This article provides strategies for improving parent information sessions and engaging parents in the support of their children's (including children with disabilities) education. Strategies include using parent-friendly teaching materials, scheduling meetings for family convenience, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere, and providing…

This article discusses using "PEPSI", a screening and programming method that evaluates the physical, emotional, philosophical, social, and intellectual levels of development in children with disabilities. The steps in the PEPSI screening process are described and a case study is provided. A chart depicting indicators in teaching respect for self…

This article describes video-based vocabulary lessons that were used with 10 fourth-grade students with learning disabilities. The video programs were used as an "anchor" or "situation" for creating a realistic context for learning. Vocabulary was enriched by providing contextual information, introducing new vocabulary words, reviewing target…

This article provides strategies that early childhood special educators can use to incorporate the learning of specific skills into a variety of developmentally appropriate play activities for children with disabilities. The development of individualized education programs that incorporate play as a framework for intervention is discussed. (CR)

This article examines the provision of effective services for students with emotional or behavioral disorders and recommends a broad spectrum of individualized interventions. A theoretical framework is provided and specific components to be included in an effective behavior change plan are described. A sample individualized education program is…

This article provides guidelines for designing effective instructional games for all students, including students with disabilities or other special learning needs. The benefits of instructional games, including student motivation and the ability of games to facilitate individualized instruction, are discussed. Sample instructional games,…

Internet sites that address career exploration, college selection, college financial aid sources, and job search resources (including listings of teaching positions and newspaper employment ads from major cities) for individuals seeking careers in special education are listed and described. (CR)

Advertisements for used cars can be an aid in teaching adolescents with mild disabilities reading, writing, vocabulary, and study skills. A lesson is presented that teaches students how to interpret the abbreviations and vocabulary associated with used car advertisements, to develop car ads, and to role play the appropriate way of responding to an…

This article describes LEARN, a five-step plan to help students with disabilities succeed on tests. The steps include listen for hints, clues, and important information; examine notes, books, and papers; apply study and memory strategies; review every night; and nail the test. The benefits to using this approach are reviewed. (CR)

This article describes a campaign to improve reading instruction called "Learning to Read, Reading to Learn." Tips are offered for parents on ways to help their child become a better reader, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of 38 experts in reading instruction who are willing to assist schools with their reading instruction…

Disputes eight myths about special education relating to inclusion, including automatic individualization of instruction and negative effects of attending special classes, the potentially positive effects of eliminating labeling, and the neighborhood school's general education classroom as the least restrictive environment for all children.…

Discusses the positive value of conflicts and describes a six-step program, Teaching Students To Be Peacemakers, that instructs students in how to negotiate and mediate conflicts. Reviews research on the effectiveness of the program and the benefits of self-regulation for school discipline programs. Provides steps on how to structure academic…

Discusses academic failure and the role of curriculum design in either intercepting or exacerbating learning difficulties. Evaluates changing student demographics and the diverse needs of students, and reviews the principles of effective curriculum design, including big ideas, conspicuous strategies, mediated scaffolding, strategic integration,…

Explores how teacher collaboration can be expanded to include curriculum considerations. Describes a curriculum-centered collaboration process by which teachers can work together to solve specific classroom problems. Provides vignettes to illustrate each phase of the process. Also addresses curriculum-centered collaboration for broad-based…

Outlines problems related to defining and classifying children with learning disabilities and describes the pitfalls of current assessment procedures, particularly the problems with discrepancy scores. Presents dynamic assessment as an alternative to classification procedures and reviews the results of two studies evaluating dynamic assessment.…