Questions often arise about how accessible educational materials (AEM) might be included in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The two purposes of this article are to (1) help families and educators understand the importance of including AEM in the IEPs of students who require them, and (2) to discuss locations in the IEP where it may be…

Often the biggest transition for students with disabilities and their families is from the supports and services provided in the preschool-12th grade (P-12) public education system to a college or university. At the P-12 level, three main federal laws impact students with disabilities: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),…

This study examined data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2) to determine if factors indicative of caring were predictive of high school graduation for students with ED. Selection of NLTS2 variables was guided by resiliency theory, which implies that an individual can successfully adapt to factors that threaten his or her…

The fundamental intent of special education is to provide instruction to meet each child's unique needs. "Life Journey through Autism: Navigating the Special Education System" offers information, tools, and tips that will help parents become an even more effective advocate for their children. Many teachers, administrators, and school…

This toolkit was created to make transition planning easier and offers easy-to-understand information about the purpose of transition planning, the goal and importance of age-appropriate assessments, and the required rules that are used by schools. It also includes information on the community partners that can provide youth with supports as…

This paper describes a model for assessing transition skills of special needs students in an employment situation. The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensured that students with special needs would participate in the development of a transition plan by the age of 14. The requirement to include transition…

Educational research has found few benefits of preprimary school nonpromotion; nevertheless, in many countries the practice remains quite common. The aim of this study is to extend knowledge regarding preprimary nonpromotion via investigation of a wide set of child and family characteristics deemed predictive and discriminative of different…

Strategies to improve transition planning include the following: (1) assess students' transition goals using life-skills assessments related to career education; (2) incorporate students' and parents' perspectives using future-based assessment and planning; and (3) specify interventions for achieving outcomes. (Contains 24 references.) (JOW)

Transition from secondary education to adulthood represents a period during which adolescents with disabilities face multiple responsibilities and changing roles that include establishing independence, attending postsecondary education or training, developing social networks, choosing a career, participating in their communities, and managing…

This article discusses current transition issues facing teachers and educational diagnosticians working in rural settings with disabled populations. Barriers to successful assessment and programing (financial factors, human factors, and visibility) are noted and seven suggestions offered for implementing a transition assessment and programing…

This paper notes the need for an empirically based model for helping students with disabilities make transitions toward less restrictive settings and exit special education. Emphasis is on defining the least restrictive environment, identifying students with mild disabilities who are potential candidates for reintegration, assessing the…

This handbook for Missouri parents of young children with disabilities provides information on obtaining special education services from a local school district. A step-by-step guide for transitioning into preschool is provided. The steps include: (1) referral of the child to their local school; (2) holding a transition conference; (3) arranging…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 established a requirement that all States develop and submit to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) a performance plan designed to advance the State from its current level of compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the law…

This document contains a summary of proceedings of a conference convened June 12-14, 2002, to discuss special education paperwork and to explore ways to reduce paperwork. Participants reacted to and built upon information regarding paperwork from several sources, including a survey of state directors on special education paperwork; a survey on…

This book provides 12 papers on assessment, instruction, and policy making in special education and rehabilitation. Part I focuses on assessment, with the following papers: "A Theory of Human Behavior" (Ronald Eaves); "Describing the Cognitive Aspects of Intelligence" (David Sabatino and Hubert Vance); and "Critical Issues in the Diagnostic…