This paper reports on the perceptions of West Virginia teachers and administrators regarding the effectiveness of individual education plans (IEPs) in guiding discipline decisions for students with disabilities. Telephone interviews were conducted with 141 regular and special education teachers and administrators in all 55 West Virginia counties.…

This study examined the teaching practices of Maria, a special educator who worked with students who had multiple disabilities, were nonverbal, and used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It highlighted the complex, interdependent, and dynamic nature of teacher knowledge, beliefs, and practices and evaluated what Maria knew and…

Argues that many disabilities among children are increasingly attributable to environmental variables such as violence, poverty, toxic exposure, and family dysfunction. Notes that special education professionals have had primary responsibility for providing specialized services to disabled children and are uniquely qualified to provide resources,…

An interagency team approach to planning and implementing successful school-to-work programs for students with disabilities is recommended. Roles of special educators, vocational rehabilitators, vocational educators, parents, and students are identified. Specific ways to counter such local obstacles as lack of transportation, lack of funding, and…

This paper reports on the perceptions of rural teachers who completed the Exceptional Family course as part of a specialized rural training program at Southeastern Louisiana University. A requirement for certification or a master's degree in special education, the course aims to provide an understanding of exceptional families using a family…

Designed for high school students interested in careers in special education and related services, this guide outlines the different roles of special education and related services professionals who teach and provide specifically designed instruction and services to children with disabilities. It addresses the different disabilities that students…

This report represents one aspect of the development of a competency-based, interdisciplinary cooperative program called Project SAVE (Special And Vocational Education). It focuses on Phase I, which, using a taxonomic approach, analyzed prior research and development efforts directed at implementing competency-based personnel preparation programs.…

A study was conducted to identify a list of pedagogical competencies and evaluative criteria based on the performance requirements of the vocational specialists who coordinate the education of handicapped learners in Georgia's new secondary level Vocational Education Awareness Program (VEAP). Performance roles which served as a basis for…

The current study investigated early childhood professionals' opinions regarding the use of behavioral supports for children with challenging behavior. Participants included early childhood special education teachers, Title I teachers, speech and language pathologists, instructional aids and paraprofessionals, physical therapists, and school…

Montana rural special educators (109) answering a questionnaire indicated 40% of rural/isolated classrooms are not complying with the law requiring interdisciplinary teams to educate handicapped students. In many schools one special education teacher serves as interdisciplinary team/total service provider. Teacher training programs should be…

This article explores the experiences of six First-year teachers working in the broad, cross-categorical field of early childhood special education. A multicase approach provided insight into the complexity of teachers' roles and work with young children with special needs in a range of settings, with children of various ages and developmental…

This paper presents implications of the path analysis procedures used to interpret data from a study of urban special education teachers' perceptions of working conditions. The analysis looked at a broad range of factors that could affect teacher plans to leave the field. An overall finding emerging from the analysis was that the same fundamental…

These guidelines are intended to provide a resource to use in assessing, planning, providing, evaluating, and improving the quality of programs for California pupils with severe orthopedic impairments. The first three chapters present characteristic elements of a well-designed program in the areas of: (1) identification and assessment, (2) the…

This book is intended to assist educators to meet the needs of a diverse population of children with varying cognitive abilities; developmental and learning disabilities; sensory impairments; and different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is based on the premise that children of differing abilities and backgrounds will…

The handbook provides rural school administrators and teachers with information concerning a vocational service delivery model for mentally retarded, learning disabled, and behaviorally impaired youth in Nebraska. The handbook describes the program's background, goals, implementation, and development. It also describes the central role of…