Developing a collaborative home-school partnership in the special education process is one of the crucial indicators of successful educational planning. Special education laws and regulations strongly emphasize the importance of parental roles in the process. However, as is well documented in existing literature, it can be challenging for many…

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 44.3 million people living in the United States in 2006 were of Hispanic descent. This population is far from homogeneous and includes seven major subgroups based on their origin, each with its own characteristics, which are briefly discussed. Of the 5.1 million children identified as English language learners,…

The Council for Exceptional Children and the Council on the Education of the Deaf have worked together for over a decade to maintain mutually agreed on standards for teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This article presents the updated and revalidated standards of knowledge and skills for teachers in their initial preparation…

The Council for Exceptional Children and the Council on Education of the Deaf have worked together for over a decade to maintain mutually agreed upon standards for teachers of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. This article presents the newly developed and validated standards of knowledge and skills for teachers who are working on advanced…

Instructors in the communication sciences face many challenges when trying to help students develop all of the knowledge and skills necessary for them to become competent clinicians. The primary purpose of this article is to discuss some ways to increase the amount of writing that occurs in the classroom, as well as help instructors use writing to…

A survey study examined the perceptions of 484 kindergarten teachers in one midwestern state regarding language and literacy development, roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists (SLP), and teacher-delivered interventions in the classroom. Quantitative and qualitative findings from a 36-item survey revealed that the majority of…

The author recounts his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Special Education at National Changhua University of Education (NCUE) in Changhua, Taiwan, during the fall of 2003. Several aspects of his experience are highlighted, including teaching foreign college students, learning Mandarin, conducting workshops, and consulting…

This article reviews issues related to communication modality and placement of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, discusses reasons that school districts end up in due process hearings, and cites pertinent court cases. It offers suggestions to help educators provide effective testimony and concludes by highlighting possible positive…

This article offers suggestions to help children with disabilities cope with terrorism. It stresses recognition of triggers and cues to anticipate rather than react to stress and offers tips for specific populations including autism; cognitive limitations; learning disabilities; visual, hearing or physical limitations; and severe emotional…

Fifteen suggestions for adults talking with children about the terrorist attacks include taking the time to listen, separating fact from fiction, stressing the senselessness of violence, recognizing the impact of their own reactions on children, and addressing religious and moral concerns. (DB)

Fourteen suggestions for principals and teachers in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks include providing school leadership, reassuring students about their own safety, maintaining a structured schedule, and engaging in patriotic activities. Seventeen Web sites for additional information and resources are listed. (DB)