A University of Minnesota model for low incidence preservice special education teacher training is focused on visual impairment education and requires completion of four graduate level components for licensure. This model attempts to be flexible and address the needs of the field in providing qualified personnel that will remain in local school…

Rural-based special educators are examining the use of microcomputer technology to provide service to special education students. Recent literature is replete with examples of situations where microcomputer telecommunications have altered the isolation of special need populations in areas of communication, computer access, environmental control,…

Directed to college of education faculty members, this paper provides practical advice for developing model education projects by means of interagency cooperation. The first section describes the numerous Macomb Projects that have received state and federal funding including Handicapped Children's Early Education Program funding. Projects focus on…

The Volunteers in Partnership with Parents (VIPP) program is designed to alleviate the pressing problems of rural families as well as provide early intervention to the children. The use of volunteers as partners in working with parents is the crux of the program. (JHZ)

A survey of students earning special education degrees in 1985 addressed job satisfaction, teacher-training program evaluation, and job stress factors. Of the 54 respondents, 88 percent found special education to be a personally satisfying career, but 48 percent said they would select another profession if given the opportunity to begin again.…

The Tuba City Boarding School, a western Navajo Agency facility in northern Arizona, initiated a summer program that provided instruction to special education students and special education knowledge and skills for regular teachers who had exceptional students mainstreamed into their classrooms. The program resulted in improved teacher-student…

The American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) conference is the only national conference devoted entirely to rural special education issues; sessions encompass theoretical discussion, current research findings, and promising practices based on sound evidence. This proceedings contains 47 conference papers and poster presentations.…

The New Mexico State Department of Education received a federal grant to provide educational and assistive technology for American Indian children living in the Pueblos of Laguna and Acoma, New Mexico. During the 2-year project, more than 229 assistive technology items were purchased, and some form of assistive technology was provided to 121…

Beginning in 1978, a 20-year study charted the evolution of the public education system in Mexico, focusing on literacy instruction for various age groups and special populations. Drawing on descriptions of schools visited during the author's 13 visits to Mexico, this book describes Mexican educational practices, with the aim of helping U.S.…

Project Leadership Excellence Achievement and Performance (LEAP) was designed to respond to the needs of gifted students enrolled in secondary schools in rural areas. This paper describes Project LEAP's implementation in four rural Oklahoma high schools with high American Indian enrollments and high percentages of low-income families and limited…

Discusses basic differences between programs for special education students in urban areas and in rural areas and identifies critical needs for delivery of services to special education students in rural and remote areas as: teacher recruitment and development; services to exceptional students; legislation and funding; and parent and community…

Focuses on three major issues in meeting the needs of mildly handicapped students in regular classes in rural areas: appropriate programming within a limited curriculum; limited professional development opportunities; and utilization of rural delivery systems for special education. Offers strategies for change. (JD)

The rural special educator can evaluate commercial programmed curricula by considering seven major categories: theoretical foundation consistent with existing instructional theories; content; training needed to implement; assessment measures for properly placing students; cost; time required for implementation and record keeping; and program…

Describes procedures for mainstreaming multihandicapped children at the elementary level in a program designed to meet children's individual needs while developing positive social skills, self-esteem, communication skills, and daily living skills. Notes benefits for regular education students. (Author/SV)

Describes a transitional program that empowers special education students to make informed decisions about their vocational preferences and skills relative to the local job market. Focuses on self-directed assessment, job placement, development of self-management skills, long-term followup, and career development. Stresses the importance of…