Describes the development and testing of the North Carolina minimal competency testing program. (IRT)

Noting that one of the major educational policy shifts in recent years has been the establishment of state-funded prekindergarten programs, this report details a study examining how five states (Georgia, Illinois, New York, South Carolina, and Texas) managed this educational policy shift, identified the major facilitators and major barriers, and…

This brief discusses research showing that high-quality early childhood programs can sharply improve readiness for school, especially for children who are at risk of school failure. The brief describes North Carolina's creation of the "More at Four" pre-kindergarten program and discusses research on important issues and potential…

Among the major educational policy shifts in recent years has been the establishment of state-funded prekindergarten programs. This study extends an earlier one of the development of prekindergarten policy in five states by focusing on policy development in two additional states, California and Ohio. Potential informants in each state who were…

To determine the extent to which states are able to assess their provision of services to typically underserved populations, this study interviewed 16 Part H (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) state coordinators. Major findings indicated: (1) six states identified their rural population as most underserved and six identified one or more…

This report suggests components for a comprehensive statewide inservice training program for personnel involved in implementing the Part H program of Public Law 99-457. These components include: (1) establishment of an inservice program as a requirement for each state participating in Part H; (2) promotion of a statewide comprehensive system of…

This report was prepared as part of a 5-year study of the states' implementation of federal legislation regarding infants and toddlers (the Education of the Handicapped Act, Amendments 1986). In spring of 1988, a survey was made of key state personnel to assess current implementation status along a number of critical dimensions: definition and…

This study identified critical factors in two states as they begin to develop family centered policies for the Infant and Toddlers Program as required by Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focused on the Individual Family Service Plan, the identification of families' strengths and needs, and case management. Data were…

Results are presented of a national survey of state policies regarding identification of gifted students from special populations (culturally diverse families, economic disadvantagement, or gifted students with disabilities). Also considered is a followup study on the implementation of state policies in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas. Future policy…

Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986, requires states to develop a system for preparation of personnel to work with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and to establish personnel standards for early intervention services. A study of 10 professional associations was conducted to…

Innovative federal legislation for the handicapped is reviewed, and supplementary guidelines for Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, designed to aid the handicapped, are listed. Four Title III programs are described which benefit the preschool deaf, severely physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, and trainable mentally…

Research is summarized and analyzed in this revision of the author's 1960 "Analysis of Research on the Education of Gifted Children," which was used as a guide in the construction and implementation of the Illinois Plan for Program Development for Gifted Children. Information is provided on identification and definition and on…

The Carolina Policy Studies Program (CPSP) was established in October 1987 to track the implementation of Public Law 99-457, Part H (the law is now known as IDEA--Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which aids states in providing comprehensive services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Since its establishment,…

In Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Federal Government agrees to provide modest financial resources to aid the states in planning and developing comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated services for young children with handicaps and their families, and presents mandates for reforms in the service delivery system. This paper identifies the…

A random sample of 16 coordinators responsible for implementation of Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act were interviewed to determine if state data systems will be in a position to assist in monitoring service goals and in reaching populations typically underserved. The interviews assessed the availability of…