This examination of individual transition plans (ITPs) for students with disabilities in New South Wales, Australia, looked at effectiveness of the system and procedures, and involvement of teachers in the development of the ITPs. It found that the numbers of written ITPs grew from 156 (56 percent of potential) in 1989 to 340 (74 percent) by June…

This document provides a side-by-side comparison of Virginia regulations governing special education programs, the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act, and the federal 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Differences and similarities are illustrated for sections relating to: (1) definitions; (2)…

These guidelines were prepared to provide direction toward implementing a functional instruction curriculum that leads to independence and occupational skills for Ohio's developmentally handicapped and multihandicapped students. The curriculum uses a three-part definition of adaptive behavior, involving independent functioning, personal…

Intended for parents of children with possible disabilities in Texas, these two combined booklets (one in English and one in Spanish) outline the step-by-step process qualifying the child for special education services and explain the parent's rights and responsibilities under federal and state law. Introductory material includes a letter to…

This descriptive study formulates a comprehensive picture of the structure, educational practices, and associated positive student outcomes of integrated programs for students with severe disabilities across a variety of California communities. Three of the seven participating programs represented the full inclusion model of integration…

This practicum focused on preventing referral to special education by meeting the needs of kindergarten and first grade children identified with behavioral or academic problems in the mainstream classroom. The practicum emphasized: (1) early identification of potentially dysfunctional children; (2) development of individual education plans…

This document describes: (1) the programs and environments that may be considered as general education environments for children with disabilities under the age of six, in addressing the least restrictive provisions of legislation; (2) the procedures to be followed in the process of developing individualized education program (IEP) goals and…

This paper discusses program evaluation as a condition for the receipt of federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focuses on some actual and potential linkages between effectiveness or outcome evaluation, implementation evaluation, compliance monitoring, and the concepts of program improvement and…

This "feature issue" provides various perspectives on a number of integrated education topics, including successful integration practices and strategies, the changing roles of teachers, the appropriate role of research, the history and future of integrated education, and the realization of dreams of life in the mainstream for children with severe…

The handbook is intended for the special education teacher and covers all aspects of mainstreaming according to the Monroe model, developed in Monroe County, Michigan. The model focuses on the special education teacher/consultant, who provides direct diagnostic and instructional services to special students, and indirect services to building…

This sourcebook was developed to assist in systematically integrating persons with autism into the community. It offers practical methods and considerations in assessing student and family interests and needs, assessing community resources to meet the needs, and assessing students in community sites. Based on the assessments, individual student…

A survey was sent to 1,153 Indiana special education teachers, special education directors, principals, and parents, and 447 usable responses were received. The purpose of the survey was to describe and assess current service delivery systems within Indiana for children with severe handicaps. Part One of the survey gathered data on: the types of…

Effects of family-oriented early intervention on the home environment were explored in a 6-month study of 23 handicapped children (ages birth to 5) and their families, who participated as members of an experimental or control group. The Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory was administered to evaluate differences in…

This report discusses a variety of K-12 educational programs in California that constitute alternatives to instruction at regular public schools. For each of the programs discussed, the report identifies pertinent issues and provides policy recommendations. The report contents are based on visits to 18 school districts and 8 offices of county…

Six school-based improvement programs distributed throughout the United States were studied in order to determine how effective these plans have been and what factors help or hinder them. The programs studied shared three central features: 1) focus on the school as a whole; 2) involvement of teachers in designing improvements; and 3) incorporation…