Describes individualized professional development activities for rural teachers based on plans developed from taking the Job Motivation Assessment Survey, analyzed by the program coordinator, and then set forth on a brief worksheet document for reference. (AH)

Provides a rationale for obtaining evaluative feedback concerning the perceived usefulness of school psychological reports and their impact on the development of individual educational plans. Research data and authoritative opinion support the need for feedback on a case-by-case basis. A working copy of a brief evaluation form is included. (Author)

As its name implies, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was full of promise for handicapped students and their parents. The authors examine the gap between the philosophy and the reality of six promises made in P.L. 94-142. (Part of a theme issue on mainstreaming.) (Editor/SJL)

An integrated home/school program model for training parents of young handicapped children was evaluated by 26 participating mothers. Parents reported a high level of satisfaction with each of the components of the program, which included videotaped practice teaching sessions by the parent and coordination of home and school efforts. (CL)

In a case concerning a Michigan public school and several students who spoke Black English, the court concluded that the school board had not taken appropriate action to overcome the language barrier which impeded the Black students' equal participation in the instructional program. (JN)

In describing the process for developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for handicapped children, the author focuses on the need for teamwork and effective communication between Child Study Team members, teachers, and parents. (SJL)

One approach that has proved to be effective in providing prevocational training to the deaf-blind and severely handicapped is the continuum concept. This concept emphasizes the individual's movement from the educational setting into an appropriate community-based vocational environment. (JN)

The individualized education program (IEP) management system used with elementary educable mentally retarded students in Dubach, Louisiana, includes two types of short term objectives, six organizational components, and two basic recording forms. The system is designed to actively involve students, parents, and teachers in planning and monitoring.…

Thirty-six parents of students with disabilities who had exited high school 6 to 12 months earlier, were interviewed to examine perceptions of their participation in their child's final Individualized Education Program/transition planning meeting. A majority reported they participated in a variety of ways and were satisfied with their…

This study evaluated the social goals and objectives in 163 Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of preschool children in early childhood special education settings, using 3 federal criteria for evaluating quality of objectives: specification of setting, measurability, and criterion for success. Results indicated IEPs were lacking both in the…

This commentary on the quantity and quality of Individualized Education Program (IEP) objectives dealing with social competence in preschoolers with disabilities focuses on whether IEP goals and objectives are meaningful for achieving a functional effect, influencing social competence beyond the specific skill, and influencing the child's…

This article examines the provision of effective services for students with emotional or behavioral disorders and recommends a broad spectrum of individualized interventions. A theoretical framework is provided and specific components to be included in an effective behavior change plan are described. A sample individualized education program is…

Cites the example of a 4-year-old with Down syndrome attending an inclusive early childhood program to illustrate how the ecological assessment and planning process is used to individualize instruction. Includes a list of the child' IEP goals and objectives, a copy of the ecological planning form, and a description of adaptations and arrangements.…

A study of 22 students with mental retardation and their families evaluated the impact of person-centered planning activities on several variables related to a student's individual education program/transition planning meeting. Person-centered planning had a significant effect on parent participation in meetings, but not on discussion of…

Interviews with 17 key informants and surveys of 278 schools in Scotland explored policy and practices related to parent and student participation in the development and implementation of individualized educational programs (IEPs). While finding such participation desirable, education professionals did not agree on what constitutes participation,…