In the decade since alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) were first required, special education teachers have had to develop content knowledge and pedagogical skills to teach academics to students with significant cognitive disabilities. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that teachers'…

School-based speech-language pathologists are obligated to apply evidence-based practice and document progress of their students' response to intervention in compliance with federal law. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the effects of an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)-based intervention provided in a camp…

The evaluation of minority children for special education by law should be nondiscriminatory. To be in compliance with federal mandates such as the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and Public Law 94-142, minority children who are also English language learners (ELLs) should be assessed in their native…

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing are a low-incidence population with diverse linguistic characteristics and levels of academic achievement. This article presents findings on teacher recommendations of assessment practices for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. A total of 372 educational professionals responded to a set of three…

This qualitative semi-structured open-ended protocol research study provided information on middle school general educators' perceptions of barriers impeding completion of training on the FBA/PBIP, and the methods they perceived that could remove the barriers from the perspective of general educators as self-directed adult learners. The…

Educational professionals have the challenging responsibility of serving a highly diverse population of students. Laws such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2001), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004), the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the…

In response to federal requirements for general curriculum access and participation in large-scale academic assessments, states have shifted curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities from a primarily functional model to one that includes academics. What does academic instruction look like for students with significant…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 have directly contributed to an increase in students receiving inclusive specialized instruction within the general education classroom setting. To accommodate these students, many schools have implemented the practice of co-teaching, or…

Daily Behavior Report Cards (DBRC) are a common component of many Tier 2 interventions such as check and connect or check-in and check-out. Although considered an effective practice when paired with contingent reinforcement for academic and behavioral change, many teachers may be unaware of how best to use a DBRC with more challenging behaviors or…

The Communities of Practice approach offers state agency personnel a lens for exploring the human aspects of problems. They can be used as a technical assistance approach for bringing together multiple stakeholders to address complex issues facing special education. The IDEA Partnership has pioneered the use of a website for its national…

Ms. Thomas, the general educator, and Ms. Merced, the special education teacher, plan to co-teach mathematics classes during the upcoming school year. Based on previous interactions with students and knowledge of students' abilities from school records, they know that several students, including students with disabilities, struggle with…

In large numbers of elementary and secondary schools across the United States teachers are being called upon to provide support to colleagues through a process called "instructional coaching." Despite widespread implementation of this role, resulting in part from federal initiatives, there is little consensus regarding its operational…

Marlene Wyatt is the mother of three children ages 5 and under. Her middle child, Liz, who is approaching her third birthday, has an autism spectrum disorder. There is never an unclaimed minute at home or work for Marlene. Her husband frequently works overnight and weekend shifts. Marlene works as a custodian at the local school. The family…

For some educators, being an integral part of a school community happens naturally. School psychologists, however, often are inhibited by the "visitor syndrome," whereby they walk into a building, sign in the visitor register, and immediately seek the help of an administrative assistant or custodian to help them find a place to land.…

It is imperative for special education administrators, and all administrators, to adapt to the changing demographic and educational environments. The field of special education has changed dramatically in the last three decades, and administrators can and should be leaders of the continued evolution of special education. One useful organizing…