This article identifies competencies needed by paraprofessionals working in early childhood special education including ways to document various mastery levels. It describes use of the competencies in Oregon's early childhood special education personnel development program. It explains the process used to identify needed competencies and also…

Discussion of ethics in special education focuses on four challenges: (1) examination of special education's history within an ethical framework; (2) articulation of character morality as well as choice morality in special education ethical dilemmas; (3) examination of special education in a liberal democracy; and (4) development of an ethical…

Discussion of instructional rubrics in classes that include student with disabilities considers what rubrics do, the different kinds of rubrics, and nine guidelines for using rubrics. Principles are illustrated with a classroom project to develop a rubric to evaluate Web sites. Some Web sites on rubrics are listed. (Contains references.) (DB)

This article reviews the research on notetaking and describes a new notetaking strategy that emphasizes manipulating and organizing information rather than writing it. Teacher prepared individual note items are graphically organized by students. Examples are used from Grade 10 social studies and Grade 9 English classes, both of which included…

This article describes an e-mail pen pal correspondence project and its positive effect on middle school students, including students with disabilities. It reports on a study with 80 students, which found that the students with e-mail pen pals generated significantly more written words than students with traditional pen pals or a control group. An…

This article provides early intervention professionals with strategies for selecting and using translated materials. It stresses the importance of considering both the intended audience of the material and the quality of the translation itself. The article notes that many Web-based translator programs fail to capture the idiomatic usage or…

Discussion of curriculum-based assessment in spelling considers spelling deficits, spelling assessment instruments, administering curriculum based spelling tests, and monitoring progress. Use of the criterion-referenced testing model provides teachers with grade-level specific and skill-specific information and can assist in individualized…

This article offers guidelines for using children's and adolescents' literature as a means of fostering social learning while developing literacy skills. It reviews the literature on teaching social skills, considers book selection, offers a model for using literature to teach social skills, suggests literature formats for teaching social skills,…

This article briefly reviews the research on classwide peer tutoring and presents guidelines for implementing peer tutoring in classes that include students with disabilities. It discusses preparation of materials, assigning students to pairs, student training, and classroom implementation. Specific application to reading instruction is made.…

This article discusses placement and educational approaches for students with hearing impairments including what the law provides, what students need, what conflicts exist, and implications for practice. The major principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997 amendments) are summarized. A continuum of placement options is…

This article addresses ways that regular and special education teachers can provide training for paraeducators and delineates the roles and responsibilities appropriate for paraeducators. Training suggestions cover the interview, orientation, sharing information, meetings, and team skills. Paraeducator responsibilities require teaching students…

Discussion of self-advocacy for postsecondary students with learning disabilities considers learning characteristics, self-advocacy as a critical transition skill, identification of intrinsic processing abilities, developing a self-advocacy plan, and the increasing need for postsecondary accommodations. Insets include a sample self-advocacy plan,…

This article suggests ways educators can physically alter a general education classroom to support the strengths of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and not exacerbate their problems. Characteristics, general strategies, and structural responses are provided for four common difficulties: (1) hyperactivity, (2)…

Questions and answers address: (1) connections between access of students with disabilities to the general curriculum and Universal design for Learning; (2) the changing role of the special educator; (3) differences between assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning; and (4) guidelines for increasing curricular accessibility. (DB)

Discussion of digital versions of traditional curricular materials notes ways they can effectively reduce barriers to learning for students with a variety of disabilities. Testimony before a Senate committee by David Rose, from the Center for Applied Special Technology and the National Center for Accessing the General Curriculum, urges passage of…