This paper reviews the effectiveness of music therapy in treating children with psychiatric and developmental problems. The clinical utility of music therapy is first evaluated by examining the foundational effects of music on affect and behavior. Next, the two broad approaches to music therapy, active and passive music therapy, are discussed.…

This research report discusses findings from descriptive studies that investigated the context and outcomes of educational programs for students with disabilities who were expected to receive standard high-school diplomas. The nine high schools included three in urban areas, three in suburban areas, and three in rural areas. Principals, special…

The eighth in a series of studies investigating the educational context and outcomes for high school students with disabilities (SWDs), this study examined parents' perceptions of the educational program of their children with disabilities. Ten parents of students with disabilities participated in focus groups and provided their ideas and opinions…

This handbook provides a guide to assist African American parents of children with learning disabilities to become advocates for their children and raise awareness about learning differences. An introductory section notes the disproportionate risk of African American boys for being labeled mentally retarded and placed in special education. The…

This publication, written in Spanish, examines the requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that mandates that all children with disabilities have available to them special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living. It investigates what…

The New Mexico State Department of Education received a federal grant to provide educational and assistive technology for American Indian children living in the Pueblos of Laguna and Acoma, New Mexico. During the 2-year project, more than 229 assistive technology items were purchased, and some form of assistive technology was provided to 121…

This paper discusses the difficulties many school districts have in fully complying with the assistive technology requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), especially the broadened requirement in IDEA 97 to consider the need for assistive technology in developing each Individualized Education Program for students with…

A gap in standardized achievement-test scores among different groups of students has existed since the inception of standardized testing. The gap between white and African-American schoolchildren was the primary impetus behind much of the social policy devoted to desegregating schools in the second half of the past century. Through a combination…

The Council of the Great City Schools prepared this report to summarize findings and recommendations that the organization's Strategic Support Teams made during visits to the Richmond Public Schools in the Fall 2003. These teams were requested by the Richmond schools' superintendent and funded by the U.S. Department of Education to review school…

The journey for children who are gifted and talented can be exciting and challenging. There are so many twists and turns, detours, and confusing signs that many parents feel they need some sort of road map to guide their children on this journey. Because each child is different, there is no one road map to follow. What this handbook can offer…

This review of the current literature on second language learning was to inform the following four questions: (1) what are the effects of learning a second language on the first language? (2) What is the role of content instruction in offering a second language? (3) What are the effects of learning a second language on students with special needs?…

Now in its fourth edition, this highly respected, bestselling textbook gives undergraduate and graduate students up-to-the-minute research and strategies for educating children with severe and multiple disabilities. This popular core text--for 15 years, a staple of teacher training programs in special education and related fields--thoroughly…

Just in time for the implementation of new IDEA regulations, this fourth edition of a landmark text brings together the most up-to-date, comprehensive information on facilitating transitions for young people with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities. Teaming with the best-known researchers in the fields of employment, transition, postsecondary…

This paper provides cross-site policy analysis of themes related to state education reform and the impact of state educational reforms on students with disabilities and special education programs. It analyzes state-level reforms in the general education policy areas of curriculum, assessment, accountability, teacher development, and governance and…

The overrepresentation of students of color referred for special education in New York City was studied using data taken from the New York City Board of Education for 813 elementary and middle schools and 102 high schools. Analyses were based on Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students. The racial and ethnic disproportion of special education…