Bearing in mind the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, Louisiana's Steering Committee projected performance targets through the year 2014 for the important areas of: (1) Graduation with a Diploma; (2) Dropout Rate; (3) Placement, ages 6-21 and ages 3-5; (4) Achievement Performance Levels, and (5) Discipline. Annual gains were…

This paper highlights several current collaborative activities of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC). There are many specific examples of TA (Technical Assistance) collaborations that take place on a regular basis; the seven examples presented here were selected to represent different types of collaboration. The…

This paper provides an overview of U.S. Department of Education programs authorized and funded under federal law. It includes information as well on the laboratories, centers, and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education. Readers will find funding information, contact information, and a web site for…

This paper provides an overview of U.S. Department of Education programs authorized and funded under federal law. It includes information as well on the laboratories, centers, and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education. Each entry, which gives a brief overview of a program or resource, is listed…

The final report delineates activities of the Project on Cooperative Manpower Planning in Special Education at the University of Missouri, a special project to provide external training assistance to state education agencies and institutions of higher education in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Various activities…

This document presents the proceedings of a conference on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development in the field of special education. Keynote presentations include: "Special Education: Leadership for Change--A Social Marketing Perspective" (William A. Smith); remarks by Thomas Hehir addressing the status of special education and…

The 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to develop state improvement plans (SIPs) that include provisions supporting the professional development of all persons who work with disabled children. The National Association of State Directors of Special Education is establishing a professional…

Discusses the design, development, and teaching of two graduate-level special-education courses online using audio streaming technology. The teamwork involved in developing the system is described and suggestions are offered on how to engage instructional and technical developers in the creation of online instruction. (Author/CR)

The Virginia Tech Technical Assistance Center is a collaborative effort among the state education agency, local school districts, and Virginia Tech. The center and its two components, the Severe-Profound Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and the Mild-Moderate TAC, are operated under the school's Institute for the Study of Exceptionalities,…

The Alliance Project strives to increase the participation of minority institutions of higher education (MIHEs) in personnel preparation grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The project's primary purpose is to create a more diverse pool of special educators and related service…

This publication provides an overview of U.S. Department of Education programs authorized and funded under federal law for fiscal year 2008. This reference guide also includes information on the laboratories, centers, and other facilities funded by the Department that provide important resources for education. Readers will find funding…

The Alliance 2000 Project offers training, technical assistance, and information to programs preparing personnel for careers in special education and related services at institutions of higher education whose enrollments include 25 percent or more students from historically under-represented ethnic groups. A major emphasis is to increase the…

In 1990 the Michigan Inclusive Education Initiative was implemented by the state department of education to facilitate full inclusion of disabled students into regular classroom settings. This paper reports on implementation of inclusive education within the Marquette-Alger Intermediate School District (MAISD) in the Upper Peninsula region of…

Assistive technology is equipment that improves the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Using assistive technology, children discover they have control over their environment and develop a sense of competence and independence. As special education enrollments increase, more students are using assistive technology, but many…

The purpose of the project reported here was to provide personnel development in vocational education for special needs learners. Considerable progress was made with infusing instruction on special needs learners in vocational education programs in the Joint Oregon State University-Western Oregon State College School of Education. Five courses…