Responses to EC 604 077 include "A Proposed Certification Model for Special Education" (Paul Sindelar et al.), "Categorical versus Noncategorical versus Cross-Categorical Teacher Certification in Special Education" (Ann Nevin), and "Do We Have to Choose Categorical versus Noncategorical?" (Judith Bondurant-Utz et…

Drawing upon New Hampshire data, this article analyzes transition from early intervention to preschool programs, labels assigned to preschool children, label changes as children get older, and consequences of categorical labeling. Almost one-third of children in early intervention were not eligible for preschool services because of requirements…

Forty-six noncategorically identified intermediate-level handicapped students were assigned to functionally grouped self-contained classes and were observed. Although special education teachers did not know unofficial labels applied to students (emotional disturbances or learning disabilities), they instructed emotionally disturbed children with…

The recommendations of the National Association of State Boards of Education's Study Group on Special Education focus on: (1) creation of a new belief system and vision that includes all students; (2) encouragement of collaboration between general and special educators to better serve the diverse student population; and (3) breaking the link…

This survey of 51 state directors of special education and 50 state certification officers found that, although states offering categorical certification alone outnumber those offering only noncategorical certification, there is wide variation among states and a trend toward noncategorical models. Recommendations emphasizing interagency…

The application of noncategorical special education in two states and categorical special education in two companion states was considered, with a focus on program practices and procedures. The effects of grade level, disability severity, and school district size on state and local implementation of the noncategorical approach were examined, and…

This study examined the literature and state policies concerning noncategorical certification of special education teachers. First, the issues are identified and include services organized around the categorical conditions defined in Federal law, the tendency of categorical certification to adversely affect teacher supply and limit administrative…

This policy brief addresses the issue of issue of whether or not current federal funding policy under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be changed from an identification system to an overall population-based system. The current federal funding policy is described, in the context of the legislative history of IDEA.…