Provides guidance for teachers and administrators in developing and implementing ability awareness programs designed to foster greater understanding of people with disabilities and increase students' sensitivity toward individual differences. Topics include choosing a program coordinator, establishing a committee, planning meetings, clarifying…

Describes the structured internalization spelling method, which uses a series of small, graduated steps to teach students with learning disabilities to transcribe phonological sounds (phonemes) as alphabetic letters (graphemes) onto paper. The implementation of the program and the benefits of structured internalization are presented along with a…

Describes CHILD-PAC (Children's Hand-on Integrated Learning Discoveries--Parents as Co-Partners), a take-home learning center developed for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their parents to promote positive, interactive parent-child learning and playing. Three different CHILD-PACs designed to turn potentially difficult interaction times…

Describes a token economy that used tokens styled as license plates to elicit appropriate behavior in an inclusive fifth-grade class in which four students with behavior disorders were enrolled. Student involvement in establishing the "driving rules" of the classroom is explained, the components of a token economy are outlined, and steps for group…

Describes 11 spelling strategies for students with mild disabilities that enhance student motivation and can be used to reinforce existing spelling curriculums with no additional materials. Some of the modifications include stressing the relevance of spelling; implementing test-teach and test-correction methods; using an analogy strategy; and…

Presents a five-step lesson to teach young children with disabilities to recognize and decode words by actively involving the children in rhythm and movement. The lesson's objectives are provided as well as step-by-step instructions. The lesson calls for students to engage in guided and individual practice. (CR)

Lists documents and videotapes recently entered into the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) and ECER (Exceptional Child Education Resources) databases that address the issue of enhancing the social competence of adolescents with disabilities at school and at work. Each listing includes a description of the content of the material. (CR)

Reviews trends in curriculum and programs designed to prepare students with disabilities for work and adult roles in the community. Major historical and legislative events in the field of special education since the founding of the Council for Exceptional Children in 1922 are identified and described. A time line notes highlights of special…

Vignettes of pioneering special education teachers and students illustrate trends in special education. Changes that have affected the field are described, such as technology, Individualized Education Programs, interagency collaboration, increased parental involvement, and provision of a continuum of services with the goal of full inclusion. (DB)

A review of the history of the Council for Exceptional Children stresses its role in setting the standards which have advanced the field of special education in the areas of educational opportunities for teachers, federal legislation, and professional standards. (DB)

An analysis of changing terminology in special education notes the influence of social, political, and advocacy forces on phraseology. The history of terms as they reflect social changes, changing views of various professional groups, legislation, and research terminology are described and discussed. (DB)

A special educator reviews his experiences with technology and offers his perspectives on the technology continuum (high-tech, medium-tech, low-tech, and no-tech); types of technology (teaching, medical, instructional, and assistive); a functional model of technology; federal initiatives; and the Council for Exceptional Children's role in…

Presents a history of the Council for Exceptional Children that emphasizes the role of its subcouncil, the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), and its policy and action recommendations. Discussion of the future focuses on the trend toward more inclusionary practices, changes in delivery models, and a more unified educational…

The 30-year history of the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education is reviewed. The article describes the partnership between the Council for Exceptional Children and ERIC, the broadened scope of ERIC in the 1980s, the Special Project to disseminate research funded by the Office of Special…

This article describes a comprehensive transition program for students with mild disabilities. The program revolves around a classroom-based employability skills curriculum taught over a semester's duration. Four program components are addressed: employability skills training, family involvement, adult agency referral, and on-the-job support. (CR)