June 2006

FEATURES
What’s the Big Idea?
This is your guide to the most innovative, out-of-the-box, downright radical ideas being thought up by education’s great minds. It’s the end of the school year, the right time to think about the semesters to come. So how about taking some chances?

The New Realities of Special Needs
Creating ideal learning environments for all students is a great challenge for many administrators. Here are the six realities you can’t ignore if you want your teachers to succeed with special needs kids.

The Challenges of Inclusion
Balancing the rights of disabled students is complicated when behavior becomes a disruption. We lay out strategies to achieve the ultimate goal—responsible inclusion.

BEST PRACTICES
District Spotlight
Staff at Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools are customizing a software application that will help them solve the communication gap with parents.

IN EVERY ISSUE
Plugged In

• How changes in immigration law will affect your students and their parents
• Creative ways to fund arts programs
• By the Numbers
• Three Big Deals
• Movers and Shakers
• Junket Justifiers

Future Schools
The students at Willowdale Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska, learn communication skills and become media savvy—maybe even gain some worldwide recognition—by creating their own podcasts.

Postings
Scholastic, Inc. recognizes readers who succeed with the Read 180 All-Stars awards.