The National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth and WSC recently released this case study report that examines the efforts of community colleges to function as intermediaries in meeting the local workforce development needs of employers and promoting career opportunities and job attainment for students, including those with disabilities.

A major new study is kicking off to study environmental factors that play a role in asthma, autism and ADHD.

The National Center for Special Education Research has released a dynamic website that lets the public generate tables and comparisons using data from the Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study (PEELS). The system includes over 1,000 variables related to child and family characteristics; special education programs and services; and academic, social and functional performance for preschoolers with disabilities.

The federal Office of Special Education Programs has released a toolkit on teaching and assessing students with disabilities.

If you work with teens with disabilities, you’ll want to know about the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work (TTW) program. Its Youth Transition portion offers funds for organizations that help students receiving Social Security disability benefits find employment. Is it right for you? Melody Goodspeed, Youth Transition Specialist for TTW answers some common questions about the funding.

Finding quality, affordable child care can be difficult for any parent. For those with a special needs child, it can also be a very confusing and emotional experience. Rebecca Freshour looks at what the law says, and what parents need to know to find care for their children.

Pete Wright, an attorney with decades of experience in special education law—and his own memories of standing up before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue a case—attended oral arguments last week in the most recent special education case to reach the highest court. Wright shared his impressions with Connect for Kids Editor Susan Phillips.

On December 14, 2005, U.S. Education Secretary Spellings announced plans to triple the number of disabled students that schools can partially exempt from No Child Left Behind tests, exempting 1 million more students with special needs. The Department currently lets states test one percent of students -- those with the most significant cognitive disabilities -- at their instruction level (not grade level) and count their "proficient" scores in Adequate Yearly Progress determinations. The new regulations will explain how states can further modify their academic standards.

Amid all the speculation about changes on the Supreme Court, Connect for Kids Editor Susan Phillips takes a look at cases the court will be hearing in the next term that will have an impact on children and youth.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) continues to be a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and frustrating disorder for educators. Rethinking Attention Deficit Disorders gives the classroom teacher useful information, ideas and strategies for working with children suffering from ADD.