When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997, it authorized an evaluation to track progress at the state and local levels on the legislative goals of IDEA. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) commissioned a national longitudinal study, the Study of State and Local…

Focus groups were used to examine the needs of students taking a computer adaptive math assessment. The assessment designed using universal design and item response theory. Focus groups included teachers, administrators, child advocacy groups, and 3rd grade students and parents from the following groups: students with disabilities, students in…

The importance of education to the successful operation of a democratic government was fully realized by the Fathers of the Republic. Franklin and Jefferson were particularly active in the promotion of education. Within the century, education has become America's largest single business. It is only within the last two decades, however, that…

The committee on teachers' salaries and cost of living of the National Educational Association deems itself fortunate in securing the cooperation of the Bureau of Education of the United States in publishing this bulletin on the actual salaries paid to teachers in elementary, secondary, and higher grades in all parts of the United States. It was…

Reports on a survey of services provided to students with disabilities at 28 community colleges and 39 vocational schools in Florida. Classifies services in seven categories: counseling services, equipment supports, campus environment, student-centered supports, developmental labs, course flexibility, and unique programs. Includes 6 data tables…

Describes how a task force of parents, teacher educators, and community agency and public school personnel were supported in the inclusion process through a one-year Institute on Inclusion. The paper examines this adult development effort, noting that surveys of participants indicated that effective development increased their comfort level with…

This article describes the development of a four-year course sequence in assistive technology (AT). Course participants learned how to assess student needs for AT, what AT devices were available, and how to make decisions within the individualized education program (IEP) team process. Major topical sections were data-gathering frameworks, legal…

In an interview, the president of the National Education Association (NEA) discusses issues in higher education, including the NEA's role, relationships between higher education and elementary-secondary education, professionalism and the union, technological advancement, the role of postsecondary education, allocation of educational resources,…

This article describes the rationale for implementing dual preparation partnership programs, the characteristics of the University of Hawaii at Manoa dual preparation partnership programs in elementary and secondary education, the implementation and assessment of the first elementary dual preparation cohort, and the resulting modifications to the…

This article identifies and analyzes specific environmental, psychosocial, and economic factors adversely affecting childrens' well-being. Contemporary outcomes, including adolescent homicide and suicide, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, developmental exceptionalities, and other health hazards, are considered. Adolescent pregnancy,…

Reviews the four articles in this special theme issue. Relates the articles to a broadened understanding of the concept of integration and its implications for education in the next century. (FMW)

Analyzes the treatment of language and reading disabilities of 10 bilingual students receiving integrated bilingual special education. The study compares the achievement between the experimental group and a similar control group who did not receive the treatment. (24 references) (CK)

Maintains that children with disabilities increasingly are attending schools and classrooms they would attend if they did not have disabilities. Reports that educational research indicates little evidence that ability grouping improves academic achievement among these students. (CFR)

The use of coaching to bring research-based teaching practices into general education classrooms to improve reading instruction for students with learning disabilities is explored. Twelve elementary teachers were trained and mentored by consultants and two special education coaches. Special and general educators conceptualized teaching differently…

A special-education paradigm looks at students as individuals, substantially involves parents, documents individual student's needs and achievement, and operates under judicial oversight. Regular education is premised upon group learning and instruction, political rather than legal accountability, and a local or statewide power source. (84…