Special education categories for mildly handicapped students are not reliable nor valid as indicators of particular forms of education. Their use is expensive and inefficient, causing disjointedness in school programs. A program of pilot projects is recommended in conjunction with regular educators to redesign categorical programs and policies.…

Four general issues in migrant students' educational problems are discussed: access to services, availability of services, appropriateness of services, and continuity of services. The importance of changing educational policies in order to provide services to migrants is discussed, and statutes of six states which serve migrant students are…

This article explores the current status in the United States of support to families who care for children with disabilities at home. It summarizes essential program features, program effects, and outstanding issues (such as, ensuring family involvement in policy formation, sufficient funding, and system collaboration). (DB)

The improvement of transition services for handicapped youth through effective management strategies in service planning and coordination is proposed. Current barriers include conflicting policy goals, eligibility criteria, and funding patterns. Needed are consistent policy development, formulation of effective management strategies, and…

Five assumptions are inferred from the literature concerning the roles and responsibilities of elementary regular classroom teachers in educating low-performing children. These assumptions are used to define the target group of students most aptly served in regular classrooms. Models of partnership between regular education and specialized…

The article examines the current emphasis on collaboration among educational services and institutions and warns that collaboration should not be an end in itself but must serve the child. Special educators are encouraged to let structure follow function in collaborative efforts and to put the point of delivery as close to the child as possible.…

An interview with four leaders (L. Brown, A. Halpern, S. Hasazi, and P. Wehman) on the conceptualization and implementation of transition programming for handicapped students focuses on such issues as the role of political factors, the possibility of effective school/adult service agency coordination, the importance of social skills, and emerging…

Special educators are urged to prepare for the increasing numbers of children disabled due to maternal drug use. Encouraged are interagency coordination, increased data collection, personnel preparation, renewed emphasis on "child find" and individualized education programs, and overcoming political resistance to service expansions. (DB)

The article describes differences between consultation and collaboration among special education and regular classroom teachers and makes the argument that collaboration deserves far greater attention in current attempts to redefine relationships between specialists and teachers in the schools. (Author/DB)

A national agenda for the education of gifted students should focus on three areas of unmet needs: the educational needs of the underserved gifted, including underachievers, young gifted, and culturally diverse gifted; a program quality support network, emphasizing research, development, demonstration, and leadership training; and collaborative…

This position paper proposes an expanded definition of transition, based on common components of early childhood and secondary perspectives. It advocates for a seamless model of transition service delivery for students with disabilities, including program planning, from birth through age 21. The model addresses curriculum, location of services,…