Current efforts in vocational assessment of handicapped secondary students are considered. A model is discussed via five chronological purposes: (1) screening, (2) placement, (3) program planning, (4) monitoring of individual progress, and (5) individual program evaluation. Two fundamental shifts in assessment are projected regarding vocational…

Use of building-level teacher assistance teams (TATs) to provide suggested alternative instructional strategies and support services to regular teachers with problem learners prior to referral to special education is discussed in terms of relationship to special education, purposes, organization and operation, staff training, attitudinal issues,…

The article defines the term, "transition," discusses the types of transitions that occur during early childhood special education, explores the rationale for studying and planning such transitions, and identifies transition issues and procedures. Tables offer data on critical events in rearing a handicapped family member, commercially available…

A parent center supported by the Albuquerque Public School System and the University of New Mexico promotes cooperation between parents and educators to serve exceptional children. The center was based on assumptions about money, time, personnel, parent heterogeneity, and needs/strengths as delineated in the "Mirror Model of Parent Involvement."…

The article presents a five-step model for implementing a consulting teacher model and effective interventions for mildly handicapped students in regular education settings. Interventions include principles of effective teaching, mastery learning, peer and cross-age tutoring, cooperative learning groups, and instruction in metacognitive learning…

Discusses barriers to the development of inclusive school programs for secondary students with mild disabilities, and the implementation of an inclusive program in a 9th-grade general math class and an 11th-grade English class. Describes the development of partnerships between general and special education teachers. (CR)

Colleges and universities across the U.S. are making efforts in teacher education reform in order to better the training of instructors and therefore the education of children. In this article, the authors describe two aspects of interrelated changes in teacher education. They share various aspects of their journey--to redesign their teacher…

This paper cites relevant court decisions and provides guidelines for expelling and suspending handicapped students for disciplinary reasons. The advantages of in-school suspensions are described, with discussions of policy, curriculum, and management considerations. Tables cover behaviors of handicapped students, a schedule for awarding…

Discussion of requirements of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act examines key components of the IEP, who constitutes the IEP team, roadblocks to effective use of the IEP, the top 10 common problems in IEPs, making the most of the IEP, transition planning, and…

This paper reviews service delivery models used with learning-disabled adolescents and proposes two alternative models of services. Components of an effective program include intensive basic skills instruction, explicit instruction in coping skills, successful completion of classes required for graduation, and planning for postgraduation life. (PB)

This article describes characteristics of adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, transition outcomes for these students, model transition programs, and key transition service delivery components, including: intake and functional skill assessment, personal future planning, wraparound social services, competitive employment, flexible…

The Missouri Parents as Teachers project developed in response to a 1984 state mandate requiring parent education and serves about 85,000 families with children, ages birth through 4. Components include home visits, group meetings, and early childhood developmental screenings. Discussed are the project's historical perspective, project evaluation,…