Presents the history, requirements, and some of the effects of PL 94-142, which is intended to help schools provide equity and quality in education for children who need more care, attention, and understanding than most. (Author/MLF)

To date, decisions about implementation of PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Act, have not involved classroom teachers. Every decision made without input from classroom teachers systematically decreases the potential of PL 94-142 for positive impact. (Author/JG)

Federal statutes, regulations, and major least-restrictive-environment cases provide numerous consistent principles that schools must adhere to in promoting inclusive educational practices. There are four major themes: consideration of an individual student's unique needs, presumptive right to an integrated education, educational appropriateness,…

As a political concept, inclusion captures the moral high ground by signifying something more desirable than "exclusion." However, not all parents of children with disabilities view mainstreaming as feasible or desirable. The 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act supports a movement away from full inclusion back to special…