Publications (Special Ed) « Education – Special

Publications About Special Education

• A Review of Technology-Based Approaches for Reading Instruction (National Center for Technology Innovation)
  Describes the development of the Reading Matrix, a searchable database that presents evidence-based technology products that support instruction for students with reading disabilities.
• Accommodations Manual: How to Select, Administer, and Evaluate Use of Accommodations for Instruction and Assessment of Students with Disabilities (Council of Chief State School Officers)
  Developed by the CCSSO State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards Assessing Special Education Students
• Acronyms
  Like all professions, education and special education have their own "language." Sometimes in the interest of efficiency, we use abbreviations or acronyms, which can be confusing – so we offer this partial list of frequently used acronyms.
• ADA Q&A…Back to School (Pacer Center)
  While it is true that the ADA does apply to schools, both public and private, it is important to remember that the ADA is foremost a civil rights act with a broad application.
• An Overview of Special Education Transportation (LRP Publications – 2003)
  These guidelines are intended to provide an overview of the federal laws as well as case law governing the provision of transportation to students with disabilities, and an exposure to the main issues impacting such services.
  Patti's Comment:  Although this is a bit dated, it is still a good resource.
• Building a Bridge – A Resource Manual for High School Students (2009)
  Information to help parents play a meaningful role in guiding your child for the future. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, transition planning is required as part of your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program).
• Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit (Autism Speaks)
  Challenging behaviors represent some of the most concerning and stressful features of autism. These behaviors can often cause harm or damage, family and staff stress, isolation, and caregiver burnout. Hopefully this kit will help provide you with strategies and resources, and lead you to professionals within your community. 
• C.N. vs. Willmar Public Schools, et al
  Because a third-grader's BIP allowed her teacher to use seclusion and restraint as behavior management techniques, a parent could not show that the teacher's use of those techniques violated the child's constitutional rights. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a decision that the teacher was entitled to qualified immunity on the parents' Section 1983 claims.
• Considering Assistive Technology in the IEP Process (The Texas 4-Step Model)
  Provided to assist educational teams in considering assistive technology in the development, review, and/or revision of a student’s Individual Educational Plan.
• Dear Colleague Letter: Access by Students with Disabilities to Accelerated Programs (U.S. Dept. of Education)
  A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights advising of an issue involving students with disabilities seeking enrollment in challenging academic programs. 
• Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD (U.S. Dept. of Education)
  A letter reminding school districts of their obligations to students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
• Gifted Education Press Quarterly (Fall 2010)
  Featuring, among other articles, one titled "Should Special Education Programming for Gifted Students be a Right or a Privilege?"
• Higher Education Act, as reauthorized by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), includes information on the eligibility of students with intellectual disabilities to participate in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants programs. Institutions that offer a CTP program can apply to have that program approved so that eligible students may receive Federal Pell Grant, FWS and FSEOG funds. To be eligible, an institution must already participate in the Federal student aid programs and offer an approved CTP program.
• Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card (Education Law Center – January 2017)
  The National Report Card (NRC) evaluates and compares the extent to which state finance systems ensure equality of educational opportunity for all children, regardless of background, family income, place of residence, or school location. It is designed to provide policymakers, educators, business leaders, parents, and the public at large with information to better understand the fairness of existing state school finance systems and how resources are allocated so problems can be identified and solutions developed. 
• Key Policy Letters Signed by the Education Secretary or Deputy Secretary (ED.gov)
  This Letter is the result of a decision (January 7, 2008) by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in School District of the City of Pontiac, et al. v. Secretary of the United States Department of Education (No. 05-2708). This case is about a Michigan district and it is supposed to provide guidance to states and school districts while this matter works its way through legal proceedings.
• Letters Regarding Special Education Matters (RespectABILITY)
  Sample letters to use for various issues regarding special education.
• Lost at School (a book by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D)
  Why our kids with behavioral challenges are falling through the cracks and how we can help them.
• Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools (Mass. Dept. of Education)
  The number of students with life-threatening food allergies has increased substantially over the last 5 years. As with all children with special needs, it is important that students are able to access all education and education related benefits.
• Medicaid School-Based Administrative Claiming Guide (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
  The school setting provides a unique opportunity to enroll eligible children in the Medicaid program, and to assist children who are already enrolled in Medicaid to access the benefits available to them.
• Preparing for Special Education Mediation and Resolution Sessions: A Guide for Families and Advocates
  The guide provides a comprehensive article on preparing for special education mediation and resolution sessions, including tips for both families and advocatesl. It includes a flowchart of mediation and resolution session to support the understanding of how these two processes work and intersect. For additional insight, it provides both an interview with a seasoned special education mediator and a summary of a study that sought to identify the factors that contribute to parent-school conflict. It includes communication tips for building strong partnerships and additional resources for locating further information.
• Research Press Publishers
  Books and videos in school counseling, special education, psychology, counseling and therapy, parenting, developmental disabilities and grief counseling.
• Safe Schools Initiative (Georgia Advocacy Office)
  July 8, 2010 was a historic day for Georgia public school students, as the State Board of Education voted unanimously to enact Rule 160-5-1-.35 which prohibits the use of seclusion, prone restraint, mechanical restraint, and chemical restraint. The Rule limits the use of physical restraint to those situations involving imminent danger. Additionally, the Rule requires schools to notify parents within one school day that their child has been restrained. 
• Special Education: An Advocate's Manual  (Michigan Protection & Advocacy Inc)
  MPAS’ guide to the rights and laws that govern special education and other rights of children with disabilities in Michigan. Each chapter includes a brief summary, a list of “Advocacy Hints,” detailed descriptions of state and federal rights, sample letters and forms (including the Michigan Department of Education’s model IEP form), and resources for more information.
• Special Education Matter – Final Decision (Alaska Dept. of Education)
  For a summary of this case, click here.
• Special Education News – JD Supra (11/10)
  This issue features information about service animals in school, wrongful graduation and more.
• The Ultimate Guide to Special Needs Teaching: 100+ Resources and Links (Teaching Tips.com)
  Whether you have an entire class of students with special needs, or you’ve welcomed a student with a disability into your traditional classroom, this massive list of resources will help you research different disorders and conditions, review special lesson plans, and find the support you need to work with your students and help them succeed.
• Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (US Dept. of Education)
  For students with disabilities, a big factor in their successful transition from high school to postsecondary education is accurate knowledge about their civil rights. The purpose of this guide is to provide high school educators with answers to questions students with disabilities may have as they get ready to move to the postsecondary education environment.