This study identified critical factors in two states as they begin to develop family centered policies for the Infant and Toddlers Program as required by Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focused on the Individual Family Service Plan, the identification of families' strengths and needs, and case management. Data were…

This paper proposes that those who make policy for individuals with severe disabilities ought to evaluate current actions and frame proposed changes according to whether these changes protect or increase citizens' opportunities to build inclusive community by establishing suitable position and priority for adequate government investment. Such…

This discussion paper, which addresses the abuse of children in residential establishments, is presented in outline form and includes comments and contributions from a wide range of professionals working in various settings. An introduction notes the reported increase in sexual abuse of children in institutions, a variety of proposed monitoring…

This monograph presents the plan of the Intra-Agency Council of the New York State Department of Education to increase physical and programmatic accessibility of all Department programs and services. First, the mission and goals of the Council as well as its activities are briefly reviewed. Next, the process for developing the department plan is…

Test misuse is neither isolated nor recent. It is a problem that cannot be easily solved. While test misuse may be reduced or managed, it cannot be eliminated. Test misuse has cut across America's social, economic, and political institutions, including schools. The most flagrant abuse of a test is what happens to the results of the Scholastic…

This briefing document summarizes issues on simplifying need analysis and delivery in the context of Higher Education Act reauthorization proposals. First, brief summaries of seven key issues are presented followed by three or four recommendations for each issue, and a list of recommended actions as proposed by the Department of Education and the…

This report outlines issues related to special education and changes in its role brought about by the restructuring of schools. Discussions of proposed policy options accompany the descriptions of each issue. The issues are in addition to those described in an earlier University of Maryland issues and policy options paper. The first issue is…

In today's political, economic, and ecologically-sensitive climate a university's or college's indiscriminate acceptance of gifts can have catastrophic consequences. Some donations of cash or even real property can bring with them legal and political, as well as ethical and philosophical complications that can cost the institution considerable…

This report responds to the 1992 Virginia General Assembly's request of the State Council of Higher Education to "study the efficacy and appropriateness of establishing a prepaid tuition trust program within the Commonwealth's system of higher education." They asked that the study include, at least, an examination of programs in other…

This paper discusses the development of an equity board that grew out of an ad hoc gender issues committee at Walsh College in Ohio. The document discusses the history and background of the equity board. The original committee members expanded their focus to produce a discrimination policy. This policy was designed to fulfill two major purposes:…

This document for school-council members in Kentucky provides guidelines for school-based decision making (SBDM). In 1990, the Kentucky State legislature passed the Education Reform Act (KERA), which mandated SBDM in Kentucky schools and recommended the formation of school councils composed of the principal, three teachers, and two parents. The…

California's Education Code establishes the goals of distance learning to be to ensure equal access; enhance the quality of education through telecommunications; and ensure efficiency and accountability. In California community colleges, state-supported distance education coursework is limited to credit, transferable courses and is governed by…

This document presnts a series of lesson plans on the subject of illegal drugs. Each lesson plan includes readings, discussion questions, and other activities that teachers can use to help students understand the problems surrounding drugs and to work toward solutions. Units include: (1) "Problems and Proposals"; (2) "Assessing Public Opinion:…

The contribution of school health programs to disease prevention among children and youth has included immunizations, screenings, referrals, and in some instances, treatment for potentially health-threatening conditions. State and community policymakers, as well as children and youth advocates, have been prompted to consider a broader role for…

This "Policy Note" highlights new information about youth crime and prevention that suggest that California has a unique opportunity over the next several years to invest in new preventive approaches for reducing youth violence. Several surveys by the California Center for Health Improvement (CCHI) have documented that Californians share…