The effects of age; disability (educable mentally impaired, emotionally impaired, and learning disabled); and time interval on the percentage of time spent in the regular classroom were studied over a three-year period. Reading, spelling, and mathematics achievement were also examined. (Author/GDC)

Observational data were collected on the instructional tasks used by 30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disabled, 30 educable mentally-retarded, and 30 non-handicapped students in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5. Tasks used in mainstream and special education classrooms were assessed. Time, setting, and interaction effects were studied. (TJH)