This study examined the accuracy of a curriculum-based assessment for use during the eligibility process for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) services. The study extended a previous investigation in which performance scores of children without disabilities on the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System (AEPS)…

This study examined the usefulness of the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System, a curriculum-based measure to corroborate the findings of standardized, norm-referenced tests that establish eligibility for special education services for young children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Results indicated that, in most…

This study attempted to validate a strategy for improving the quality of individualized education program (IEP) goals and objectives. A diverse group of early childhood special educators was trained on writing quality IEP goals/objectives and using a curriculum-based measure. Results indicate the quality of written IEP goals and objectives…

In response to O'Brien et al., who examined predictors of child outcomes among at-risk infants, this article suggests that the goal of prevention and early detection can be more efficiently met if the focus shifts from prediction to ongoing monitoring of children's developmental growth. A three-step model involving ongoing screening, eligibility…

The Infant Monitoring Project is designed to identify infants in need of further evaluation, by having parents complete a set of questionnaires about their infant's development at four-six month intervals. Evaluation of the questionnaires has shown that they are low-cost and have substantial agreement with standardized assessments. (Author/JDD)

Expresses concern with prevailing models that suggest comprehensive assessment across all areas of family strengths and needs for Individual Family Service Plan development for families of young children with disabilities. Issues of instrument development and use, the types and nature of early intervention services provided, and the role of…

This study evaluated the effects of completing infant development questionnaires on mothers whose ability to provide an appropriate caregiving environment for their infants was suspect. The 18 mothers who completed the questionnaire were found to be more accurate observers of their infants than 18 control mothers who had not completed the…

This paper argues the need to examine the images and responses evoked by labels applied to children, the field of special education, and those who work in the field. The paper considers whether these labels or names move the field toward its collective goal of delivering quality services to children and their families. (JDD)

This paper takes the position that many early childhood personnel embrace inclusion at the conceptual level but ignore or discount its implications at the applied or child level. Discussion of policies and practices of inclusion as they may affect individual children and families serves as the basis for recommendations for fostering successful…