NCLB, Alaska Statute 14.03.120 and State Regulation 4 AAC 06.895 require each school and district to disseminate a report card to parents before the school opens for instruction in the fall. Each school site, working with the district, is responsible for determining the format of the report. This handbook has been developed to assist districts in…

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.…

In order to develop a more uniform approach to determining the population of limited-English-proficient (LEP) individuals in the United States, and for purposes of educational decisions and resource allocation, the definition of this particular population is discussed in this theme issue. First, approaches currently used to estimate the size of…

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 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 publication is intended to ensure that consideration for and provision of extended school year services (ESY services) for students with disabilities are consistent with the requirements of federal law, Iowa state rules, and Iowa's adopted educational standards. Part 1 of the document discusses the specific addition of ESY services to the…

This document provides a side-by-side comparison of Virginia regulations governing special education programs, the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act, and the federal 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Differences and similarities are illustrated for sections relating to: (1) definitions; (2)…