Spurred by the 1986 IDEA reauthorization, the movement toward collaborative, or blended, preservice early childhood personnel preparation now spans an impressive 30-year history. In this paper, we trace the evolution of blended preparation by applying a conceptual framework that situates the development of blended program identity within a…

The number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering mainstream public school classrooms is increasing. No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that these students be taught using research-based practices. There is, however, very little known about best practices in the public…

Education reform has been on a new path over the last 15 years; a path that leads to more accountability, more choice for students and parents, highly qualified teachers, as well as, best practices in instruction. In an effort to move along the path of reform and as a result of previous reform, the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA reviewed the field…

Since the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the total population of students with special needs being served in schools has risen from 5 percent in 1976 to 8.6 percent in 2006. One of the greatest ramifications of the passage of this education legislation is the push toward creating classrooms where all students…

Reading difficulties and disabilities present serious and potentially lifelong challenges. Children who do not read well are more likely to be retained a grade in school, drop out of high school, become a teen parent, or enter the juvenile justice system. Building on the extant research and seminal studies, including the National Reading Panel and…

Children often struggle in noisy classrooms. Many classrooms being planned duplicate acoustically inadequate 50-year-old designs that cannot accommodate group learning and hands-on science. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, which enforces Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regulations, has been asked to…

The focus of this article is to provide practical tools to assist secondary special educators and English teachers to more effectively meet the needs of students with disabilities in the area of English/Language Arts. The articles focuses on ideas that emerged as two teacher educators brought together 6-12 English and special education preservice…

Reviews provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and recent court decisions related to inclusion of children with disabilities in typical classrooms; considers various definitions of inclusion; outlines the positions of various proponents and opponents; identifies some problematic issues; proposes criteria for inclusion plans;…

Since the passage of U.S. Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, special education has undergone much change. This law mandates that any child with disabilities must be educated to the maximum extent possible, with the least restrictive environment possible. This book serves as a resource for teachers dealing…

Prior to 1975, children with disabilities had no federally guaranteed right to public education. In 1975, Congress passed public law 94-142, which guaranteed that all students regardless of their handicapped condition be taught in the least restrictive environment. In 1990, it was re-named the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Teachers…