A study was undertaken at Arizona's Pima Community College (PCC) to determine the extent to which entering students took writing, reading, and mathematics placement tests and followed placement recommendations, as well as the relationship between the completion of recommended courses and subsequent academic performance. The study sample consisted…

Leadership to reverse rigid tracking practices can make a difference for student success. Through transformational leadership, administrators, teachers, and counselors can serve as catalysts for change from restrictive to inclusive advanced high school classes. Steps are underway by some states and districts to change past grouping practices that…

This guide for parents explains the changes in the federal special education law resulting from the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changes related to the parent's role in decisions about the child's education and in how schools can discipline special education students are highlighted. A…

Noting that kindergarten entry is a major milestone for all young children and their families and that this transition to school can set the tone for the child's future school experiences, this booklet was developed to promote communication and understanding among Vermont parents, caregivers, and schools to ensure that all children experience a…

This booklet is one of a series designed to assist early childhood general educators, early childhood special educators, related service providers, parents, administrators, and others in understanding what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) now requires for young children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their…

This document presents the conference proceedings of the 1994 Joint Session of the Annual Project Directors Meeting for the Severe Disabilities Branch and the Office of Special Education Program's (OSEP's) Second State Coordinators of Severe Disabilities Networking Meeting held on November 7-9, 1994, in Washington, DC. The sessions focused on…

In the absence of immunity, courts have held schools and school personnel liable for personal injury by a student with a disability that resulted from negligent failure to provide a reasonable safe environment, failure to warn of known hazards, or failure to provide adequate supervision. Case law is presented to demonstrate the extent that school…

Noting that the persistence of unacceptable trends in kindergarten entry and placement practices narrows the curriculum in kindergarten and primary education, constricts equal educational opportunity, and curtails the exercise of professional responsibilities of early childhood educators, this position statement of the National Association of…

This publication is designed to assist teachers, parents, and administrators in understanding what the recently reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, both law and regulations, now requires, and how the provisions of both the law and regulations affect services and programs for children with disabilities. It provides information…

A study investigated (1) the everyday lives of Latino immigrant students at a large urban high school in the Southwest and (2) the educational program in place for this population. Subjects were 70 Latino students designated as limited-English-proficient (LEP) and placed in the freshman core English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program in their…

Presented in a question-and-answer format, this guide provides information to assist teachers of students with disabilities in writing quality Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Following an introduction explaining the purposes of the IEP, the guide is organized around seven important steps in creating IEPs: (1) describe the student; (2)…

Mental health professionals were interviewed to determine their priorities concerning curriculum logistics and the kind of student-volunteer-paraprofessionals they considered ideal. Results can be used by college instructors who wish to place students in clinical practicum programs. (CS)

During a merger, an Australian high school was designated as specializing in foreign languages and developed a program consisting of six languages (French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese). The program is described, focusing on admission policies, testing procedures, program design and administration, facilities, and…

Examines areas of concern that impact the psychologist's role in working with exceptional children: (1) conditions that are considered crucial for the development of teams, (2) the literature regarding psychologists' input to school-based teams, and (3) reactions of school-based team members to such an approach. (Author)

The academic and emotional needs of students who enter college early are discussed, based on studies done of students at Simon's Rock College. The concept of early college admission is defended on the grounds that some students are emotionally and academically ready for college after only two years of high school. (JSR)