The video "Wealth Inequality in America" sets forth a compelling animated chart depicting three ideas: (1) how Americans think wealth is distributed in the United States;(2) how they believe wealth ideally should be distributed; and (3) how the estimated $54 trillion of U.S. wealth is really divided. The hard-to-miss conclusion of the…

No student should have to earn his or her way into the general education classroom, writes the author. The inclusive education model recognizes every student's right to be educated in the least restrictive environment, as provided under special education law. Yet many school districts still place students with special learning needs in separate…

Disabled children placed in regular classrooms are supposed to get special services so that they can participate academically and socially without disrupting other students' learning. Since most states and school districts are adopting full inclusion to save money, such services are unlikely. Requiring all disabled children to be included in…

The main criterion for eligibility for special education services in schools has been proof of intrinsic deficit. There are two problems with this focus: First, defining and identifying high-incidence disabilities are ambiguous and subjective processes. Second, the focus on disability has become so intertwined with the historical devaluing of…

Agrees with Susan Allan's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue that ability grouping research is often misinterpreted--to the disservice of students. Reviewers should distinguish among three types of programs that differ according to curricular adjustment and acceleration effects. Blanket condemnation of all three types is…

Like many educational innovations, mainstreaming has suffered from inflated promises and inadequate resources. Effective prereferral consultation can help address these problems if supported by a comprehensive plan including consultant selection, consultation training and support, administrative sanction, teacher training and support, parent…

A teacher educator--former teacher and principal, and mother of a developmentally delayed 12-year-old girl--discusses placement of special children from 3 perspectives. Under the best of circumstances, inclusion is a very good idea. With too little funding, training, or development, it can be a disaster. Selecting the right children for inclusion…

Although Susan Allan's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue has cogently delineated ability grouping's academic benefits for gifted youth, she has failed to recognize the emerging reformist agenda to eliminate grouping as racist. Oakes's and Goodlad's descriptions of instruction at various grouping levels have lead to erroneous…

Discussing the use of tracking (grouping students with similar abilities), the author illustrates the positive side of this often criticized classroom practice. Appropriate tracking accommodates individual differences while motivating students. (MD)

Presents the case of Daryl, a fourth grader who performs well in daily classroom work, but cannot tolerate testing. Because of New York State testing mandates, this child will probably repeat fourth grade or be assigned to special education classes. Clearly, alternative measures building on children's strengths are needed. Includes two references.…

Researcher and former teacher Jeannie Oakes enlarges on the message of her 1985 publication "Keeping Track," a research-based account of tracking's devastating effects in public schools. The widespread practice of tracking students will not be dismantled until educators truly realize that schools can help "make children smart."…

Although Jonathan Kozol is well-informed about choice program imperfections, schools of choice are superior to traditional schools. In places like East Harlem, school choice is helping transform youngsters from captive, disenfranchised malcontents to true students involved in their education. The challenge is to make every district school worthy…

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,…

Inclusive schools have a cohesive sense of community open to differences and responsive to individual needs. This sense of community is disrupted by the practice of pulling out gifted children for special services. Inclusion involves changes in philosophy, curriculum, teaching strategy, and structural organization. Schools should embrace…

U.S. educational systems and schools are now organized primarily for student custody and administrative convenience. This article describes how to redesign schools to achieve better educational results by focusing on an outcomes-based paradigm, illustrated by the High Success program being tried in various high schools. Includes four figures and…