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Placement decisions for students with severe disabilities have often been based less on the students' unique learning needs but more on beliefs and presumptions about student learning, entrenched school district policies that restrict program delivery options, and other variables unrelated to student needs. In light of the benefits associated with inclusive practices for students with severe disabilities, this article examines the foregoing factors to better understand how they affect placement decisions and to identify barriers to implementing at a national level more inclusive placements. The article also addresses systems change solutions, and several new federally funded initiatives that could contribute to authentic changes in placement practices. [For the grantee submission, see ED598980.]

Research has begun to identify the breadth and complexity of contextual variables that impact the opportunities, services, and supports students with complex support needs receive across different classroom placements. Indeed, as research has suggested, placement in and of itself may determine the schooling experiences of these students in ways that can enhance or constrain the outcomes of the educational process. This study examined an array of contextual variables in relation to four types of placement in which students with complex support needs might be placed for educational services by their Individualized Education Program teams. Placements were defined in terms of percent of the school day students had access to age-level general education classes, ranging between no access (separate school) to 80% or higher ("inclusive"). The investigation used surveys completed by a national sample of special and general educators and administrators. Completed surveys were obtained for 117 students with complex support needs across all four types of placement. The findings revealed potential relationships between a number of contextual variables and placement, suggesting that: (a) student opportunities and experiences vary systematically in relation to the amount of access they have to general education classrooms and (b) the application of the Least Restrictive Environment process, with its tacit endorsement of segregated settings and specialized programs, may in fact negatively impact the education of many of these students. Implications of these findings and future research needs are discussed.

Most students with complex support needs are taught in separate special education classrooms; one reason is teams that inappropriately use the intensity of support needs as the basis for placement in more restrictive placements. This study used Bayesian multilevel modeling to determine whether the intensity of student support needs predicted educational placement and the extent to which educational placement mediated the relationship between student support needs and outcomes for a sample of 98 elementary students with complex support needs. Findings suggest that students with more intensive support needs were more likely to be placed in more restrictive placements and those restrictive placements predicted lower outcomes. Implications for research and practice related to placement decisions are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which extracurricular activities are included in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of secondary age students with intellectual disability (ID). Student characteristics (grade, disability, use of augmentative and alternative communication) were examined to explore potential group differences. Participants were 498 special education teachers who had at least one student with ID on their caseload who had participated in a school sponsored extracurricular activity. Data were collected through an online questionnaire sent to members of a national listserv for transition professionals. Findings reveal that 63.69% (n = 314) of teachers reported they included information about extracurricular activities in the IEP; however, only 59.61% (n = 186) of these teachers also reported their student worked on IEP goals during extracurricular activities. Student characteristics were related to the presence of extracurricular activities in the IEP, number of IEP goals students worked on during extracurricular activities, student's most important IEP goal, and whether students received instruction on their most important IEP goal during extracurricular activities.

This study investigated the relation between grade level, support needs, and use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the participation of secondary age students with intellectual disability in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. Participants were special education teachers with at least one student with an intellectual disability on their caseload who participated in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity (N = 498). Data were collected using an online questionnaire sent to members of a national listserv for transition professionals. Teachers reported students participated in a variety of extracurricular activities within the categories of sports/fitness, school clubs, special events, and performing arts. The majority of students participated in activities for less than 3 hr per week and did not participate in activities that only included students with disabilities. Support needs and use of AAC were related to the type of extracurricular activities in which students participated, the amount of time students spent in extracurricular activities each week, and the extent to which students participated in extracurricular activities that only included students with disabilities. Grade-level differences were nonsignificant, except in relation to activities that only included students with disabilities.

Although the right to vote is guaranteed for all U.S. citizens of voting age, a significant number of adults with intellectual disability do not vote. The purpose of the present study was to replicate a previous study conducted by Agran, MacLean, and Kitchen-Andren (2015), which examined the extent to which adults with intellectual disability in a sample were registered to vote and if they had received voting-related instruction. Input from direct service provider, case managers, and other stakeholders was obtained, and both statistical and qualitative analyses of respondents' comments were conducted. Last, responses before and after the most recent election were compared to determine if there were changes in attitudes that might be the result of the election. The findings revealed that most clients were not registered to vote, had expressed little interest in voting, and had not received voting-related instruction. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Although self-determination has received increased attention as a critical component in quality education programs, there is limited current research about how and in what way students are displaying self-determined behaviors. To that end, a 29-item questionnaire was developed and 118 school system personnel reported how a sample of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in different grades employed self-determination strategies. Respondents were predominately White, female, had more than 10 years of experience, and largely worked with students with multiple disabilities at the elementary level. In all, the majority of students across grades were not taught specific self-determination skills. Also, students at the elementary level participated less in attending individualized education program (IEP) meetings or discussing their challenging behaviors than students at the secondary level, and typically received little or no instruction in self-determination. For those students who did receive instruction, self-instruction, self-monitoring, and self-evaluation were several of the strategies reported as being used by students to manage and regulate their behavior. The implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the 2016 TASH Conference in St. Louis, a research colloquium was held that focused on the state of selected life-span services for people with severe disabilities. Topics addressed by leading experts in the field included inclusion, teaching academic skills, family support, challenging behavior, supported employment, and voting. This article summarizes the information presenters shared at the colloquium. The presenters prepared a short response with a minimum number of citations based on the material they presented, which focused on the description of the practice, extent to which practices are implemented, challenges to implementing the practice, and recommended practices. Although all contributors suggested that much progress has been made, they concurred that there is still much to do in serving people with severe disabilities and their families.

