The author summarizes those federal court cases that offer the most far reaching precedents concerning the rights of children with disabilities to receive educational services, and provides a case example where parents of deaf children sought legal action to establish the rights of their children to education in local programs. (Author/LS)

The article discusses the ISSCS in Normal, Illinois, a residential facility providing for the emotional, educational, and psychological needs of dependent neglected children and minors in need of supervision. (Author)

This report focuses on the current status of national and state information systems on residential services for persons with developmental disabilities. Ten national databases and 24 state databases are profiled. Each profile presents a summary of the types of information collected and how this information can be accessed. Data elements are…

The Ohio State School for the Blind integrates career concepts throughout the overall curriculum for grades kindergarten through 12. In addition to skill development courses, experiential learning, and work-experience programs, testing of student interests and abilities is provided. (SEW)

All students have strengths that should be identified and fostered. Some children are outstanding and would be stultified by the standard curriculum. Gifted kids are precocious, march to different drummers, and are obsessively interested in certain subjects. They can be introverted, fiercely independent, and emotionally vulnerable. Advanced…

Data on characteristics of superintendents of American residential schools for the deaf were gathered in a 1999 survey. Comparison with characteristics of superintendents of public schools found the groups shared beliefs about their essential responsibilities but differed in how they characterized their relationships with their governing boards.…

This article lists information on schools and programs enrolling children and youth with deafness or hearing impairments. It contains a directory listing alphabetized by state, then presents a chart that provides information on each of the programs, including whether it is a residential program, the enrollment, services offered, and communication…

Franklyn G. Jenifer, Chancellor of the Board of Regents of Higher Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, proposes residential urban schools for at-risk inner city youth. These "urban academies" would remove those who are most vulnerable from the destructive ghetto environment and totally involve them in the educational environment. (FMW)

Responses of 25 residential schools for the deaf to a survey examining the status of health education found that 22 schools indicated a comprehensive health instruction program was in place, and 60% of respondents had specified time requirements for health instruction. Most schools did not require health curriculum teachers to be certified in…

This article reports on a 1988 survey of music programs in 49 residential schools for blind and visually impaired students. It presents information on teachers, materials, course offerings, accomplishments, goals, and administrative concerns. Recommendations include communication among music teachers, more involvement by music therapists, and…

This article proposes that residential schools for children with visual impairments provide direct services to mainstreamed children, including occasional withdrawal to the residential school for instruction in specific skill areas unique to visual impairment including sports, computer training, tactile graphics, Braille music, and daily living…

This historical study indicates that the optimism in the education of children with mental retardation, which surfaced in the midnineteenth century with the opening of two U.S. residential schools, soon turned to pessimism as results were less than expected and the possibility of custodial care in place of habilitation was considered. (Author/JDD)

This article offers a history of special California schools for children with blindness since the mid-1950s, from the perspective of a special educator. It points out that the two delivery systems of regular schools and special schools should not work in competition but in cooperation to develop the best education for meeting students' needs. (JDD)

This article discusses educational services and programs provided by the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped. The school provides free appropriate education for children with visual impairments within an array of service models and environments, protects the rights of students with handicaps and their parents, and makes technical aids,…

Residential schools for students with blindness or visual impairments should be viewed as organizations that can provide the leadership for improved services statewide. Residential schools can become active partners in their communities by maximizing the use of the school's facilities, expanding outreach services, and developing cooperative…