Material Resources

Publishers can provide a wealth of information about commercially available programs and interventions, and may offer you sample material. Publishers often have examination copies available that will allow you to explore the features of a program. For example, Corwin Press allows school personnel to review any Corwin book for up to 60 days without obligation. If you decide to adopt a particular book and order 10 or more copies, you can keep the examination copy for free. If you choose not to keep the book, you can return it and owe nothing.

Publishers often exhibit at large conferences. This will allow you to look at material before you purchase it. Certain publishers are known for having research-based programs available for purchase.

This list of publishers, http://ericec.org/fact/publsher.htm, compiled by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education will help you find material resources that are consistent with your program needs.

Below are some publishers that publish special education material:

• Allyn & Bacon (www.abacon.com) publishes books that contain the latest research and trends, the current thoughts and theories, and practical advice on how to put those ideas to work in schools. They focus on publishing practical techniques to improve teaching skills, enhance the way technology is used in the classroom, further the understanding of better classroom management, promote better assessment, and more.
• Corwin Press, Inc. (www.corwinpress.com) is recognized for published material with a strong research base. They carry material that relates to such special education topics as schoolwide discipline, testing, technology, and accessing the general education curriculum.
• Globe Fearon (www.globefearon.com) focuses on publishing products that meet the diverse needs of today's classroom. Their material targets grades 6 through 12. From reproducible masters, to classroom management suggestions, to teacher resource manuals and instructional guides, their materials help students achieve academically.
• Research Press (www.researchpress.com) publishes a wide array of special education and school psychology material including such topics as prosocial skills, group counseling, ADD, conflict resolution, violence prevention, peer mediation, cultural diversity, at-risk youth, and gangs.
• Sopris West (www.sopriswest.com) publishes material to help educators meet the needs of children at-risk for school failure. It provides resources that help to effectively deliver instruction, better manage behavior, meet IDEA '97 mandates, make school a safer place, and more. Sopris West offers research-based, quality resources, programs, training, and materials with staff development opportunities.
• Steck-Vaughn (www.steck-vaughn.com) is the world’s second-largest publisher of supplementary education materials, serving elementary through high school markets. Its focus is on exercise workbooks but it also publishes software, audio cassettes, videos, CD-ROMS and other materials to supplement base textbooks.