This paper describes the activities and outcomes of a program in literacy education for the deaf funded by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. The "L.E.A.D." program began in El Paso, Texas, on September 1, 1995, and ceased operations on July 31, 1997. The program was designed to improve communication in economically disadvantaged…

This report summarizes 48 states' current policies on the participation of students with disabilities in large-scale assessments and the accommodations noted in state policies as available for those students. In developing the summary, changes in state assessment policies were also checked. Charts in the report provide information on presentation…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a 4-year federally funded project to improve the capacity of state, regional, and local educational services to meet the needs of learners with deaf-blindness and their families throughout the state of Tennessee. The project provided individualized technical assistance and support to…

Public consultations had revealed that access to education was a significant concern in rural and remote areas of Australia, particularly in relation to ongoing economic decline. In response, the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission initiated the National Inquiry into Rural and Remote Education. The inquiry took evidence at…

This study investigated the effects of a video-based training program on the quantity and quality of family involvement in special education, perceptions of both family members and educators concerning parental competence as team members, and family members' satisfaction with their own involvement, team processes, and decisions made by the team.…

This report examines the outcomes of the John M. McKay Scholarships Program, a statewide voucher program for students with disabilities in Florida that provides students with taxpayer-funded vouchers to be used at private schools or at other public schools. It argues that the McKay voucher program, which started in 1999, is rife with…

This guidebook is intended to assist the transition of Colorado students with developmental disabilities from school to post-school activities by promoting flexible and collaborative planning and service delivery among community-centered boards (CCBs), local education agencies, and other state and community agencies. First, a definition of…

In December 2001, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) brought together representatives of 17 advocacy groups who are concerned about the provision of positive behavioral supports and mental health services for students with significant social, behavioral and/or emotional needs. The agenda for this group…

This guide to planning for transition from school to work for middle school or high school students with disabilities in California is intended to assist parents, teachers, and other service providers in coordinating person-centered transition planning and services. The first section examines requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities…

This final report describes the activities and outcomes of a service coordination outreach project designed to assist states in meeting their urgent needs for qualified and appropriately trained personnel to carry out their new roles as service coordinators in the provision and coordination of early intervention services as stipulated in federal…

Researchers report that fundamental reform is under way in perhaps one-third of Chicago public schools, involving more than 100,000 students. These sketches of schools where restructuring is taking place provide some clues to fundamental questions about educational change. The Chicago School Reform Act of 1988 established local school councils and…

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), ICW Employment Services of Indiana County, ARIN Intermediate Unit #28, and Indiana County Vo-Tech cooperated in a 1-year pilot project to explore employment opportunities for rural high school seniors with mild disabilities. These agencies created a four-tier program that included job preparation, job…

The National Center for Education Statistics conducted a survey of 1,843 public elementary schools that focused on both general education and special education prekindergarten characteristics of the students, classes, personnel, funding sources, and support services. This document summarizes findings relating to prekindergarten special education…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of a project that provided training on the Paraeducator Supervision Academy (PSA) Model (curriculum, instructional materials, and supervision of paraprofessionals) to faculty who will prepare future school professionals. Training was provided to faculty and preservice students in schools and…

This digest describes the challenges of social skills instruction and provides three strategies for improving the social competence of all students, including children with disabilities. It begins by emphasizing the importance of teaching individual social skills within the context of establishing a school-wide culture of social competence. To…