Individuals who serve as surrogate parents fulfill an important role in the life of a child with a disability. Surrogates have become increasingly important in special education because a growing number of children are living outside their family for some period of their lives. Like parents, surrogates of children with disabilities are granted a…

Educating students with disabilities gained national attention in 1975 with the passage of Public Law 94-142 the Education of All Handicapped Children Act. This law provided students with disabilities with equal access to the same free and appropriate education as students without disabilities, and mandated that schools provide students with…

The purpose of this document is to provide a historical perspective of the evolution of special education in Iowa through the voices of the people who created the system of support for individuals with disabilities. In addition to the interviews, extensive historical literature reviews were conducted. One hundred and thirty individuals were…

The author, a research officer at the National Foundation for Educational Research investigating provisions for children with special needs in regular schools, discusses contrasts in special education practice between England and the United States. (SBH)

Transition planning with students with learning disabilities (LD) from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds presents unique challenges to the implementation of recommended practices and mandates such as individualization, incorporation of student preferences; encouragement of self-determination; collaboration with parents and…

Intended for elementary and secondary teachers, the guide provides information on teaching physical education to handicapped students in the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS). The following topics are addressed in eight separate chapters: (1) laws and regulations governing provision of physical education for handicapped students; (2)…

The resource guide is intended to assist local Arkansas school districts to establish a program for improving the parent educator partnership in planning and implementing appropriate educational programs for handicapped students. The guide should be used in conjunction with a needs assessment of parents and educators to identify appropriate…

Intended for parents of handicapped children, the booklet provides information on the basic rights the child is entitled to, how the special education system works in Iowa, how the parent can become involved in education, and how to assure that the child's rights are protected. Chapter 1 addresses the right to an education with sections on what…

Adopting full inclusion as the implementation strategy for educating children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will eliminate the discretion granted parents and guardians under the act. Discusses the intent of IDEA, its legal interpretations, and implications for school social workers. (Author/MKA)

Identifies the ambiguities in defining handicapped students and outlines the unique needs of handicapped persons and the role education plays in meeting these needs. Discusses the legislated responsibilities of postsecondary institutions to foster the education of the handicapped and the difficulties in complying with such mandates. (Author)

This article describes how parent representatives can effectively prepare for and conduct due process hearings as required under Public Law 94-142 when conflict resolution efforts fail. Key terms involved in the legislation are discussed, as are applications of the Attorney's Fee Act to minimize the financial burden involved in such litigation.…

The paper explores recent legal and programmatic changes in the education of the handicapped in Massachusetts. A first section highlights some aspects of the law, including court interpretations of the meaning of "appropriate education" and examples of state legal standards that are different than federal standards. Also addressed are…

The booklet provides direction for driver education instructors, special education teachers, and school administrators in the planning and implementing of effective traffic safety education programs for handicapped youth. Section I focuses on understanding state and federal laws with subsections on P. L. 93-112 (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), P.…

This guide describes the services necessary to support effective paraeducator services in accredited Iowa schools. A paraeducator is defined as an employee who works under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel who have the ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of education and related service programs. It is…

This article discusses provisions of Public Law 99-457 and suggests that this law sets the stage for the development of family-centered services for young children with disabilities. The approach presented emphasizes identification of families' strengths and needs as a basis for implementing community-based programs, with professionals serving as…