Individualized education programs (IEPs) reflect the spirit of individualized instruction that lies at the heart of special education. Quality annual goal statements, which propel the implementation of special education programming, use clear language to communicate measurable, meaningful, and standards-aligned expectations to all members of the…

Under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act Amendments of 2004, special educators and related services personnel are required to support a child with disabilities in the setting deemed the least restrictive and most natural for that particular child. There is considerable variation in the consultation experiences and skills…

Describes a program in Dayton (Ohio) to train regular teachers, special education teachers, and school psychologists, counselors, or administrators to work cooperatively in planning the best mainstreaming situation for individual students. (Author/WD)

This paper clarifies vocabulary in the area of collaboration in schools, describes characteristics of collaboration, and outlines a set of principles. Principles explain that collaboration is not a prerequisite in most school programs, may occur informally, requires time to develop, is not a panacea, and may raise ethical issues for special…

With so many complex, challenging, and emotionally charged decisions involved, participating in an IEP meeting can seem like navigating through a minefield. But now there is a practical guide to managing these meetings with a high level of awareness, safety, and confidence. Developed for administrators, teachers, resource professionals, and…

Explanations are provided about Maine's special education, vocational education, vocational rehabilitation, and eye care programs and services, to assist teachers and counselors to understand better the mission, eligibility requirements, and service resources each brings to the planning process for students with handicaps. The guidelines were…

This manual is designed to help schools in the development, implementation, and evaluation of activities that assist individuals with special needs in making vertical transitions from school to postsecondary training or employment and horizontal transitions between the school, home, and community. It presents, in section 1, a model that…

To facilitate the least restrictive education of handicapped children required by Public Law 94-142, special educators are encouraged to cooperate with regular classroom teachers in meeting the needs of handicapped children. An outline of eight suggestions for developing communication skills and effective consultation techniques focuses on being…

In this cooperative agreement, Maine's Division of Special Education, Bureau of Adult and Secondary Vocational Education, and Bureau of Rehabilitation (including the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Division of Eye Care) document their intent to develop collaboratively programs to provide educational, vocational, occupational, supportive,…

The purpose of this paper is to propose a format to implement an integrated team concept, the basic premises involved, the composition of the team, a training procedure, and finally, to share some of the results of such a program with handicapped clients at a rehabilitation facility. (Author)

Project KIT (Kids in Transition) of the Northern Trails Area Education Agency in Iowa assists in preparing for children's transition from early childhood special education programs to elementary regular/special education programs and transition from special education home intervention services to the preschool special education classroom. This…

A model is described that utilizes collaboration between sending and receiving programs to support parents through the transition from infant intervention to public preschool special education programs. Included are a timeline for parent services, a parents' worksheet to develop their child's individualized education program, and a list of parent…

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a strategy to involve the community in active participation in the development, amendment, and review of the local plan for special education. The CAC originated under the design of the California Master Plan for Special Education. The CAC brings together and supports parents and professionals, regular and…

This publication describes 12 outdoor education programs/centers serving persons with disabilities in their program curriculum. Each program is described in detail and each description includes an overview of purposes and goals, facility/site description, administration structure, program emphasis for disabled populations, and source of funding…

The purpose of this document is to identify the essential components of appropriate programming that are mandated by Alberta Education for students with special education needs, to provide examples of effective practices, to establish a common understanding of the terminology associated with this specialized field, and to clarify the meaning of…