Immersion programmes in primary schools have gained more and more recognition over the last decades. Every new immersion school faces the problem of providing a concept which will be put into practise with the help of personnel who have normally not been trained specifically for this task. The purpose of this guide is to answer frequently asked…

The manual is designed to help Washington state school districts and multidisciplinary assessment teams comply with state and federal rules and regulations regarding assessment of preschool handicapped children. The introductory section focuses on the developmental characteristics of the preschool child. Eligibility criteria in cognitive,…

Four papers focus on the processes involved in developing a community team for providng services to handicapped preschoolers. Jerry Elder and Elynor Kazuk review steps in beginning a community team approach in "Getting Started," including the mechanics of planning and conducting an initial meeting to explain the advantages of collaborative…

Designed to help state administrators acquaint local educators and parents to the importance of short- and long-term planning for young handicapped children, the paper examines issues for local planning teams. An introductory section provides an overview of the challenge of working with young handicapped children. Five interactive planning…

This article discusses: the concept of team interaction as it relates to early intervention with young special needs children, the evolution of the family's role on the team, and principles and practices for team development of the Individualized Family Service Plan. Examples of exemplary family-focused principles and practices are provided. (JDD)

This information sheet summarizes findings from two reports: "Staffing Patterns and Team Models in Infancy Programs" by Jeanette McCollum and Mary-alayne Hughes, and "Early Intervention Team Approaches: The Transdisciplinary Model" by Geneva Woodruff and Mary McGonigel. The digest outlines the provisions of the Education of the…

The paper discusses the transdisciplinary model, an alternative approach for meeting the needs of children in early education programs for the handicapped. A brief review of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to providing services for such children is provided, and the limitations of the two approaches are examined. The…

This article reviews the literature on conflict resolution skills and applies it to local interagency coordinating councils attempting to coordinate services to young children with special needs and their families. Six dimensions (climate, people, resources, agency, process, and policies) of the collaborative process are identified. (Author/DB)

This guidebook was developed for early childhood administrators and consultants who provide services to support the integration of children with disabilities into preschool classrooms. It provides practical information on finding and hiring the best consultants, unraveling the special education and third-party payor resources that support…

Sound management principles can help ensure that early childhood programs provide sound services to children and families. This document contains three training modules detailing fundamental management concepts to help Head Start staff and parents provide quality services. Module 1, "What is Management?" helps participants recognize how…

This bulletin is intended to share research-based promising practices with educators including family members, teachers, building administrators, and paraprofessionals. Using a question-and-answer format, it discusses the definition of positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) and characteristics of PBIS. Program characteristics include:…

This paper presents the requirements for family participation on multidisciplinary teams under Public Law 99-457, reviews literature on family participation on teams working with handicapped children, identifies factors that influence team functioning, and suggests how team members can facilitate family involvement. (Author/JDD)

The Parent Transition Plan ensures a child's smooth transition from preschool to public school kindergarten and assigns responsibility for various tasks to parents or school personnel. This article outlines the need for a transition plan, the goals of transition planning, and guidelines for writing the plan at a parent-teacher meeting. (JDD)

This manual is intended to assist families of young children with disabilities in their child's transition from early intervention services to preschool or other educational services at age 3. It provides information about the transition process, federal and state laws that apply to transition, and options for services and program placements. The…

Intended for parents of infants and preschoolers with visual impairments, this booklet encourages parent involvement in all aspects of educational programming for their children and provides guidelines for selection of a suitable program. The first section examines the stresses involved during transitions from one program to another. Parents are…