Early intervention can enhance the development of disabled infants and toddlers and reduce long-term education costs to society, but rural communities may be unable to provide coordinated early-intervention services that include quality child care. Barriers to rural service delivery include economic, geographic, and human-capital factors. Although…

This paper reports a practicum which attempted to improve delivery of speech language services to children with speech language handicaps in two elementary schools without pulling students out of regular classes. The speech language pathologist (SLP) implemented a collaborative approach with regular teachers providing support in the areas of…

This publication discusses the role of Language Sample Analysis (LSA) in identifying language disorders, providing detail necessary to initiate a focused intervention program, and providing a method for monitoring progress in language intervention. Section 1 provides an overview of the LSA process and types of language disorders, while Section 2…

The processes by which mentors might improve the self-esteem of economically vulnerable African American male youth are explored, drawing on previous research. The combination of biological, behavioral, and societal factors faced by young black males is complex, and has implications for identity processes. The initial longitudinal study of urban…

This report describes the results of two statewide surveys conducted during Spring, 1991: the 1992 Utah Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the 1991 Utah School Health Education Survey (SHES). Sixty-three schools were randomly selected to participate in the state-level YRBS, and all 311 public and private schools with students in grades 7…

This paper introduces a document that presents a set of indicators that the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood recommends for early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. The indicators selected are research-based or…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood in the area of family participation in early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introduction to the quality indicators points out…

This literature review defines Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) and considers their causes, diagnoses, prevalence, and educational ramifications. Effects of alcohol during each of the trimesters of pregnancy are summarized. Specific diagnostic characteristics of FAS are listed: (1) growth deficiency, (2) a…

This research summary examines the policies and issues that affect the school dropout problem among youth with disabilities. It clarifies the dropout problem, examines government and school policies that affect school holding power, and recommends responses. Information is based on a current dropout prevention research project, findings from five…

This paper is the first in a three-part series on the fiscal provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It provides a brief overview, history, and related background information on the major federal special education funding programs, including basic state grants under Part B of the IDEA (which require participating…

This practicum was designed to provide speech and language therapy to children identified as speech and language impaired, in a Head Start classroom with typically developing peers. The practicum involved amending Head Start component plans, discussing inclusion issues at four education component meetings, conducting an interagency meeting with…

Disabilities and illnesses are becoming an increasing problem for all employers. To understand the problems unique to schools, 76 elementary and middle school principals were surveyed and indepth interviews were conducted with over a dozen of them. Nearly 70 percent reported that, over the past 2 years, they had between 1 and 5 teachers absent for…

Intended for school psychologists, the handbook stresses that attention deficit disorder (ADD) is primarily a school problem and proposes that the school psychologist is the best professional to accurately diagnose and treat this disorder. The book reviews current research related to school psychology, describes assessment tools, and explains a…

As a result of federal law Public Law 99-457, Illinois has the opportunity to provide early intervention for at-risk children up to 3 years of age. These children have developmental delays, such as cerebral palsy, or are cocaine or alcohol babies. The legislative history and current status of Public Law 99-457 as it relates to the planning of…

Designed to help Head Start mental health coordinators incorporate mental health into all aspects of the program, this manual describes planning strategies, suggests activities, includes samples of forms successfully used by other programs, and lists resources. Part I discusses the meaning of mental health and shows the relationship between a…