Researchers at Utah State University's special education department compared the performance of student teachers on dimensions that reflected pedagogical practices known to promote effective teaching of special education students. This study evaluated and compared dimensions of special education teaching performance among student teachers from…

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education, through its Research Institute of Assistive and Training Technologies (RIATT@NASDSE), has developed a planned approach to professional development in the area of assistive technology using distance education. This award-winning distance education program offers convenient,…

In the past decade, disappointing national outcomes have been reported regarding the transition of youth with disabilities to community and work environments. The transition outlook is even more dismal for rural youth with disabilities, in light of geographic barriers to special education service delivery, lack of jobs in rural areas, and rural…

This paper provides background information on the nature of rural communities and examines factors that influence educational services for students with visual impairments in these communities. Characteristics that are most often mentioned in defining rural areas are lack of public transportation, distance from a metropolitan area, size of nearest…

Risk communication is a methodology recommended for rural special education professionals who communicate with parents and teachers. Using rural special education examples, the steps of risk-based decision making are described: hazard identification, hazard assessment, risk assessment, risk management, risk analysis, and risk communication.…

As the Internet and the World Wide Web grow, more teachers are authoring school Web pages. Such pages have particular potential for use in rural areas by special educators, but their quality is often poor. All Web pages should be accessible for people with disabilities. Solutions to common accessibility and other problems are described. (Contains…

Reports decreases in aggressive behavior by a 13 year old, behaviorally disordered boy when his teacher used recorded phone messages to communicate the days' behavior to his parents, who applied contingencies at home. Suggests that this intervention allows greater involvement of rural parents in behavioral programs. (SV)

Describes the processes by which an educable mentally retarded high school student was placed and trained to work in a family-operated dairy. Outlines the task analysis procedure used by his job coach during five weeks of training. (SV)

The development of special education in Pakistan since 1947 is outlined. The relevance to Pakistan of Western-style education is questioned as is the possibility of providing services to the majority of children with special needs in the foreseeable future. Some alternative measures such as providing information services to basic health workers…

Provides strategies to facilitate more effective professional/paraprofessional collaboration in special education: clarification of roles and responsibilities, discussion of job expectations, daily scheduling, ongoing communication, and regularly scheduled training. Lists sample role descriptions for professionals and paraprofessionals, discussion…

Advice for students taking distance education courses includes knowing the technology; finding ways to communicate with the instructor; showing initiative; being courteous; and being familiar with the policies on attendance, absences, technology failures, written products, and evaluation. (Contains 15 references.) (TD)

A survey in isolated areas of Australia examined education-related attitudes of 122 parents of children with mild or moderate disabilities. The survey covered demographic data on respondent and child, degree and type of disability, location and providers of educational program, distance from school, resources at home, support needed, impact of…

A survey examined perceptions among superintendents, principals, and special education administrators concerning the role of the special education administrator in West Virginia school systems. All 55 county school superintendents, all 55 district-level special education administrators, and 150 public school principals were sent a survey…

The Rural Special Education Project is a federally funded partnership between Kayenta Unified School District and Northern Arizona University's (NAU) Center for Excellence in Education that aims to prepare well qualified special education teachers to work in rural and reservation schools. The participants are Native American residents working…

This paper describes the complaint investigation process for rural remote areas of Nevada as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Complaints are first filed with the Nevada Department of Education superintendent of public instruction. Complaints can be initiated by anyone and must state what regulations the public…