In recent years, the concept of teachers as researchers in both special and mainstream school settings has become part of our everyday language. Whilst many educational practitioners will see the need for research within their setting, many may not be familiar with the technical elements they believe are required. "Creating Meaningful Inquiry in…

To argue about the effectiveness of integration is to miss the point; both regular school and special education support services in Australia need to recognize the many changes essential to minimize failure and encompass the reasonable developmental needs of all children. A flexible education system can accommodate almost all children. (Author/JW)

Two developments are described with particular significance for the instruction of exceptional students in regular education settings: (1) the articulation of a collaborative consultation model of educational service delivery, and (2) research advances in instructional effectiveness. The article merges these two developments in a discussion of…

This paper argues for a paradigmatic shift away from individualistic models of development and learning in early childhood special education to a social constructivist model. Principles for inclusive early childhood practice are explicated, based on classrooms as communities, learning as socially mediated, curriculum as contextually relevant and…

This conference paper identifies and describes practices which appear to be associated with successful schooling of students in heterogeneous groupings. Fundamental characteristics of heterogeneous public schools include actualization of the "zero reject" principle and implementation of exemplary educational practices from both general and special…

The successes and disappointments encountered in two programmatic efforts to incorporate effective instructional practices for students with learning disabilities into mainstream classroom activities are highlighted. The lessons learned from these two examples lead to implications for researchers and practitioners interested in improving…

Describes an assistant professor's experience teaching two eighth-grade classes: a self-contained group of students with learning and emotional disabilities and an English/social studies class that mainstreamed disabled students and used a team-teaching approach. Advocates "pull-ins," or putting children into special programs and…

An innovative preservice teacher education program at the State University of New York, College at Fredonia, provides many highly structured field-based experiences which include students with disabilities; systematic training in specific, validated intervention strategies; direct training in peer collaboration skills; and emphasis on reflective…

This article explores issues surrounding the integration of students with disabilities into general education classrooms. The movement from mainstreaming and the least restrictive environment to the call for a more integrated system is discussed, along with perceptions and attitudes about inclusion. The dissonance between rhetoric and reality is…

The Attitudes toward Mainstreaming Scale was administered to 233 undergraduate education majors, 110 of whom participated in a follow-up study. Students were generally willing to teach the disabled. Attitudes toward mainstreaming became more positive during professional preparation but declined after student teaching. Implications for teacher…

Ninety-two teachers participating in co-teaching responded to a survey and 12 of these teachers were subsequently interviewed. Results indicated: (1) general education co-teachers were perceived as doing more than special education partners in the inclusive classroom and (2) co-teachers who had access to identified collaborative practices,…

One of the changes advocated by the Regular Education Initiative (REI) is the placement of all students with disabilities in regular education classes. This paper analyzes this REI proposal and discusses four objections, with citations to relevant literature: (1) restriction of the continuum of services, which may result in students being put…

Provides a summary of seven eras reflecting the philosophical perspectives that have influenced the treatment of handicapped individuals in the past. Issues concerning the integration of handicapped people into the community are reviewed. A conceptual framework for examining factors that influence service delivery is provided. (Author/BJV)

Reviews some of the major developments in teaching and training relevant community skills to mentally retarded persons. The following adaptive skills are discussed: (1) toilet use and bed wetting; (2) eating, dressing, and personal hygiene; (3) community survival; and (4) vocational and social skills. (BJV)

The seven articles in this monograph explore the relationship between legislation and policies/regulations directed at the education of students with special educational needs, and actual practices in schools and classrooms. The first article, "The Impact of Special Education Legislation on Schooling: A United States Perspective" (Mary Lynn…