Although Nordic countries are committed to developing inclusive education, a gap often exists between policy, ideals, and the realisation of inclusion in practice. In Finnish schools, part-time special education is an important tool for promoting inclusive education in the three-tier system. In this study, our research questions were: (1) What…

As important decisions are being made with regard to educational legislation, policy and provision for children with special educational needs (SEN), it is critical that the views of these key stakeholders are heard and considered. This article reports the perspectives of 38 children and young people with special educational needs on their…

Over the past decades significant changes have occurred throughout all aspects of the field of Special Education in Spain. One of these changes is related to appropriate and effective instruction for students with disabilities and diverse educational needs in inclusive classroom placements. All of these change efforts have created the need to…

The main objective of specially adapted teaching in upper secondary education in Norway is to help students attain vocational or academic competence. However, a contested issue is whether it is conducive to place students with special educational needs in regular or special classes. Another question is whether boys and girls benefit to the same…

A survey conducted with 385 families of gifted children concerning their perceptions of their children's experiences in school indicated that most parents do not perceive their school's present curricula as meeting their child's intellectual needs. Further, there is substantial belief among these parents that special full-time classes for high…

Followup and tie in between regular classrooms and gifted programs are essential for quality programing. "Ownership" of the program by the entire school community, including counselors, librarians, and administrators, is also important. (CL)

The author cites advantages of separate classes for gifted students, suggesting that they should be protected from teachers who do not understand them and school environments with which they are bored. (CL)

Data from the 1985-86 Annual Survey of Hearing Impaired Children and Youth indicated that fewer students are enrolled in special schools. This article discusses possible consequences of movement of deaf students into the local schools and questions whether local schools can provide the educational resources and special services needed by these…

There has been serious confusion between the terms "infantile autism" and "emotional disorders" in Japan, especially as pertains to special education classes. Special classes for emotionally disturbed children began in Japan in 1969 with a rapid increase to over 2000 classes by the 1980's. However, most of the children…

The paper discusses the interaction of learning disabilities with the typical developmental tasks of adolescence and adulthood. Typical high school programs (resource room and segregated classroom models) are reviewed to determine how services can better meet the needs of this age group. (Author/DB)

An overview is provided of the nature of students who have unique educational needs confounded by their extreme medical needs. The article defines "medically fragile" discusses medically fragile students' educational options in the form of placement in the hospital, home, special class, or regular class; and describes the teacher's role.…

Looking at the emotional and academic needs of the chronically disruptive student, the author proposes a temporary alternative class, emphasizing self-esteem development and individualized instruction, as the best programmatic solution. (SJL)

The present status of gifted education in Nigeria is discussed in terms of the changing perception of giftedness, the learning environment (including home tutoring, acceleration, enrichment, and special classes/schools.) Implications for Nigerian education are discussed including the school statutory age, the mandated curriculum, and educational…

Explores current policies and practices concerning the definition, identification, and educational needs of students who are both gifted and learning disabled. Recommendations stress the need for less rigid definitions and cutoff scores for program eligibility and the provision of a wide variety of settings (resource rooms, special classes) and…

Young children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) of perinatal origin often present with increasing medical and developmental problems after the first half year of life. Most eventually require foster care; some are integrated in intervention or preschool services; others are in segregated educational programs. Family supports and specialized…