Reviews the major substantive amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act being proposed by the U.S. Senate, including changes in state and local educational agency eligibility; least restrictive environment; private school placement; evaluations, reevaluations, and Individualized Education Programs; discipline procedures;…

This article explores how the school-based wraparound approach and a school-wide systems approach to positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) work together to create more effective school environments and improved outcomes for students with or at risk of behavioral challenges. Complementary aspects of these wraparound and PBIS…

The Special Education Tribunals, established in Ontario (Canada) as an appeals adjudication structure, have expanded the educational rights of exceptional children beyond the rights legislated in the Education Act 1980. School boards are required to consider the child's needs, the program of studies, the teaching methodology, and the philosophy of…

Discusses a conceptual model for understanding the participation of families from culturally diverse backgrounds in the Individualized Education Program/Individualized Family Service Plan process. Predisposing family factors, perceptions of disability, enabling factors, family-professional collaboration, and systemic support are explored, and…

Details delivery of Individual Education Program objectives to K-3 students with low-incidence disabilities. Presents data on which teachers were present in the classroom and who delivered the teaching opportunities, frequency of IEP instruction, and instructional context of the lesson. Discusses the low level of IEP-related instruction in terms…

In Ohio, a food service program is partnering with a national restaurant chain to help students with learning disabilities transition from school to work. The Greene County Career Center in Xenia, Ohio, has a food service program satisfying the appetites of visitors, students and staff, as well as meeting the training goals of students with…

Accountability countability, choice, equity, and social cohesion are core parts of the public debates over the charter school movement. To examine these important issues, we utilize the "1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey" to estimate the possible charter effect on public and private schools. Analyses of charter, public,and private schools…

The purpose of this investigation was to understand the variables that influence parents' perceptions of the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment (WAA). Parents and teachers of elementary and secondary students with severe cognitive disabilities (n = 77) from across Wisconsin participated. Teachers submitted case materials that included a copy of the…

This textbook emphasizes practical guidelines and approaches that work with special students mainstreamed into regular classrooms. The background of the mainstream and inclusion movements and labeling practices is considered, along with specific exceptionalities and methods effective in teaching children who have learning disabilities, mental…

This project studied the effects of implementing a computerized management information system developed for special education administrators. The Intelligent Administration Support Program (IASP), an expert system and database program, assisted in information acquisition and analysis pertaining to the district's quality of decisions and procedures…

This booklet for parents of young children with special needs provides a variety of child-rearing suggestions as well as a listing of resources. After an introduction which defines special needs and summarizes basic principles, the following chapters address: (1) the family as the child's most important support; (2) the evaluation process; (3)…

This newsletter includes six articles related to the Regional Resource and Federal Centers for Special Education Network and its efforts in the area of standards and accountability. In "Teacher Training and Skills: Necessary Ingredients for Standards and Accountability," John Copenhaver discusses ways in which the Regional Resource and…

This paper provides the text of a Congressional presentation outlining the position of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) concerning reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The CEC believes that the fundamental rights and protections for children and their families, as well as the basic fiscal and…

Noting that Head Start has become the largest community-based preschool program providing services to children with disabilities, this guide is intended to build the skills of Head Start staff in effectively using the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to accommodate children with disabilities. Following an introductory section, the guide…

This book presents, in a question-and-answer format, a comprehensive guide to special education law, especially the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Following a table of questions and suggestions on using the book, individual chapters cover law on the following topics: (1) eligibility (e.g., under IDEA and other laws, specific…