ABSTRACT
The study examined mainstreaming efforts for imited
English proficient (LEP) handicapped students in p---ssample of 21 Local
EducatiOn Agencies (LEAs)., Directors and teachers freimboth the
bilingual education and special education departments sipre
interviewed, programs were visited and documents examined. The focus
was on three main areas: identification, assessment, arta .placement of
mainstreamed LEP handicapped students;' instruction of mainstreamed
LEP handicapped Students in bilifigual education classrooths; and
inservice training for staff involved in servicing these students,
Among findings were the following: bilingual special education
programs were rare ,for non-Hispanic LEP handicapped' students; there
was a shortage of bilingdal support personnel most LEAs referred
studeqs foe special education assessments only after attempting to. modify theit regular bilingual education program; there was a-serious
'shortage in bilingual assessment personnel; more than halt of the
LEAs used bilingual' teams to 'makeftlacement decisions; all LEAs
reported meeting the required monitoring of individualize'd education
programs; bilingual education teachers tended ti) use the regular
bilingual education ourriculum with both handicapped and
.non-handicapped LEP children; rand there was insufficient coordination
between bilingual and special education depariments in planning and
providing inservice training.- Recommendations were offered regarding
personnel development, inservice training; testing and screening, and the interface between bilinguai-educijon and'specral'education.
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