What would schools and classrooms look like if they truly mirrored our democratic ideals? In this issue of the Occasional Papers, five authors explore current and historical questions related to the inclusion of children with disabilities in public schools. The history of educating children with disabilities--an ongoing civil rights issue--has…

The article calls attention to the fact that one of the ironies of P.L. 94-142 is the constraining effect of the regulations developed to implement the law. A combination resource room and self- contained class are described as one alternative to strict adherence to the Deno Cascade model. (Author)

Examination of data from the "Annual Reports to Congress on the Implementation of Public Law 94-142" from 1979 through 1989 revealed that the placement rate for students with learning disabilities being educated in restrictive, separate class settings almost doubled. The proportion of all students with learning disabilities served in…

Since the passage in 1975 of Public Law 94-142 with the intent of "mainstreaming" handicapped students, more students are moving from regular classrooms into special education rooms. Identifies and discusses eight disincentives to mainstreaming handicapped students. (MD)

The decision to mainstream a child into the least restrictive environment opens up a variety of possibilities. The author surveys the mainstreaming options available in public schools, ranging from regular class placement to custodial care. (Part of a theme issue on mainstreaming.) (Editor/SJL)

The paper interprets the legal meaning and application of the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) principle in the education of handicapped, and particularly deaf children. The role of the Department of Education in interpreting the intent of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, is reviewed with emphasis on the "core…

Since the Education for All Handicapped Children Act now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 was first passed, states have been required to make available to students with disabilities a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The LRE standard that each school district…

This guide provides statistical information concerning services to handicapped children provided by the public schools of South Carolina in 1986-87. Statewide data are reported on the number of teachers and students by category of handicapping condition and program model (self-contained, resource room, itinerant, and other). In addition, data for…