This article discusses the relationship between evidence-based practices (EBPs) and values in research and practice pertaining to people with severe disabilities. The importance of basing educational and habilitation practices on substantial scientific evidence for practical, moral, and legal reasons is acknowledged given the prevalence of unsubstantiated fads in this arena and the manifest success of many empirically established EBPs. It also addresses the complexity of issues surrounding the identification and use of EBPs in relation to quality of life and rights-based advocacy for this population. EBPs are discussed in a set of five different relationships with values-based practices (VBPs). In the best of cases, EBPs are consistent with and support VBPs as has often been the case in the recent history of research, practice, and social change. In other cases, the relationship between EBPs and VBPs are more complex and require thoughtful discussion in moving ahead with the important work of establishing and implementing EBPs at scale. The differences between efficacy and effectiveness are discussed in the context of the much needed work on implementing EBPs at a national scale. Examples of necessary information to aid implementation are presented. The necessity of ongoing data collection and implementation of EBPs with fidelity are highlighted.

Although participation in extracurricular activities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been advocated, a limited number of students appear to be involved in such activities. Further, there is little empirical research on how extracurricular activities are valued, supported, and encouraged. This study surveyed a sample of special educators across five states to learn about their opinions regarding extracurricular activities. As reported in other research, the findings confirm that few students participated in these activities; few parents requested these services for their children; and few teachers believed that planning them is their responsibility, despite the fact that they thought these activities were of value and provided several benefits. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Despite a strong societal commitment to ensuring that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) fully participate in their communities, few people with ID vote. Little is known about voting experiences from the perspective of people with ID. In-person, semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 adults with ID (M[subscript age] = 37 years) to obtain their input on voting. Constant comparison and content analysis methods were used to characterize themes. Results indicated that people with ID are interested in voting and desire to be included in the voting process yet receive little education on political issues or on how to make voting-related decisions. Support from family or service providers and self-advocacy facilitated their ability to vote. Implications of these findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Although social skills have long been recognized as essential in promoting employees' employability (e.g., maintaining employment), there has been little research about work-related social skills for the last two decades. A systematic replication of Salzberg, Agran, and Lignugaris/Kraft's investigation of critical social skills was conducted. Specifically, a national sample of secondary teachers was asked to rate the importance of social skills in employment settings and the extent to which instruction was provided to teach these skills. Among the skills rated as most important were seeking clarification for unclear instructions, arriving at work on time, refraining from inappropriate touching of others, carrying out instructions needing immediate attention, notifying a supervisor when assistance is needed, responding appropriately to critical feedback, and interacting well with customers/clients. Interestingly, the skills perceived to be the most important were not the skills that were most frequently taught. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Despite an increasing commitment in promoting the full inclusion of people with intellectual disability in their communities, it appears that few adults with intellectual disability participate in elections as registered voters. We surveyed a variety of stakeholders about voting by people with intellectual disability using quantitative and qualitative methods. The majority of respondents indicated that people with intellectual disability knew what voting is, expressed an interest in voting, and were registered to vote. However, few respondents indicated that individuals with intellectual disability were provided with voting instruction or had voting included in their service plans. Barriers to greater participation are discussed and future areas of research are suggested.

Little is known about the effects of participation in inclusive settings on student self-determination. In this exploratory study, we examined the association between students' inclusive school and community activities and the self-determination skills of active involvement in IEP activities and use of selected self-determination strategies. Forty-seven students with severe intellectual disability from three high schools participated; one high school was undergoing state takeover for consistently failing to make AYP and served students living in a high-poverty community. Findings revealed significant differences across schools in student participation in general education and school- and community-based transition activities, which were associated with level of self-determination skill use. Students attending schools offering more inclusive activities reported significantly more use of six of nine self-determination skills. Active student IEP participation was reported to be low across all schools. We discuss implications of findings for future research and practice.

