This survey of 232 parents of developmentally delayed or typical preschool children found that parent attitudes were favorable toward mainstreaming, regardless of their child's placement in a mainstreamed or segregated program. Compared to parents of segregated children, parents of mainstreamed children indicated stronger opinions about the…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that compared 39 separate class programs for the gifted with 18 pull-out programs in the Metropolitan New York region. Interviews were conducted with teachers and students participating in the two types of talented and gifted programs during site visits to 57 schools. The results of the study indicated…

A case study investigated the effectiveness of a new self-contained classroom with curriculum that was differentiated for 24 highly intellectually gifted fourth-and fifth-grade students. Results indicate the self-contained classroom provided a challenging learning environment for the students, but students' response to this more challenging…

Comparison of primary grade students (n=67) with mild mental retardation in Croatia (Yugoslavia) receiving either a special program designed by special and regular educators, regular class services but no special educational help, occasional special educational help, or special services in a special school found that students in the first group…

Three separate studies of gifted Grossmont Union High School District students indicated that: (1) gifted students enrolled in special courses score higher in grade point averages and on SAT tests than gifted students who aren't so enrolled; (2) gifted students enrolled in special courses win significantly more scholarships and honors than gifted…

Asserts that research on parents of children with special needs often reveals their lack of power and difficulty in establishing partnerships with professionals. Reports on a study of parents of 114 special needs students. Finds that parents of mild/moderate learning difficulties do not have powerful advocacy groups to promote their cause. (CFR)

Presented is an evaluation of a program in seven schools in New York City which provided 19 special classes for 174 doubly handicapped students--mentally retarded and severely physically handicapped--ranging in age from 5 to 21 years old. Among findings listed are that the 30 higher functioning Ss who were given the Wide Range Achievement Test did…

A class was developed for 10 musically talented students in an elementary school, to enable the students to increase their musical interest and knowledge and to improve their music performance skills. Strategies for providing a more challenging musical environment for these students included: a pull-out class, teaching of music theory and…

A study compared the attitudes of 91 regular teachers, 124 second year pre-service teachers, and 91 gifted program teachers from Finland and the United States toward gifted children and gifted programs. Results indicated significant differences between cultures and among teacher types. American teachers were more favorable toward special services…

This study was a follow-up to a 1993 study which surveyed Iowa school districts to compare types of programs for gifted students in Iowa with the 16 types found in a 1985 national survey (the Richardson study). The present study examined the five program types which the 1993 study identified as having a large number of characteristics…

This report focuses on the transition situation of mentally retarded (MR) youth in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The county is served by two Intermediate Units: IU2 (1170 MR students) serves the Pittsburgh School System and emphasizes mainstreaming, with the mildly handicapped attending neighborhood schools and severely handicapped attending a…