The prevalence of students with visual impairments varies across the United States, yet limited analysis exists on how many students receive special education services. The following study collected population data on students with visual impairments for the 2017-2018 school year and ran focus groups with state-level administrators to understand…

Characteristics and training needs of 44 due process hearing officers in North Carolina were surveyed. It was found that current regulations governing appointments of hearing officers are insufficient to ensure appointment of qualified and impartial persons. Criteria were analyzed and suggestions for training and appointments are made. (Author)

Responses of 44 states to a survey on definitions of the preschool handicapped population are provided. Findings indicated that only seven states had a definition for preschool handicapped, 43 percent had no current guidelines or intent to comply with requirements of Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), and 32…

A descriptive study concerning educational service delivery for limited English-proficient disabled students was conducted in 145 California school districts. Results provided both quantitative and qualitative information concerning proportional representation, screening, identification, evaluation, re-evaluation, school-family interactions,…

A survey of state in-service training plans identified priorities in in-service training topics (including instructional and behavioral management of the handicapped child and implementation of the individualized education program); instructional personnel to be trained; differential patterns of delivering training; and such additional needs as…

Three hundred regular elementary teachers in North Carolina were surveyed regarding their concerns about educating handicapped children in the regular classroom. Results indicated that teachers felt a lack of expertise in planning for individual differences and were confused as to their role and responsibilities toward the handicapped child. (DB)

Iowa young adults with learning disabilities (n=737), behavior disorders (n=59), and mental disabilities (n=142), all graduates of resource room programs, were surveyed concerning adult adjustment. Results are reported in terms of marital status, living arrangements, competitive employment, unemployment, postsecondary education, and comparison of…

Results of a follow-up survey of 234 students completing special education services in 1978 suggested that special education programs have been influential in preparing disabled students for post-high-school adjustments in the community. Although most graduates were employed, their earnings were at minimal levels. Furthermore, most of the…

Data gathered from questionnaires sent to 1526 student placement planning team members in Connecticut indicated that only two activities (present information relevant to case and gather information relevant to case) were selected by more than 50 percent of the members as being appropriate for parental participation. (IM)

The statewide (Oregon) survey of special education administrators, high school special education teachers, and parents of mildly disabled high school students investigated four areas of special education services: focus/content, discrepancies between availability and utilization, barriers to mainstreaming, and conditions required for improvement.…

A survey of states (n=51) found less than half require prereferral intervention. In comparison to research in 1989, 13 states that previously did not have statewide mandates now do so, 4 states moved their policy from required to recommended, and 5 states moved from required or recommended to no mandate. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The study of Oregon's secondary special education programs for the mildly disabled surveyed 143 administrators, 323 teachers, and 279 parents. Among results were that few districts used written interagency agreements to involve community agencies; that teachers wanted more and better parent involvement; and that follow-up of previous students was…

A survey of chairpersons of 35 postsecondary schools of education in New York State found that less than one-third of these programs were accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, offered dual certification in regular and special education, or required training in collaborative teaching and education. (Author/JDD)