Informed by disability critical race theory (DisCrit), this phenomenological study explored the perspectives of Black parents of young adults with high-incidence disabilities regarding their experiences with their children's postsecondary planning processes. Fourteen Black parents participated in semistructured interviews and shared…

Findings from a meta-analysis of 26 studies investigating the effects of either the "Kids on the Block" or "Count Me In" puppet shows on changes in elementary students' attitudes toward and knowledge of individuals with disabilities are reported. The studies included 5,302 intervention group participants and 2,642…

This study investigates attitudes toward disability held by children with disabilities and average- and high-achieving children, and the latter two groups' experiences in inclusive elementary classrooms. Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Form-Scale (ATDP; Yuker, Block, & Young, 1966) responses did not differ. Females were more accepting. Children…

Self-determination (SD) has been a major topic in special education literature over the past 10 years, but research-based practices on SD for students with disabilities are still limited. This study was designed to examine 6 programs identified as placing a major emphasis on promoting SD with students with disabilities. Qualitative data were…

Perspectives of students with disabilities are notably absent from research about special education paraprofessionals. This study begins filling that gap by interviewing 16 young adults with intellectual disabilities about their experiences attending general education classes with paraprofessional support. Findings describe the primacy and…

Promoting self-determination has become "best practice" in the education of students with disabilities. We synthesize the decade's work in this area as a foundation for considering issues pertaining to promoting self-determination in light of the current educational context. We particularly examine the role of promoting self-determination in light…

Although participation and progress in the general curriculum is mandated for all students, models to achieve such access often neglect students with more severe disabilities. Promoting self-determination linked to standards is an entry point to ensuring access to the general curriculum for all students, including students with severe…

As students with severe disabilities are included in general education settings, the use of paraprofessionals has expanded to meet these students' needs. Unfortunately, paraprofessionals can have the inadvertent effect of intensifying the social isolation of students with disabilities. This study investigated the effectiveness of a training…

This investigation examined the effect of an extended time testing accommodation on the performance of students with disabilities, students educationally at risk in math, and students without disabilities. Ninety-seven eighth-grade students completed two equivalent forms of a standardized mathematics test, each under different testing conditions…

Thirty-one adults living in a rural area but not involved with farming had significantly more positive attitudes toward the disabled than did 74 adults in the rural farm group. (CL)

Important factors in reducing negative attitudes toward handicapped persons appear to include consideration for the status of the handicapped person in relation to the nonhandicapped, allowance for sanctioned staring and other methods of discomfort reduction on the part of the nondisabled, and avoidance of inadvertent reinforcement of stereotypes.…

Among conclusions were that presence or absence of a special class or program within a school did not appear to influence the principal's attitude toward or knowledge of exceptional children, and principals demonstrated significantly less knowledge than experts regarding placement. (SB)

A survey of 408 elementary school principals found about 1 in 5 had positive attitudes toward inclusion while most were uncertain. Positive experiences with students with disabilities and exposure to special education concepts were associated with positive attitudes toward inclusion and more positive attitudes were related to less restrictive…

Results of a survey of 92 nonhandicapped first and second graders (9 of whom had previously participated in a structured integration program and 52 of whom had had unstructured informal contact with the handicapped) suggested that contact with handicapped persons, regardless of type or timing, improved attitudes. (Author/JW)