Prompted by the growing interest in the role of reader-related and text-related variables in reading comprehension, a study compared 30 sixth grade students in regular classrooms to 30 language impaired students. The purpose was to assess the relationship of (1) text structure manipulations for simple and complex sentence structure, (2) discourse…

The language of hearing impaired students differs from that of their hearing peers, and can affect their ability to comprehend printed material. Language can be defined as the knowledge of the integration of semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. Hearing impaired children will have difficulty in acquiring language at a normal developmental rate…

A guide to help learning disabled students achieve access to postsecondary campuses and to help campuses make accessibility a reality is presented. An explanation is offered of learning disabilities and the diagnostic processes used to determine the specific disabilities. Postsecondary options and selecting the appropriate institution are…

The manual presents guidelines for developing a special education service delivery system that are flexible enough to accommodate individual needs of local education agencies (LEAs) in Minnesota. Following a general introduction, the manual is organized in three sections: (1) description of essential components in the special education system; (2)…

This in-service education module is intended to facilitate mainstreaming of young children with special needs in child care centers by providing information and training in mainstreaming concepts and activities to child care center owners, operators, and personnel. Guidelines for instructors in preparing for planned sessions are followed by a…

The document consists of a series of in-service training sessions designed to be used by early intervention agencies in helping child care personnel mainstream young children with special needs. A glossary of disability-related terms is followed by an outline of eight in-service sessions which address the following topics: managing mainstreaming;…

The objectives and activities of a 3-year preventive intervention program are described. The project's goal was to demonstrate a comprehensive, coordinated interagency model of preventive intervention for birth to 3-year-old handicapped or at-risk infants and young children. Following an in-hospital screening process of infants delivered at…

As more children are now able to live with cancer and prepare for the future, care of the child with cancer should be directed at producing a child who is mentally healthy and who can function at an age-appropriate level in society. This presentation, given at the "Growth toward Independence" Conference in February 1987, notes the emotional,…

The monograph summarizes findings of effective schools research, information on the characteristics of effective classrooms, and descriptions of the methodological and conceptual issues related to school improvement projects. The impact of the school effectiveness literature on classroom instruction is discussed, and implications for the…

This paper describes efforts in Oregon to improve school services for students with orthopedic impairments. A state technical assistance team was created which worked with regional coordinators. The team established the following goals: providing physical and occupational therapy that is delivered by a team, is directly related to the child's…

A study examined the effects of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) on employment patterns among those eligible for and those ineligible for TJTC. The rate at which TJTC-eligible persons penetrated the labor market and the resultant displacement of persons not eligible were examined in terms of TJTC-related variables, personal characteristics, and…

The use of auxiliary personnel, which includes paraprofessionals, volunteers, and peer- and cross-peer tutors, has become prevalent in special education programs. Teacher education programs need to focus on the skills required by teachers to utilize these assistants appropriately and effectively. This paper outlines one method for incorporating an…

A competency-based instructional program was developed to improve the training and performance of paraprofessionals working in education programs for special needs students. The content is designed to meet the training needs of entry-level instructional paraprofessionals serving in public school programs. The content is presented in five modules,…

This study compared parent stress, family functioning, and social support in 55 families with a developmentally handicapped child (ages 0-7) and 55 families with a nonhandicapped child. Findings indicated that a young handicapped child did induce greater stress in his parents than did a nonhandicapped child. Parents of handicapped children…

Many barriers exist in the transition of disabled students from the educational system to postsecondary life. Transition systems have been developed to overcome these barriers, focusing on the needs of the individual, the role of parents, and the role of the state education agency. Several cooperative interagency models have been created by states…