Most contributions to this volume originated as papers given at an inter national conference on Integrative Perspectives on Youth Development held in Berlin (West) in May, 1983. This conference was part of a 6-year longi tudinal research program on the causes of substance use among adolescents in Berlin, which is now in its fourth year. The conference title deliberately did not refer to substance use. However, its relevance to an explanation of drug-related problem behavior was made evident to everyone invited to the conference. The search for integrative perspectives in youth development originated in a dilemma that became obvious during the planning of intensive research on concomitants of substance use. In the methodology for research on youth development, there were two lines of thought that seemed completely unre lated to each other: One line of thought was oriented toward the person, leaving situational aspects aside, while the other concentrated on ecological or situational determinants and thus neglected the aspects of development and internal processes. The integration of both these directions seemed to be an unusually promising approach for any project that aimed to understand changes in the individual within a rapidly changing urban setting. The best way to come closer to a resolution of that dilemma seemed to be an intensive exchange between the American and European scientific communities on this issue.

Learn the best methods for teaching students with disabilities in an inclusive classroom! In today's classrooms, teachers must meet the educational needs of students of all ability levels, including students with disabilities. This invaluable resource offers elementary and secondary teachers a deeper awareness of "what works" when teaching students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Grounded in extensive special education research, this book will enlighten teachers with a greater understanding of special education students and how to teach them successfully. For teaching students with the most common disabilities in classes with their nondisabled peers, general and special education teachers alike will get the most current information on issues such as: Developing Individualized Education Programs Teaching reading successfully Managing behavior and motivating students Organizing classrooms and lessons effectively Using cognitive strategies successfully Making appropriate accommodations and modifications Assessing students, grading, and collecting data Working with parents and families Collaborating with other teachers and parents Rooted in the best research and practice, this essential resource demonstrates how to teach inclusive classes successfully.

This ground-breaking book considers current perspective on educational reform in the Asia-Pacific regions with a focus on a new era of special education, particularly as this relates to the educational reform towards inclusive education.

This book offers guidance for school-based professionals participating in the special education process. It provides a foundation for effective oral communication and meeting facilitation in team meetings while highlighting methods to enhance collaboration between educators and families. School psychologists across the United States share how they structure meetings, provide examples for how to communicate educational and psychological concepts, and describe personas they present to support the meeting process. Chapters present a sequential facilitation process for school psychologist-led meetings and apply that process to problem-solving, suspicion of disability, eligibility/feedback, IEP, and manifestation determination meetings. Within each chapter, featured practitioners describe ways to address common challenges that arise. Aimed at graduate students and professionals, this text is a unique, example-based resource to enhance readers’ ability to facilitate and participate in the special education process.

This book comprehensively evaluates early childhood inclusion over the past 25 years. Based on their research and extensive experience, the authors examine benefits and drawbacks of inclusion, leading influences on inclusion, and issues that face children in different environments with different developmental challenges. The book shows professionals, instructors, and students in early intervention and early childhood education where inclusion is today and what they need to do to keep the field moving forward. The final chapter presents a national in-scope agenda for change - a framework of ideas for meeting challenges and achieving an agreed-upon set of principles and practices - in order to create optimal educational environments for all children.

Parents and Families of Students With Special Needs: Collaborating Across the Age Span teaches students the skills they need to effectively collaborate with parents and families to ensure a child's success in the classroom. Authors Vicki A. McGinley and Melina Alexander’s text takes a lifespan approach with a special emphasis on the critical transition points in a child’s life. Information is provided on what can be seen at each stage of an individual with disabilities’ development, and addresses concerns and needs that families may have during these unique phases of growth. Chapters written by professors and professionals who are also parents of students with special needs bring a diverse range of voices into the narrative. The authors provide an in-depth discussion of how parents and families are affected by particular disabilities, family system theory, the laws that affect individuals with disabilities, and assessments for individuals with disabilities.