Case studies of three inclusive early childhood education programs investigated the feasibility of supporting the learning objectives of four children with disabilities through the use embedded learning opportunities. Teachers demonstrated increased use of instructional behaviors toward targeted children and children demonstrated concomitant…

In light of the discipline provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act emphasizing functional assessments and positive behavioral interventions as well as new responsibilities for the Individualized Education Program team, this article discusses the problems that school divisions are encountering when implementing these…

Examines the use of supplementary aids and services, those modifications or additional supports frequently required by young children with disabilities in an inclusive environment. Discusses the definition and continuum of assistive technology devices, the importance of supplementary aids, factors hindering the use of assistive devices in…

This article addresses whether or not the assumptions upon which the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is based remain valid as we approach the 21st century. Eligibility and labeling, free and appropriate public education, the individualized education program, and the least restrictive environment requirements are examined, and…

A five-part article describes and analyzes the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and a behavioral intervention technique called "positive behavioral interventions, supports, and strategies" (PBS). Suggests guidelines for applying PBS within the framework of IDEA, especially as it applies to discipline of students covered…

This article provides an overview of identification of appropriate testing accommodations for students with learning disabilities (LD). First it defines the concept of testing accommodations and review research on test accommodations commonly used with students with LD. Next it examines the validity and fairness in accommodations, as well as the…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

This study investigated the effects of teaching middle grade students with disabilities to participate in their IEP meetings using "The Self-Advocacy Strategy." Four students with high-incident disabilities were taught to be active participants in their IEP meetings. Student contributions, along with scores on "The Arc's Self-Determination Scale,"…

This article discusses the use of IEP software applications from the perspectives of form (i.e., legally correct documents) and function (i.e., educationally appropriate individualized programs). The article provides an overview of the basic components of two fairly comprehensive IEP software programs and discusses the general strengths and…

Self-directed Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) allow students to assume leadership and become actively involved in the decisions made at their IEP meetings. This article describes how through direct instruction, social skills discussion, active practice, and role-playing students are prepared to facilitate their meeting. This active…

The study evaluated the IEPs/Individualized Transition Plans of 45 students who were in special education and foster care, and compared them to the plans of 45 students who were in special education only. Results indicate that the transition plans of foster youth with disabilities were poor in quality, both in absolute terms and in comparison to…

Given the documented benefits of family involvement in educational planning, engaging families throughout the school years is strongly advocated. However, barriers continue to impede families from collaborative partnering in educational planning. In this qualitative study the perceptions of six families were examined prior to and after the…

This analysis examines the demographics of the special needs population in public and private schools in Oklahoma and estimates the impact on school enrollments providing tax credit funded scholarship grants for special needs students. The author and his colleagues develop a model that shows how the expenditures of Oklahoma's school districts vary…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004 supports equitable access to educational opportunities for all children who have disabilities. IDEA requires that students who receive services for special needs receive a free appropriate public education, and have access to the general education curriculum, which includes…

Intended as a guide for replicating parts or all of the Mountain-Plains Career Education Model IV, this handbook provides a detailed description of a residential, family-based education program developed to improve the economic potential and lifestyle of selected student families in a six-state area. The handbook is divided into seven chapters and…