Homebound services involve the delivery of special education in settings other than school sites. Such settings typically include students' homes or hospitals. Most often associated with early childhood special education and with students who are medically or physically fragile, homebound services can also be for those in need of interim…

In a qualitative study conducted in the southern United States, the researchers explored the perceptions of seven itinerant teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing regarding the formation and maintenance of collaborative relationships during consultation services the teachers provide to general educators. The researchers used the…

In 1994, the federal Early Head Start (EHS) program was created to address the comprehensive needs of low-income pregnant women and children under age 3. EHS was created almost 30 years after Head Start was established in 1965 to serve low-income 3- and 4-year-old children and their families with comprehensive early education and support services.…

Itinerant special educators can be much more than "tutors" for young children with special needs. They can transform whole classrooms and help inclusion flourish--if they have the clear guidelines and best practices they need to make the most of their critical roles. This is the book that every itinerant early childhood special educator has been…

An itinerant service delivery model takes early intervention and special education services to environments where young children with disabilities participate in their communities. Reconciliation of the mismatch that often occurs between recommended and actual practice requires support at all levels of the service delivery system, including…

This study investigates caregivers' perceptions of the transition process for children transitioning from Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) to School Age Special Education services (SA). Interest in this topic developed during the researcher's 18 years of experience as an Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Teacher during which she…

This article describes how two Baltimore teachers, Rachel Rosenblatt and Linda Andersen, provide tutorial work with hospital patients at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Their work is part of the in-hospital educational aid offered by Baltimore school district to help students recover from serious illnesses or injuries. The Baltimore program, which…

Professional role performance difficulties experienced by 23 first year itinerant specialists in the field of special education were studied in Illinois public schools (excluding Chicago). An itinerant specialist is a teacher with specialized training in a particular disability who provides services to students on a homebound basis, in a hospital…

An itinerant special education teacher talks about her changing role in the development of social skills in young children with disabilities. A continuum of social skills interventions is explained and the importance of matching types of interventions to children and settings is stressed. The special challenges of the itinerant teacher role are…

This article discusses possible roles and responsibilities for itinerant teachers and makes recommendations about the kinds of preparation and support these teachers should receive to facilitate early childhood inclusion. The use of itinerant teachers to modify the physical environment, provide appropriate levels of support, and monitor children's…

The decision to mainstream a child into the least restrictive environment opens up a variety of possibilities. The author surveys the mainstreaming options available in public schools, ranging from regular class placement to custodial care. (Part of a theme issue on mainstreaming.) (Editor/SJL)

A survey of 229 itinerant early childhood special education teachers found they mostly used direct service strategies. Teachers reported infrequent implementation of indirect services such as modeling intervention techniques and writing intervention plans for teachers or parents. Teachers reported being satisfied with their jobs and being welcomed…

The Houston (Texas) Independent School District instructs 2,500 students annually that are homebound, hospitalized, or in agency settings through a separate campus called Community Services. Five administrators, 130 teachers, and 52 assistants operate the program. Teachers travel to the students and even though they are responsible for preparing…

This report presents the findings of the New York State Comptroller's audit of the Education Department's management and oversight of the Preschool Handicapped Education Program. The audit notes a 68 percent increase (to $298 million) in costs during 1990-91 over the previous year, most of which is attributed to the 55 percent increase in the…

This paper describes a pilot program conducted in Baltimore County, Maryland, which involves using an Apple IIc computer with homebound students. The computer is used to initiate a unit or topic, to provide drill and practice, to review or reinforce a concept, and to motivate students. A sample home teaching lesson plan on the topic of measurement…