As one component of a program improvement grant provided by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEPs), the authors' teacher preparation program (TPP) underwent substantial program redesign. In this article, the authors provide a detailed overview of the process they undertook to revamp their program based on the fundamental question,…

Action research is a method of organizational development and improvement often used in educational settings. This study implemented an action research process in an alternative school that serves students with significant special needs. The action research process was implemented by classroom teams who developed a research question, collected and…

This review traces the evolution from 1971 to the present of a national technical assistance (TA) program to support the creation, expansion, and improvement of services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs. From its beginning as a TA resource for demonstration projects, to linking outreach projects' expertise with state…

From the legislative point of view special education in Norway today is geared up to do a commendable job for all of the individuals who have a need for special services. The definition of special education has been broadened to include all kinds of special help, training, institutionalization and intervention programs. Along with this has come a…

This paper presents a summary of the proceedings of a two-day policy forum on performance goals and indicators for special education. The conference was part of a larger project to research and analyze the impacts of accountability-based reforms on students with disabilities and special education. The forum focused on the feasibility and…

This review is intended to assist guidance counselors, vocational and special education teachers, administrators, researchers, and vocational education evaluators in making decisions about implementing or improving vocational assessment programs. In the introduction, the legislative mandate for and history of vocational assessment of special…

A study was conducted to (1) examine and evaluate existing vocational programs at the secondary level and to identify such programs or components of programs which appear to be meeting the needs of the learning disabled and the employer; and (2) share these findings with persons responsible for providing vocational education for learning disabled…

A study was conducted to examine the extent to which program improvement funds from Public Law 94-482 were used by states to aid state vocational education programs serving handicapped and disadvantaged students through research, exemplary and innovative programs, curriculum development, vocational guidance and counseling, and vocational education…

The manual presents guidelines for developing a special education service delivery system that are flexible enough to accommodate individual needs of local education agencies (LEAs) in Minnesota. Following a general introduction, the manual is organized in three sections: (1) description of essential components in the special education system; (2)…

A task force was created to establish a collaborative relationship among government, education, private agencies, and employers for transition services for special education students. Findings were that unemployment and underemployment were extremely high for special education graduates who lacked adequate basic, job-seeking, and work skills. Few…

A project was conducted to provide inservice training for 100 teachers of specially designed vocational programs and to determine the best practices for program management and standards. Included among the major accomplishments of the project were the following: a review of literature on specially designed vocational programs and their management,…

This paper examines the qualities and limitations of information utilization in special education program planning and improvement; discusses the results of a federally funded transition follow-along and follow-up research and demonstration project in Minnesota; and describes methods for organizing, managing, and reporting follow-along and…

This resource guide is designed to bring together information and resources on career preparation for students with disabilities in Florida's schools. The intended audience includes special and vocational teachers and administrators who have an interest in improving outcomes for students with disabilities within their districts. Chapter 1…

State and local agencies must work to provide appropriately designed vocational education programs to vocational students in order to help them become self-sufficient in living and working. In view of the employment potential of disabled people and the legal and economic reasons for facilitating their access to employment-related programs, state…

This collection of four policy papers on vocational assessment for the handicapped deals with personnel development, interagency coordination, current research and development, and providing individualized assessment services. Discussed in the initial paper on program improvement in vocational assessment for the handicapped are federal legislation…