The principal's leadership will have a great impact on the school's implementaton of the legal requirements of IDEA and sound practices related to educating students with disabilities. Six guides are available: a) Framing School's Mission; b) Building Strong Partnerships; c) Staffing Issues; d) Identification, Placement and Grouping; e) Establishing a Positive School Climate; and f) Allocation of School Time. These are in the form of checklists, with links to federal and State information and resources.

The principal guides the instructional program toward the achievement of clearly defined curricular goals and objectives. Guides are available on (a) Effective Staff Development; (b) Professional Development; (c) Curriculum Framework; (d) Resource Acquisition and Allocation; and (e) Effective Instructional Services. These are in the form of checklists, with links to federal and State information and resources. The focus of these guides is on special education.

This manual is designed to provide assessment and eligibility determination guidelines to special education professionals. These guidelines can be used where traditional evaluation procedures may not be appropriate. The guidelines reflect a broad view of connections between ELL programs and special education. The manual's conclusions are based on specific aspects of diversity such as race, culture, the acculturation process, high mobility among families and poverty rates. The fourteen chapters, cover page and table of contents may be downloaded individually. Chapters include: 1) Introduction, Definitions and Links; 2) Legal Provisions; 3) Diversity Among English Language Learners; 4) Information ...

This manual addresses collaborative learning and studying strategies. The ten chapters, plus a table of contents, can be downloaded individually. Chapters include: 1) Self-directed, Life-long Learner, 2) Purposeful Thinker, 3) Effective Communicator, 4) Responsible Citizen, 5) Productive Group Participant, 6) Effective Resource Manager, 7) Effective Time Manager, 8) Persistent Learner, 8)Prepared and Involved Learner, and 9) Effective Memory Manager.

American Indian and African American students are disproportionately represented in special education programs in Minnesota. This manual provides data and analysis of the causes of disproportional representation, its positive and negative impacts, and legal requirements of school districts for reducing bias in assessment practices. The twelve chapters, reference list, and three appendices may be downloaded individually.

The principal assesses school programs, student achievement and staff performance. Assessment is an ongoing process for determining whether goals are being achieved and expectations met. The principal promotes effective, realistic assessment procedures that ensure valid and appropriate information about students with disabilities and their programs. Two online guides provide information on assessment as it related to special education, with a focus on large-scale assessments.