Pursuant to requirements of House Joint Resolution 238 of February 7, 1975, the Department of Education in cooperation with a select statewide committee has reviewed the pertinent findings of The Center of Excellence, Inc., Williamsburg, Virginia regarding the practicality and effectiveness of the utilization of telecommunication in the field of Special Education.

This review, as outlined on the attached document; indicates the following broad areas of application:

1. direct instruction of certain handicapped children,

2. pre-service and in-service training of professional and paraprofessional personnel,

3. diagnostic and prescriptive services for handicapped children, and

4. information and guidance to parents of handicapped children.

Accordingly, the Department of Education is developing a proposal for submission to the U. S. Office of Education (Bureau of Education for the Handicapped) to test the effectiveness of telecommunication in these above referenced areas. Additional efforts are underway to coordinate such services for handicapped children in state and private facilities.

The technical feasibility of applying the findings of The Center of Excellence, Inc. is to be reviewed by the Virginia Telecommunication Council. This information will be provided by that agency in a companion report.