This article describes rural and remote teacher training in low incidence (LI) disabilities through an alternative teaching pathway (ATP) and the efforts of one university's ATP program to address the ongoing critical special education teacher shortage in rural and remote school districts. The impact of the federal investment in…

Graduating from high school and moving to the next phase of life can be difficult for any student but is particularly so for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social and communication difficulties, sensory concerns, and narrow interests can negatively affect these students' opportunity for postsecondary education and employment. Preparing…

Transition education is a distinctive aspect of special education that extends well beyond the boundaries of the school building, engages partners from all corners of the local community, and addresses so many different life domains. In the midst of a pandemic, creative strategies are needed to equip students with the skills, knowledge,…

In the spring of 2020, public schools across the United States were forced to close their campuses due to an emerging public health crisis caused by the detection of the first cases of the COVID-19 virus. Although schools closed their buildings, the delivery of educational services did not stop. This included the ongoing provision of services…

The Montana Autism Education Project (MAEP), that started in 2010, aimed to: (a) increase teacher knowledge of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), (b) provide on-site technical assistance and peer-to-peer collaboration, (c) develop sustainable support for teachers across Montana, and (d) develop inter-agency collaboration between the project and…

Examines issues in the transition of young disabled children between programs: ignorance or misinformation about available resources; eligibility criteria; interagency information exchange; and advance planning. Provides a troubleshooting guide to help agencies evaluate transition procedures. Discusses interagency assessment models and tools to…

Discusses movement toward interagency cooperation for service delivery for handicapped, emphasizing importance of preservice education. Describes special education course at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Course designed to encourage communication of knowledge, attitudes, and coordination of skills in service delivery. Suggests new directions…

During five years of operation, the Montana Projects with Industry program assisted 65 people with severe disabilities to obtain and maintain community employment. Strategies that contribute to positive employment opportunities are described, and continuing challenges in enhancing and expanding supported employment services in rural areas are…

Survey of 84 school and agency professionals in 8 school districts in Arkansas showed positive perceptions of demonstration transition programs in their schools. Although all participants indicated transition topics were discussed more frequently and interagency planning and collaboration had improved, special education teachers were less likely…

Project LINCS (Linking Infants in Need with Comprehensive Services) is based on a process orientation to the delivery of comprehensive services for rural handicapped infants and their families. Effective regional-community linkage is developed by community analysis, community entree, formal linkage development, formal structured interaction, and…

Child development happens within the social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic contexts of a particular place, but researchers and policy makers describe best practice in the field as if one size fits all. An early interventionist's experience illustrates how ruralness and community characteristics impact practice. Collaboration…

A survey of 24 members of school-level transition teams in four rural school districts examined the effectiveness of teams and barriers to transition success. Results support the need for improved postschool case management and follow-up services. Results also show a strong relationship between written transition policy and procedures and…

Describes the Wyoming Infant Stimulation Program (WISP) and its numerous collaborative activities with federal, state, and local agencies including the Agricultural Extension Service and maternal and child health programs. Notes that successful collaboration was informal and involved cooperation on specific, discrete joint projects responding to…

Sums up the contributions of Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) and explains recent changes brought about by Public Law 98-199, which mandates state-level comprehensive service delivery systems and emphasizes interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration. Notes 102 demonstration projects, 28 outreach projects, and…

Strategies for educating students with low-incidence disabilities in rural schools include inclusion, peer- and community-referenced curriculum, student-centered educational planning, instruction in actual performance settings, positive behavioral support, and transdisciplinary teams. In Utah, the state office of education, universities, and…