This paper summarizes implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on public education. It notes similarities between the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which already prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in most public schools. The ADA is seen as having its main impact in the area of…

This resource paper provides an overview of financial aid for postsecondary education. The discussion, reflecting information for the 1995-1996 school year, covers the various types of financial aid, the technical words and phrases used to discuss it, and the process involved in its disbursement. The paper discusses the roles and responsibilities…

This paper traces the historical context of the passage and implementation of Vermont's Act 230 in 1990, which initiated a new special education funding system to increase equity, predictability, and flexibility in program design as well as to ensure placement neutrality. Specific objectives of the funding system included increasing the use of…

This annotated bibliography provides a listing of approximately 75 journal articles, reports, teaching models, symposia proceedings, monographs, and videotape recordings on inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings. The listing is organized by subject categories, including case studies, checklists, early childhood,…

This booklet contains guidelines for implementing a planning process that enhances the transition-related results of New York school districts' individualized education programs (IEP) for students with disabilities. The guide highlights applicable federal and state law and regulations and provides a logical process that addresses transition…

This paper describes the Respecialization in Special Education (RISE) program, which helps noncertified special education teachers in Hawaii earn their endorsement for certification. The program was developed to address the shortage of special education teachers experienced by school systems both nationally and locally. The alternative teacher…

This paper describes the COILS (Co-taught Integrated Learning System) program at Boyne City (Michigan) High School. The program utilizes the sequentially based computer programs of the Integrated Learning System (ILS) as well as the co-teaching model to integrate special education students into regular classes in the areas of English, Applied…

This report describes a graduate program at the University of Vermont's Center for Developmental Disabilities. The program's objective was to prepare essential early educators to meet Vermont's need for highly trained early childhood special educators to assume educational leadership roles. Upon successful completion of the training program…

Maternal and professional perspectives on the developmental, behavioral, and ecological status of children with disabilities and their families were compared, specifically examining the degree of congruence between maternal and professional estimates on various measures designed to assess child and family status. A review of 37 studies helped…

This report summarizes data relating to standards for accreditation of personnel preparation programs in special education and related services. Section 1 examines standards issued by 30 responding states and identifies trends in the standards. It presents a matrix of standards by state, indicating whether the state has core curriculum…

This book is a "how-to" volume on implementing a career ladder program for challenged youths in transition from school to adult life. It presents an approach to career exploration, training, placement, and ongoing development that coordinates career-oriented activities with classroom activities. The core of the program is the community classroom,…

This monograph explores the ways in which first-year college students can benefit from writing and offers concrete, practical suggestions for implementing writing in freshman seminar courses. Chapter 1, "Why Use Writing in a Freshman Seminar?" builds on the notion that writing is a process of discovery. Chapter 2, "Write it More Than Once: The…

This manual is intended to facilitate the integration of children with mental handicaps into child care centers in Canada and elsewhere. The first chapter looks at the background of integration in early childhood child care programs in Canada and identifies concerns of parents. The second chapter explores the practice of labelling children with…

In order to suggest policies aimed at preventing underutilization of early intervention services by typically underserved populations, this study reviewed the literature on utilization of health and social services, devised a generic model of service utilization, and examined the national distribution of several of the model's factors. The model…

The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities brought together a total of 61 educators, employers, helping professionals, people with learning disabilities, family members, and government policy leaders in a conference designed to identify issues and develop a strategic plan to improve employment opportunities for people with…