This study investigated parents' perceived levels of involvement and satisfaction in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) planning process. Approximately half of the 98 parents interviewed expressed high levels of satisfaction with their involvement in their children's educational planning process, although 26 percent expressed definite…

This article presents recommendations for transition planning assessment for secondary students with learning disabilities. It proposes redirecting assessment practices to obtain present-level-of-functioning information for Individualized Education Program planning that extends beyond high school graduation. Current assessment procedures that…

Discusses requirements specified in the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that pertain to functional behavioral assessment, as well as positive behavioral intervention plans and supports as they relate to the responsibilities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and to the IEP itself. (CR)

Criticizes the process of making statements of special educational needs for students with disabilities. Statementing is argued to have led to schools' demands for special resources for activities seen as outside of the ordinary and to have increased the number of children with statements of special needs. (CR)

School districts are on safer legal ground if they recommend appropriate educational services for each special-needs child, convene parents and school personnel for Individual Education Plan meetings, make placement decisions based on individualized, thorough evaluations; document alternative options; develop behavior-management programs, and use…

This paper describes a one-year small-scale action-research project to identify the skills required by pupils (and teachers) to participate in individual program planning in a school for children with severe learning difficulties. A procedure was developed for the assessment of pupil readiness for full involvement in the target- setting process.…

This study evaluated the effects of teaching four high school students with moderate mental retardation a modified version of "Self- Directed IEP," a multi-media package designed to teach the skills needed to manage their own individualized education program (IEP) meetings. Results indicated a functional relationship between the information taught…

Interviews with 29 incarcerated youth revealed significant differences in their knowledge of their Individualized Education Program transition plans. Those who took career classes had more knowledge about job searching, application, and interviewing. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

The Roeper School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational day school for gifted children that was founded in 1941. Admission criteria include parent and student interviews, student observation, and individual testing by a psychologist. The current emphasis on accountability and outcome measurements may be more about what governments…

This study determined school-level curricular, assessment, and accountability policies and practices in private and public day treatment and residential schools for elementary-age children with emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD). A national random sample of 271 (56.45%) principals and 229 (47.70%) teachers responded to a mail survey. No…

A collaborative team of a teacher-consultant, state education agency associate, and university faculty member facilitated a workshop and monthly inquiry group meetings to support teachers' implementation of student-led Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Through participant-observation and grounded theory analytic methods, we examined issues…

It is common practice for music educators to be responsible for teaching students with special learning needs who have been included in the general education classroom. But how do music teachers know if they are providing meaningful instructional experiences for these children? This article suggests methods to guide music educators toward…

This article describes a process to encourage student-led Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and student ownership for their own education. Sections address preparing for the IEP meeting and research results on students' involvement. Insets summarize three levels of student involvement, relevant sections of the Individuals with…

Successful and meaningful transition services are the result of careful planning. This planning is driven by a young person's dreams, desires, and abilities. It builds a youth's participation in school, home and community living. Transition planning helps to prepare young people for their futures. It helps them to develop skills they need to go on…

Before a child receives special education or related services, he or she must have an evaluation. The evaluation will help determine if a child needs special education. A parent or a member of the school staff may make the request for an evaluation. The child's parent must give consent in writing for the first evaluation. The evaluation will…