This article addresses legal concerns regarding the use of level systems to manage students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Concerns pertain to a failure to individualize the program, including restricted access to the least restrictive environment, curricular issues, and procedural concerns. A decision-making model to aid in designing…

This study compared two methods for evaluating ecological and developmental factors in Individualized Family Service Plans for families of young children with disabilities. The two methods were (1) goals and objectives written from a curriculum-based assessment, and (2) a computerized list of goals and objectives based on professional judgment.…

This paper discusses the elements of a management program to foster the development of speech production in children and youth with hearing impairments. Emphasis is on sensory management, experiential enrichment, and individual instruction. General cautions (e.g., avoid tension) are also offered. (DB)

Reviews core values which form the basis for person-centered planning. Looking to the future, the authors then examine key system and skill problems, suggesting solutions where possible. Concludes that more emphasis must be paid to specific traits of individual clients, and that shifts in power relationships must occur in keeping with the model's…

Describes the one-to-one integrated tutoring and therapy offered to gifted underachievers at a learning clinic in the United Kingdom. The approach centers on respect for the self and focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses. Case studies illustrate the counseling philosophies, procedures, and strategies. (DB)

Describes the Learning Support Center (LSC), an inclusive program that provides support services to at-risk and marginal high school students. The LSC uses nontraditional staffing (including sources from outside the school), establishes schoolwide ownership via staff involvement, and uses educational instruments such as the Personalized Learning…

Argues that universal tertiary education in Australia is hampered by the country's binary system which separates tertiary education into higher education and vocational education and training sectors. Describes the application of an alternative model at Victoria University of Technology, a dual-sector university which has introduced personalized…

Examines issues arising from Careers Service refocusing its work with the 'disaffected' in the UK, with particular attention to preventive work with the under 16s as a new direction for careers practitioners. Discusses the extent to which 'inclusion' is likely to be achieved via enhanced guidance. Suggests that guidance is ineffective if it fails…

Individual plans for people with intellectual disabilities were evaluated for quality and effectiveness in improving quality of life. Quality was assessed by rating whether goals were relevant, observable, age appropriate, necessary, timetabled, developmental, measurable, realistic, assigned to staff and improving at least one of O'Brien's five…

Under United States federal law, students who are in special education are guaranteed the right to attend school, but their education will vary depending upon their disability and their independent goals that are developed in a contract between the school and the parents called an Individual Educational Plan or IEP. Students with moderate/severe…

Because the virtual public school landscape is relatively new--and changing and expanding at such a rapid rate--very little is known about how these schools are currently serving students with disabilities. The purpose of this document is to describe how state-level virtual public school programs are serving students with disabilities and to…

Recent research has suggested that the professional development general educators receive is not adequately preparing them to properly implement inclusion-based practices. In this study, data from the Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education was used to investigate the relationship among teachers' years of experience teaching students with…

This article features Melmark New England, a private, nonprofit, community based organization dedicated to serving children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, acquired brain injury, neurological diseases and disorders, and severe challenging behaviors. The Melmark parent corporation, a Pennsylvania based provider of services for those…

Appropriate physical education is a mandated part of a child's Individual Educational Program (IEP). It is not optional, nor should parents want it to be optional. This is the time in the day for the child to develop in a variety of ways that are very important to healthy living for the rest of his or her life. The purpose of physical education is…

William is 9 years of age, residing with his parent within the boundaries of an unnamed district ("the District"). As a student with autism he is eligible for special education programming and services. There was one issue presented for this due process hearing: What was the appropriate program and placement for him for the 2008-2009 school year?…