The Comprehensive Developmental Teams (CDT) program, a multidisciplinary approach to improving Head Start services to handicapped children is described. Reviewed are the team's tasks--to identify, screen, and assess the children's strengths and weaknesses in order to develop comprehensive programs of intervention, including provision of individual…

This brief paper summarizes research findings concerning the identification and implementation of effective practices in early childhood intervention for children with disabilities. First, research documenting the effectiveness of early childhood intervention is noted and the importance of developing individualized programs within integrated early…

This article begins with a vignette about Carla, a 4-year-old girl with a diagnosis of developmental delays. It then describes a model to facilitate inclusion of young children in early childhood settings. The authors developed this model as they worked with practicing early childhood professionals. The model places emphasis on the following…

The panel presentation traces the development of and describes the operation of a Brentwood (California) project to prepare approximately 75 severely disabled individuals, ages 12-22, to function in the least restrictive recreation/leisure, vocational, and general community environments. Transition Steering Committee developed such project…

Intended for local school district personnel, the document suggests a model for assisting decision makers in placing handicapped students in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Basic considerations of a multidisciplinary team in determining the appropriate placement for the handicapped students are listed (including the nature and degree of…

Characteristics of individualized education programs (IEPs) of 46 mainstreamed students with multiple disabilities from 9 states were analyzed, revealing that IEPs are vague and inconsistent, list goals for staff rather than for students, and are discipline-referenced. The study recommends that IEPs include individualized learning outcomes,…

Despite limited references to guidance and counseling in federal legislation on the handicapped, school counselors are deeply involved in the delivery of appropriate services. An individualized education program (IEP) can include counseling services for both special and regular education placements and provide intervention, as well as support.…

A comprehensive team approach to the selection and delivery of educational services for exceptional students is presented. Also described are recommendations for appropriate process or interaction models, team composition and functions, and a decision-making model. (CJ)

This guide presents principles for the effective integration of young children with disabilities into regular classrooms in Massachusetts. Planning for integration is discussed in terms of the responsibilities of the integration team (using either a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary model), the role of the family, assessment of children's…

This paper explores Canadian educational services offered to severely and profoundly handicapped children and comments on their cautious welcoming into the regular education system. School administrators must become familiar with the needs of severely handicapped students, and must become much more involved in the planning, support, and…

A reference work that presents a chronology focusing on special education, its development, and the important issues that both positively and negatively affect the field. Updated through current events, this second edition provides an excellent introduction to special education in all of its practical aspects--how it developed, its curriculum,…

This document presents a "Quality Program Indicators Checklist" developed with the goal of program improvement in classrooms for students in Kentucky with moderate and severe handicaps. The checklist evaluates program effectiveness in six component areas: (1) integration (interaction opportunities and teacher behaviors supportive of…

The 13 chapters of this book on early intervention services for young children with disabilities are organized into three sections covering issues in service provision in early intervention, application, and future directions. Chapter titles and authors include: (1) "Service Delivery Issues in Center-Based Early Intervention" (R. A. McWilliam);…

This study was commissioned to determine how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is working, what outcomes children and youth with disabilities are achieving, and how the system can be improved in the context of current education reform initiatives. Key policy themes addressed include individualized education programs, least…

This resource and planning guide is designed to help Wisconsin school districts, community agency personnel, and education practitioners implement the designated vocational instruction (DVI) approach and thereby accelerate and enhance the ability of disabled students to meet specific instructional competencies and educational outcomes. The…