This article analyzes provisions of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, specifically regulations and relevant case law concerning provision of services to students in private schools. It offers guidelines for implementing the new provisions and suggestions for how to avoid violating the establishment clause in…

This article examines legal issues involved in the assessment of educational results for students with disabilities, especially requirements under the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It suggests that policies regarding assessment of students with disabilities may have outpaced practices and legal interpretations…

This article addresses the substantial changes that Congress made in the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act concerning discipline of students with disabilities. It analyzes both the procedural and substantive requirements related to suspending students, expelling students, and conducting functional behavioral…

This article briefly reviews Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and identifies criteria used to determine whether a student is both "disabled" and "qualified." Then, specific areas of admission, accommodation, and dismissal are examined. Finally, guidelines for professors and administrators…

This article provides a systematic synthesis of the agency and court rulings that apply Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to interscholastic athletics. The resulting framework also offers insight into how these federal statutes may pertain to…

A survey of 1,219 teachers providing instruction to students with disabilities (ages 14-21), found that a majority believed that instruction in self-determination was important, but teachers differed in their responses regarding the strategies taught and the extent and type of instruction provided based on the severity of the student's disability.…

A study investigated the extent to which scores in Kentucky's statewide alternate assessment program for 60 students with severe disabilities correlated with measures of program quality and overall school effectiveness. Results indicated a significant relationship between overall program quality and scores, but not between scores and…

A study examined responses of 97 California teachers and 59 Guatemalan teachers to vignettes describing boys with and without learning disabilities (LD) who had failed a test. Guatemalan teachers felt more pity and less anger for boys with LD. Both groups provided more rewards to boys expending high effort levels. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article describes the development and current status of special education in Singapore. Topics include organization of service delivery, integration, teacher training, and achievements. Challenges to improve the quality of special education services through integration opportunities, preservice teacher training, and greater coordination among…

A study evaluated the effects of supplemental reading instruction for 256 students in kindergarten through Grade 3 (158 Hispanic). Children who received the supplemental reading instruction performed significantly better on measures of word attack, word identification, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension after 15 to 16…

This article discusses preliminary research results that indicate placement of children (n=216) with emotional/behavioral difficulties into a Nurture Group has a positive effect on a significant proportion of pupils. There is also evidence that the parents of children in Nurture Groups benefit from the positive progress made by their children.…

A study compared symptoms of 54 adolescents attending a school for children with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) and 107 students with EBD attending mainstream schools. Results indicated students attending schools for pupils with EBD are more likely to experience concurrent psychiatric disorders than their peers in mainstream schools.…

A case study is presented on the process of self-evaluation carried out by a special school in Northern Ireland. The project involved the participants in the completion of research journal over a four-week period. The impact the project had on teaching, learning, and the professional development agenda is discussed. (Contains nine references.)…

This case study looks at how a pupil with Down syndrome is supported during dedicated numeracy time in a mainstream primary school. It examines the relationship among whole-class, group, and individual teaching, the nature of the support the student receives, and his educational and behavioral responses. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 26 secondary school special educational needs coordinators found that 21 felt that instead of writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), it would be more efficient to describe flexible systems that were in place. Twenty-four believed time spent writing and administering the IEP would be better spent on direct pupil support. (Contains…