The literature is full of examples of the advantages and drawbacks of the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. This article explores the unintended lessons educators may be teaching typically developing students about people with disabilities. Two different educational settings are described--the first where…

Deaf students (N=1,644) entering the National Technical Institute for the Deaf from 1976-1980 were enrolled in one of three educational environments: mainstreamed, separate classes, or a combination. A followup study found that the three groups varied in attrition rates, achievement, communication skill level and mode, occupational level, and…

Comparison of two matched groups of seven students with severe disabilities (placed in either general education classrooms or special education classes) found that students in the general education placement interacted more frequently with nondisabled peers, provided and received more social support, and had larger networks of peers without…