Voting represents, arguably, the most important right and responsibility of a citizen in a democracy. Nevertheless, few adults are with an intellectual or developmental disability vote, and few are provided systematic instruction on voting or how to participate in the political process. Regrettably, 44 states have disenfranchisement provisions that prohibit many people with an intellectual disability from voting. These state provisions are in conflict with federal laws, which mandate that citizens with disabilities are guaranteed the same rights as citizens without disabilities. This study is a preliminary investigation of the perspective of a sample of support personnel regarding the value of voting for people with an intellectual or developmental disability and the extent to which they have provided voting instruction to their clients. The findings revealed that very few clients vote, are registered to vote, or are provided any instruction on how to vote or be informed about voting positions. The implications of the findings are discussed, and futures areas of research are suggested. (Contains 2 tables.)

Although the importance of safety skills instruction is well acknowledged and available data suggest individuals with varying disabilities sustain injuries from accidents at a rate that is comparable to or may exceed the normative population, many students do not receive systematic safety skills instruction. Findings on the extent to which students are provided such instruction have been based largely on teacher input and parent input, with little or no input provided by students. The purposes of this investigation were to ask students with intellectual and other disabilities across two states about the safety skills they learned in school and to assign value to each safety skills' content area. In addition, this investigation sought to identify differences in safety beliefs between students with mild disabilities and students with moderate to severe disabilities. Results indicated that both groups valued safety skills instruction, but students with moderate to severe disabilities assigned a higher level of importance to safety than their peers with mild disabilities. Implications for future research are discussed. (Contains 2 tables.)

The available data suggest that both students and adults with disabilities sustain injuries and are victims of crimes at high levels. Despite these alarming data, several researchers have suggested that safety skills instruction has largely been ignored as a curricular domain. Further, although parents can serve a critical function in educational and transition planning, there is virtually no research that has examined parent perceptions regarding the importance of safety skills instruction in educational programs. The present survey obtained opinions of a sample of parents on selected issues relating to safety skills instruction. The findings suggested that the majority of respondents thought that safety skills were critically important and should be taught both at home and in school. Nevertheless, the respondents reported that few safety skills were included in their child's IEP; they had not discussed safety skills as potential educational programs with their children; and few discussed safety with their children's teacher. A Pearson Chi Square analysis revealed a negative relationship between classroom settings and discussion of safety skills by teachers. Implications of these findings to promote safety competence are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examined the effects of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction in promoting active engagement in the general education classroom and access to the general education curriculum for three junior high school students with significant cognitive disabilities. The goals included improving public speaking, asking more questions in class, and improving food preparation skills. The students were instructed to employ student-directed learning strategies to achieve their goals. Specifically, antecedent cue regulation (picture cues) and self-instruction strategies were used. Positive changes were reported for all students. Also, all of the students and two of their teachers expressed positive perceptions about the value of such instruction. The implications of these findings with regard to accessing the general curriculum are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)

In 2006, special education teachers made up 12% of the educational workforce but only 7% of National Board Certified teachers. In contrast, general education teachers made up 88% of the educational workforce and 93% of National Board Certified teachers. This study surveyed a sample of special education teachers who successfully completed certification as Exceptional Needs Specialists through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. This investigation focused on the Portfolio section of the National Board Certification process to determine if specific questions were difficult for special education teachers to understand and thus prevented them from performing satisfactorily. The sample included teachers from Wyoming, a state that has recently begun to focus on the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards process, and teachers from North Carolina, one of the first states to promote the process. The data suggested that the wording of three of the questions in the first entry of the portfolio was unclear to the candidates and was responsible in part for their unsatisfactory performance. Implications for future research and construction of National Board assessments are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)

Students without disabilities traditionally either enter postsecondary education or seek employment after high school graduation. These outcomes are not routinely experienced by youth with disabilities, however. Instead, they often face an uncertain future--one that may include unemployment or underemployment, social isolation, or dependence, despite federal legislation designed to pave the way toward successful and fulfilling adult lives. To address these inequalities, the authors propose constructing new transition bridges, including (a) teaching students to become self-directed learners before they enter high school, (b) assisting students in identifying where they would like to continue their education or work and placing these students in these student-identified destinations before they exit high school, and (c) coordinating post-placement support services with either postsecondary educational institutions or local agencies that provide employment support.

Despite national interest in promoting self-determination and active involvement in individualized education program (IEP) planning, available data suggest that many students have little involvement in these activities. Findings on the extent to which students are provided opportunities to be involved in IEP development and to receive self-determination instruction have been based on parent and teacher input, with little input provided by students. In this study, researchers piloted a tool that asked students with intellectual and other disabilities to provide input on their involvement in IEP development and their opportunities to learn self-determination strategies. Findings reveal that although the majority of students reported receiving some instruction on one or more self-determination strategies, few students were provided instruction in having an active role in the IEP process. (Contains 1 table.)

