This guide provides an approach to assist public schools and adult service agencies in designing programs that will maximize the ability of severely disabled students to function in non-sheltered vocational environments. The guide is composed of a list of questions to be used in a self-evaluation process; the questions concern needs assessment,…

The report contains descriptive results of a study of special education operations in 33 city school systems. Results were organized according to seven themes: (1) variation in local implementation in Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act; (2) magnitude of the referral, evaluation, and placement process; (3) limited…

In order to ensure the continued quality of education in the University of Wisconsin System (UWS), a study of its future was undertaken. A crucial priority for the future of this system is to maintain the high quality for which it has gained national reputation. Following a fiscal review, the five sections of the report focus on: (1) educational…

This annotated bibliography of publications and documents on special education services lists items available from government sources in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). Section I lists five publications on the topics of policy, procedures, legislation, student rights, and program standards. Section II lists 40 resources focusing primarily on…

A survey of colleges was conducted to identify those colleges that offer programs for the learning disabled, and the survey results are compiled in this directory of 83 programs. Each program description includes the college's name, address, and telephone number; program title; fees charged to the student for special services; name, title, and…

Children with disabilities and their families tend to interact with numerous human services agencies, but often no formal mechanisms exist to coordinate the agencies' services. The Concurrent Services Model was developed and pilot tested to meet this need. Strategies are offered to ensure that interactions among agencies become more efficient and…

Statistical information about the services offered to disabled students over a 5-year span on college and university campuses nationwide is provided, and the results of the study and their implications for service providers are discussed. As an increased number of disabled students exercise their rights to higher education, campus service…

A program, Team Approach to Assessment and Programming (TAPP), to provide services to deaf blind and otherwise severely handicapped students in rural areas, is described. The project was designed to increase the number of severely handicapped students being served in integrated, age-appropriate local settings by expanding the capacity of local…

Sophisticated database management systems (DBMS) for microcomputers are becoming increasingly easy to use, allowing small school districts to develop their own autonomous databases for tracking enrollment and student progress in special education. DBMS applications can be designed for maintenance by district personnel with little technical…

The Special Education Program at West Virginia University offers graduate degree/teacher certification programs in mental retardation, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders. Practicum experiences are included in the program, and have created a need for faculty supervision that could not be met by existing resources. A program was designed…

Project LIFT is a 3-year model demonstration program designed to provide family-focused, home-based early intervention services to rural parents of handicapped children under 3 years of age. The LIFT model encompasses: (1) development of an Individual Family Service Plan, (2) case coordination to assist families in identifying and obtaining…

A needs assessment instrument was developed to identify training competencies for rural special education teachers in Louisiana. The 49-item questionnaire addressed such issues as the curriculum offered by the teacher education program as well as the personal and professional characteristics necessary for success in the rural classroom. The…

This paper, one of a series of topic papers assessing federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities, addresses the issue of housing. Major federal responsibilities are to develop additional housing opportunities for persons with disabilities and to assure that currently available housing is equally open to individuals with…

A study examined the effects of students' intellectual and physical characteristics on the nonverbal behavior of vocational teachers. During the study, 30 female vocational typing teachers were randomly assigned to teach a five-minute minilesson to 15 handicapped students and 15 students who were not handicapped. Both high- and low-achieving…

This assessment of the effectiveness of federal service mandates in addressing equal education goals considers the effects and policy implications of existing and theoretical mandate types. The service mandate is a legal requirement (not contingent upon federal financial aid) that states or districts provide educational services satisfying federal…