Globally, early years policies and documents have set out aspirational outcomes and benefits for children, their families and the wider society. These policies have emphasised the place of early childhood provision within the wider global agenda, by tackling inequality and disadvantage early on in children's lives. However, these strategies have…

This paper begins with an exploration of the history of the international Education for All (EFA) programme and its tendency to overlook some marginalised groups of children, in particular those seen as having "special educational needs" or impairments and disabilities. The exclusion from "mainstream" education programmes of the estimated, though…

Outlines findings from a Wisconsin study to identify problems hindering the process of implementing mainstreaming programs in secondary schools. Includes eight recommendations and a reference list. (MD)

Fifty-one parents of preschool handicapped or nonhandicapped children were surveyed to determine their perspectives on integration. Both parents of handicapped children and parents of nonhandicapped children held positive perspectives on the philosophical aspects of integration, the social-emotional impact of integration on their children, teacher…

Reviews a documentary videotape entitled "Regular Lives" that presents case studies of successful mainstreaming of the disabled. The video shows both the obstacles and benefits of placing children with physical and mental disabilities into regular classrooms with typical children. (TE)

The study evaluated a school-based integrated aerobic conditioning program for children (ages 6 to 13) with moderate to severe disabilities. Evaluation indicated that 9 of the 12 disabled students improved their level of fitness and that both disabled and nondisabled students enjoyed the program. (Author/DB)

The role of educational interpreters for deaf students mainstreamed in regular classes was examined through interviews with 35 educational interpreters. Among concerns were (1) defining their professional role, (2) the variety of sign systems used in schools, (3) their relationships with the students they serve, and (4) professional development.…

The study examined attitudes toward school inclusion of students with disabilities of 1,145 prospective teacher trainees from six national/religious groups in eleven colleges in Israel: The groups were secular, religious and ultra-orthodox Jews and Muslim, Christian and Druze Arabs. Participants responded to the "Opinion Related to Inclusion…

Nine studies reporting child change data for nonhandicapped children participating in integrated preschool settings were analyzed in terms of methodology and specific classroom practices. The studies suffered from methodological weaknesses common to many early intervention efficacy studies. Documentation of child progress is only one measure of…

Four groups (elementary principals, special education administrators, classroom teachers, and special education teachers) were surveyed concerning attitudes toward mainstreaming, focusing on the effects on academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development of handicapped students and effects on nonhandicapped peers, teachers, and…

Evaluation of "Concept Diagrams" and a related "Concept Teaching Routine" used in nine secondary school classrooms which included 32 learning-disabled (LD) students, found that teachers successfully selected target concepts and implemented the teaching routine, whereas students (both LD and non-LD) demonstrated gains in concept acquisition,…

The paper reports on application of a case-by-case reintegration approach to helping 10 behaviorally disordered elementary students transition into less restrictive environments. The strategy combined transenvironmental programing, student-directed interventions, and collaborative consultation. Effectiveness was suggested by the number of students…

Reviews the positive effects of integrating severely handicapped students into special classes emphasizing structured interaction with nonhandicapped peers. Includes factors to consider for successful integration. (MD)

Described are efforts to integrate special and regular elementary-level students from two separate but adjacent facilities. Three years after the special school's opening, observational data and questionnaires revealed almost total segregation. Subsequently, an intensive intervention program generated promising, short-term movement toward…

The report documents evaluation by the Office of Educational Assessment of first year (1983-84) implementation by the New York City school system of the Least Restrictive Placement Personnel Training Program. Program goals were to develop and field-test training materials for a population of approximately 700 special and general education…