Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preparing for a successful school year -- Understanding students with disabilities -- Placing students in the least restrictive environment -- Managing the classroom -- Teaching all students -- Preparing for a successful parent-teacher conference -- Understanding educational assessments -- Writing a legal and effective IEP -- Preparing students for transition -- Professional development and the special education teacher -- Appendix A. Medical emergencies in the school setting -- Appendix B. Stress management for the first-year teacher -- Appendix C. Support organizations for students -- Appendix D. Guide to locating instructional materials -- Appendix E. Pharmacology reference list -- Appendix F. Teenage suicide and substance abuse : awareness, prevention, and intervention.