This report of a survey of eight states which implemented the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) provides information on provisions in the state plans, the extent to which special educators participate in planning and implementation efforts, and how the needs of students with disabilities have been addressed. An overview is provided of the…

This qualitative study examines the perspectives of 14 teachers of students with severe disabilities whose role changed from special education teacher to integration facilitator. All 14 participants expressed strong beliefs that students with severe disabilities would learn more in an integrated environment. The teachers identified themselves as…

This paper begins by relating the experiences of a beginning special education teacher in a small school in rural Montana. He soon became frustrated as he lacked the skills required for collaborating with other teachers, students, parents, and the community. Small rural schools have difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified special…

This paper describes an inclusion program at the Kayenta Unified School District (KUSD), located on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona. KUSD is a rural school district with approximately 2,800 students enrolled in 4 schools (primary, intermediate, middle, and high schools). Virtually all students are Navajo, with 88 percent of students…

This study looked at the critical elements of peer leadership exhibited by special and general educators in a school where the 21 teachers had the opportunity to develop a common language and knowledge base, to understand one another's beliefs about the children they teach, and to set common goals for their work. Analysis of peer leadership skills…

The guide, intended to help teachers, parents, and community workers throughout the world develop educational services to visually handicapped students in ordinary schools, has been published in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. The first three chapters provide general information concerning types of educational programs for the…

With the advent of Public Law 99-457, special educators may be expected to observe and/or serve on Hospital Ethics Committees (HECs) in order to better assist families who have seriously ill and handicapped infants and children. Issues considered by such committees include alternative viewpoints on infant euthanasia and their right to life, the…

This one-page abstract, was derived from document abstracts listed in "Research on the Effectiveness of Mainstreaming," an ERIC Computer Search Reprint containing bibliographic information and abstracts on more than 120 studies. In the studies reviewed, the role of regular and special education teachers is identified as critical to the…

Thirty-five state departments of education were surveyed regarding delivery systems, roles/responsibilities, competencies, and certification for special education teachers acting as consultants. Results revealed a need for improved policies and leadership to assist school districts in developing and improving consultation programs providing…

An elementary special education teacher describes her research on program decision making for students with learning disabilities. The research highlights the need to consider all factors that may impact decisions and identifies three characteristics of decisions that, when present, contribute to teachers' confidence that the decision made is…

Challenges faced by student teachers working with deaf and hard of hearing students are discussed, with suggestions for supervisors and mentors interested in making student teaching less stressful and more productive. Recommendations focus on reflective practice, pursuit of teachable moments, role clarification, and careful attention to the…

The development and current status of coteaching to meet the needs of students with disabilities in mainstream settings are reviewed. Issues are identified concerning resources (finances, time, and space); participants (role clarification of both professionals and paraprofessionals); and implementation (the need for documentation of coteaching…

Needs identified by special education teachers and school administrators (n=76) in nine school districts concerning implementation of life-centered career education (LCCE) included increasing administrative commitment to LCCE, involving teachers in developing and delivering LCCE instruction, and increasing intraschool and interagency coordination…

The California State guidelines are presented for identifying, assessing, and providing services to deaf blind individuals. Chapter 1 focuses on identification with sections on definition, etiology, referral, and unique educational needs (e.g., vision, audition, behavior, daily living). Chapter 2 discusses student assessment. Sections cover:…

The third edition of the Life Centered Career Education curriculum for special education students in grades K through 12 focuses on the domains of daily living, personal-social, and occupational skills. These are organized into 22 competencies and 97 subcompetencies. The guide is intended to be used for the development of individualized education…