Promoting self-determination has been identified as a means to both promote access to the general education curriculum and focus on transition-related skills. In particular, the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) has been found to be effective in producing successful transition and academic outcomes for students with cognitive disabilities. The SDLMI enables teachers to teach students a self-directed problem-solving process that enables students to self-regulate learning. This study investigates the effects of the SDLMI on a variety of academic skills for three junior high students with extensive support needs included in a general education health class. Positive changes were reported for all students. The implications of these findings are discussed. (Contains 1 figure.)

Despite current interest in promoting self-determination, the extent to which self-determination instruction is provided to students with visual impairments remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of a sample of teachers of students with visual impairments about issues that are related to self-determination.

This study investigated the effects of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) on the academic skill performance of three junior high school students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. The academic skills taught were aligned to the district general curriculum, and extended benchmarks were individually determined. The students were instructed to engage in a self-regulated problem-solving strategy, as well as to use one or more additional student-directed learning strategies. The results suggested that all students were able to acquire and maintain target academic skills to mastery levels. Also, all stakeholders had positive perceptions about the value of such instruction. The implications of these findings relative to the general curriculum initiative are discussed. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

We used two multiple baseline designs to investigate effects of a self-monitoring strategy on following-direction skills of six middle school students with moderate to severe disabilities in general education. Students were instructed to acknowledge a given direction, complete the task, and monitor their performance. Results suggest that all students learned the strategy and maintained their performance at mastery levels for the duration of the maintenance condition. Social validation data obtained from participating general and special educators supported these findings. Implications for promoting student-directed learning and inclusive education are discussed. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)

A survey of 27 Russian students and educators enrolled in a defectology course found that most respondents were knowledgeable of and supported inclusion practices advocated in the United States and Western Europe, although belief in traditional practices of segregation of individuals with disabilities was also evident. The survey also addressed the parent role, curriculum development, transition outcomes, and best practices. (Contains references.) (DB)

The effects of using a multicomponent intervention package to support classroom performance of 4 high school students with mental retardation enrolled in general education classes were investigated. Modification of teacher-assigned worksheets, instruction in assignment completion, self-monitoring, goal evaluation, and including students in setting performance goals resulted in improved performance. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study examined the effects of self-monitoring on selected social and academic behaviors of four high school students with mental retardation in inclusive classes. Occurrences of self-monitoring were associated with improvement in target behaviors. In addition, teachers and classmates perceived improved performance of target behaviors when students used the self-monitoring strategies. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This study used the self-determined learning model to teach self-regulated problem-solving skills for achieving self-set goals to four mainstreamed middle school students with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Data revealed immediate and dramatic changes for all participants, with performance levels maintained at 100 percent. Anecdotal social validation supported the findings. (Contains references.) (DB)

A survey of 54 educators and 62 rehabilitation counselors found the role that rehabilitation counselors serve is inadequate and is exacerbated by the fact that many counselors are not being invited to transition planning meetings by school personnel, parents, or teachers. Recommendations for promoting better collaboration are suggested. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The effects of selected student-directed learning strategies on the classroom behavior of six secondary students with varying disabilities in general education were examined using a multiple baseline design across groups. Target behaviors included academic, study, and social skills. Results indicated increases in student target performance for all students. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study investigated effects of self-monitoring instruction delivered by peer tutors on the occurrence of academic survival skills displayed by five middle school students with severe disabilities. Results indicate an increase in percentages of occurrence of survival skills across all students. Teachers noted positive changes for four of the students. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article describes two distance education programs in the area of severe disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte project and project UPLIFT, each of which uses a multi-university consortium. Technologies employed in each project are discussed and preliminary data are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of distance education. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Surveys of 78 general educators and 94 special educators indicate that general educators used many, but not all, behavior analytic instructional strategies considered to be best practice. In addition, special educators regarded social interactions and friendships and self-determination skills as the most important skills for successful inclusion of students with disabilities. (Author/CR)

A study examined the effects of self-prompted communication book training provided by peers on the conversational initiations of four high school students with extensive support needs. The intervention was associated with increases in participant's appropriate initiations and general education conversational partners' corresponding responses. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The Self-Determined Learning Model is designed to teach adolescent students to set goals, take action on those goals, and adjust their goals and plans as needed. The program resulted in dramatic changes in 17 of 19 students (ages 14-19), at levels that exceeded teachers' expectations. Additional social validation data from both students and teachers supported the model's utility. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

This article introduces a model of teaching, The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, incorporating principles of self-determination, which enables teachers to teach students to become causal agents in their own lives. Results from a field test indicate students (N=40) receiving instruction from teachers using the model attained educationally relevant goals. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 1,219 teachers providing instruction to students with disabilities (ages 14-21), found that a majority believed that instruction in self-determination was important, but teachers differed in their responses regarding the strategies taught and the extent and type of instruction provided based on the severity of the student's disability. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)