This digest paper examines the special roles of parents of children with disabilities in planning for the education of their children and discusses how educators can work effectively with parents to create meaningful individualized education programs (IEPs). Barriers to parental participation in the IEP process are identified, including…

This booklet for Wisconsin parents of children with disabilities discusses the processes and functions of special education. It describes steps in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process, including: referring a child for special education; evaluating the child; deciding what services are needed and writing the IEP; deciding where…

This document presents the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Students with Severe Disabilities, a subset of the general standards and alternate progress indicators that emphasize daily life skills. Introductory material reviews the development of these standards and the alternate progress indicators including the purpose, process,…

The United States Congress amended the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 to reflect changes in the special education field over the previous twenty years. In this 2-hour videotape recording designed for teachers, administrators, parents, and others, Dr. Barbara Bateman presents her insights about changes in IDEA law and…

This handbook for Missouri parents of young children with disabilities provides information on obtaining special education services from a local school district. A step-by-step guide for transitioning into preschool is provided. The steps include: (1) referral of the child to their local school; (2) holding a transition conference; (3) arranging…

This document presents an analysis of the New Mexico program of providing extended school year services to students with disabilities in need of such services. Individual sections provide the following information: the philosophy of extended school services in New Mexico; authority under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; purpose of…

Children go to school to learn, of course. But parents of children with disabilities often ask, "How will I know my child is learning and making progress?" Parents can answer that question by looking at a variety of data, including information from special education and general education sources and information from outside the school.…

This paper presents some suggestions parents should consider when planning their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Suggestions are organized according to these sections: (1) Before the IEP team meeting; (2) At the IEP team meeting; and (3) After the IEP team meeting.

Beginning on the front cover, the superintendents of schools in four urban areas describe successful programs in their districts. They explain why individualized instruction improved reading achievement in Detroit (Michigan), while it was phased out in Red Bank (New Jersey); why Milwaukee's (Wisconsin) school organization is unique; and how…

A framework for vocational assessment that matches handicapped students, curriculum, and training environment is described. The assessment approach is described in regard to screening, educational placement, evaluation of student achievement prior to placement in the curriculum, and assessment of individual progress, and program evaluation. (SEW)

A format for writing an individualized education program is described, along with results of a budgeting skills program designed for a mildly retarded young adult attending a sheltered workshop. The format requires explicit statements in such areas as the prerequisite skills necessary for participation in the program. (Author/SW)

The school nurse should be able to identify the health needs of students and to facilitate remediation of health or handicapping conditions or to assist in adapting the school setting to students' needs. Requirements and activities expected of school nurses in the care of handicapped students are listed. (CJ)

Argues that it is important for educators to include physicians in the development of educational plans for exceptional children. (FL)

A time management training program is described for use by public school special service providers (e.g., psychologists, specialists) to allocate adequate amounts of time to individualized education program planning and evaluation. A formative evaluation of the application of the approach in a public school district is described. (Author)

Steps to success in the mainstreaming of handicapped students include: (1) warm and accepting atmosphere; (2) acceptance of the handicapped students; (4) less physically restrictive classrooms; (5) successful experiences; (6) emphasis on individual strengths; (7) fair testing procedures; (8) enlivening lesson plans; (9) parent teacher…