Principles of planning for the transition of students with special needs into postsecondary educational programs include incorporation of postsecondary objectives into the secondary school individualized education program, use of the team approach, comprehensive program planning, interagency collaboration, and identification of resources and…

This final report describes activities and achievements of a project that examined issues in development of coordinated services systems as encouraged by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) amendments of 1997. It identifies and discusses 27 coordinated services policy and implementation considerations within nine areas. Examples…

This paper reviews the current status of gifted education in South Africa and makes recommendations for improvements. Characteristics of the gifted and procedures for identifying gifted children are described, emphasizing the importance of identifying the gifted as early as possible. Provisions for differentiated gifted education, as currently…

The publication is intended to help those wishing to establish educational programs for handicapped preschoolers. Nine topic areas are addressed: (1) assessing local service needs; (2) identifying available funding sources; (3) choosing a program site; (4) locating and accessing referral services (suggested strategies for generating referrals);…

The manual is designed to help teachers develop effective and efficient individual educational plans for severely handicapped children. Initial sections explain the four major parts of educational programing (short- and long-term objectives, an instructional plan, and a means of monitoring progress) and the importance of a problem-oriented system.…

Intended as a resource for developing individualized education programs (IEPs) for gifted students, the manual lists annual goals and terminal behaviors for cognitive and affective development. Goals and behaviors coded to expedite the IEP process are set forth for four cognitive areas (subtopics in parentheses): independent study (research,…

This guide suggests a fresh perspective for families and professionals working together to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities living in Maryland. It begins by explaining the purpose of IEPs and by providing the principles for IEP development in Maryland. Information is then provided on how the IEP is…

This manual is a guide to the use of assistive technology with Iowa students who have disabilities. Section 1 offers legal definitions and examples of assistive technology and is followed by a section that considers how assistive technology helps students by providing examples of assistive technology in the general education curriculum. Section 3…

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 article describes the Laptop Computer Initiative (LCI), a program in a Delaware school district to enhance referral-to-placement practices and to develop individualized education programs for special education students. The six steps in the program's development are recounted and positive results of the LCI, such as increased staff efficiency…

A systematic approach to curriculum development for students with severe disabilities enrolled in extended school year programs is described. The approach is community driven, consistent with student Individualized Education Program objectives, tailored to the individual student, and teaches functional skills performed by individuals without…

Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifies that a behavioral intervention plan (BIP) must be developed for students with disabilities under certain disciplinary exclusions. IDEA, however, does not provide details as to what should be included in BIPs, and this lack of specific guidance often results in…

To comply with the Education for the Handicapped Act, comprehensive needs assessments were conducted in Ohio relative to appropriate physical education programming in the least restrictive environment. Results from an assessment in an urban school district confirmed the belief that physical education teachers did not possess needed competencies…

The manual outlines Michigan's procedures in providing special education services to students with emotional impairments. The first section depicts the special education process, beginning with pre-referral intervention strategies and referral and proceeding to evaluation, the individualized educational planning committee (IEPC) meeting, delivery…

Intended as a resource for program planners and implementers, the manual outlines procedures for early childhood special education in Nevada. Eight major topics are addressed in separate chapters: rationale for early childhood special education (economic, child development, family and ethical perspectives, and documentation of effectiveness);…