School-related problems such as poor academic performance, truancy, frequent suspensions, and grade repeating have been identified as risk factors for adolescent behavior problems. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of school-related factors on violent criminality in adulthood, based on data from the National Longitudinal…

The number of children who would be eligible for, and benefit from, early intervention programs has dramatically increased during the past several years. However, those programs would have to meet the U.S. Department of Education's criteria for being evidence based. Some programs that have proven successful would not be eligible but rather be…

The authors examined predictors of offense severity, judicial disposition (e.g., diversion, prosecution, incarceration), and repeat offending. Data were obtained on approximately 100,000 individuals from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Whites and females were more likely to be prosecuted than Blacks and males, particularly for…

On November 14, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in "Schaffer v. Weast." This special education decision concerned which party bears the burden of persuasion when parents challenge a school district's Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a due process hearing. In this article, we define burden of persuasion and explain its…

A study examined trends in teacher availability in special education by analyzing data from annual reports to Congress from 1988-1989 to 1998- 1999. Findings indicate a nationwide shortage of teacher qualified to teach across all disabilities and a dramatic decrease in the teacher shortage rate beginning in the 1993-1994 year. (Contains…

An analysis of data from three federal reports indicates American Indian/Alaskan Native and African American students were over represented in high-incidence disabilities (i.e., emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation), and significant regional variations existed in minority representation, but variations…

Results from a survey of 199 secondary special education teachers indicate they employ a variety of instructional strategies, some judged more effective than others, and that their use of instructional methods does not appear to significantly change with the number of years of their experience nor necessarily parallel effective practice. (Contains…

Reflections on the 25-year history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) first presents the litigable and legislative developments that led to the passage of IDEA, then examines the law itself and the litigation interpreting IDEA, and finally discusses the direction that IDEA may take over the next 25 years. (Contains…

This article discusses the impact of legal issues associated with the use of paraeducators in special education, provides practice considerations for state and local agencies and universities in regard to training and preparation of paraeducators, and discusses future directions related to paraeducators in the field of special education. (Contains…

Comparison of the records of incarcerated juvenile males (N=505) receiving remediation in either reading or mathematics with those receiving no remediation found members of the remedial groups were twice as likely to be recidivists or parole violators as members of the nonremedial group. Predictors of remedial group membership included verbal IQ,…

A study examined the legislative and policy mandates of 38 states regarding alternative education. Results indicate variability in state policy/legislative mandates and funding mechanisms, acceleration in alternative education activity, a commitment to providing technical assistance, limited state compliance-monitoring, and an emphasis on…

Examines the roles and responsibilities of public schools in providing services to children with disabilities placed in private and parochial schools within the legal parameters of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Availability and nature of services, location of service delivery, and relevant court cases are discussed. (Author/CR)

A national survey of state directors of special education (40 responses) found great variety in state policy concerning inclusion of students with disabilities, acceleration in inclusion activities, a commitment to providing inservice and technical assistance, emerging teacher certification guidelines specific to inclusion, and minimal empirical…

Responses to a survey of state special education directors (n=51) revealed that fewer than half of the states have developed policies and/or guidelines on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which ensures specific educational rights for children with disabilities. Highlights of available policies are presented, focusing on compliance…

This survey of 48 state directors of special education found that states are at various stages in developing policies and guidelines for serving individuals with traumatic brain injury, resulting in differing forms of technical assistance and training, definitions, and eligibility criteria. (JDD)