States that educational priorities for secondary special needs students require an emphasis on vocational rather than academic training and a more structured learning situation. Presents a model of comprehensive career education for behaviorally disordered and learning disabled students featuring a cooperative teaching approach. (MF)

Presents the results of surveys and follow-up interviews of parents of children with disabilities who chose to use the "open enrollment" transfer option in Minnesota. Reasons for school transfer included better met special education needs and personal attention for children at chosen schools, and more information on child's progress from…

This study examined the advantages of using written language portfolios for authentic assessment in a third-grade special education classroom. Portfolios included data from students, teachers, parents, and the teacher's journal. Portfolios provided insights about how students thought about their writing, offered new understandings of parents'…

This article reviews research on the shortage of African Americans in university special education faculties, identifying problems in the faculty development system and possible solutions. Suggestions focus on improving available financial support, mentoring, and developing opportunities for creative research and writing, in order to recruit,…

Special education teachers (n=108) were assessed to determine whether standards for acceptable student behavior differed as a function of either placement or instructional level of schooling. Differences were found only at the elementary level, where teachers in less restrictive placements (such as resource rooms) expressed more rigorous…

Six special educators at secondary level were observed and interviewed in their co-taught classrooms. The special educators took on roles ranging from providing support to the general educators to team teaching. Knowledge of content, attitude of the general educators, and scheduling issues influenced the role that each teacher took. (Contains…

Argues that the language of entitlement and empowerment is not always matched by correspondingly equitable actions. Applies this argument to provisions for students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Fears that students with the most complex needs will no longer have access to postsecondary education. (CFR)

A team teaching approach was implemented by a regular and a special educator in a kindergarten class to facilitate social integration of 7 children with hearing losses and their 17 hearing peers. Social integration occurred, with the hearing children developing sign language skills and a positive acceptance of their peers with hearing impairments.…

The establishment of bilingual special education teams in a primarily Hispanic, urban, southwest school district is discussed. Issues include perceptions of team members' roles in the school, problems in assuming an active classroom consultation role, problems in supporting maintenance of school-based teams, and perceptions of the consultant's…

Addresses the needs of beginning special education teachers in small, rural school districts; describes strategies for recruiting special education teachers in rural areas; describes programs that small and rural school districts can use to orient new teachers to the school and community; and identifies strategies for retaining teachers in rural…

Identifies issues in educating students with disabilities who enter postsecondary programs intending to teach individuals with disabilities. The article discusses legal issues guaranteeing equal educational access, questions assumptions about teacher preparation, and mentions contributions to educational quality made by people with disabilities.…

This feature article examines changes needed in special education personnel preparation (such as increasing the supply of qualified personnel). Strategies for meeting these needs are discussed, including methods of using best practices and innovative training methods. An Outcomes-Based Teacher Education model (with proposed knowledge and skill…

Describes a Kentucky program designed to train special-education personnel in moderate/severe-disabilities and early-childhood special education. The model used satellite, compressed video, and on-site delivery systems; support services from the university, state, and federal governments, and various methods of team teaching. Program effectiveness…

A survey of 166 regular and special-education teachers concerning allowable accommodations on statewide assessment tests found only 21% reported that they used allowed accommodations. Teachers' knowledge of allowable accommodations was low and suggests some students are unnecessarily exempted from participation. Results support preservice and…

Examines the educational policies and recent legislation concerning special education students in countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD consists mostly of Western industrialized nations and Japan. Includes an overview of programs and resources, as well as several tables of statistical…