Issues are discussed that arose in the training and implementation of the Advanced Learning Environments Model (an approach to restructuring educational services to accommodate full-time mainstreaming of most mildly handicapped elementary students) at two sites. A brief description of the model and sites is followed by specific issues. (Author/PB)

A parent objected to a district's replacement of the gifted pull-out program with gifted-talented clusters in regular classrooms. Teachers would be trained to work with special-needs students, but not to differentiate curricula for advanced students. He agreed to advance his daughter a grade, but deplores reforms' transitional effects. (MLH)

Suggestions for implementing a successful classroom program integrating hearing and deaf primary grade students include preparing hearing children for the arrival of deaf children and giving all children equal attention after helping the deaf students make a transition into the classroom. (CB)

A survey of 150 elementary schools was conducted to examine the organizational characteristics, not the characteristics of individual teachers, that facilitate or impede mainstreaming implementation. Individual variables were grouped into three categories--communication/information variables, administrator variables, and demographic variables. (SB)

The mandates of Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) as it relates to the mainstreaming of moderately retarded students in elementary physical education programs are reviewed and steps in the implementation process are outlined. (PHR)

A three phase study was conducted on the role of regular classroom teachers in implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) for mainstreamed special education students. IEPs in 20 elementary sites were reviewed in phase 1, 59 elementary teachers were surveyed in phase 2, and 16 of those surveyed participated in interviews in phase 3. Five…

This article reports the progress of 13 learning-disabled students after 1 year of planning and 1 year of implementing the "Mainstream Experiences for the Learning Disabled" (MELD) model in an urban elementary school. Students made no significant progress in reading or math and earned lower grades during the implementation year. (DB)

Teachers in a mainstream elementary school setting initiated a program called "Circle of Friends," to provide support for a student with deafness and behavior problems and for other students having difficulty making friends. Learning activities involved interpreting the term "friend," helping students get to know each other, celebrating their…

This paper explores the difficulties of extending good, workable educational ideas to entire schools or districts. Two restructured schools that participated in a 4-year collaborative project that involved multi-age primary classrooms, inclusion of special-needs students in regular classrooms, and increasing specificity in assessing student…

A case study is presented of an elementary school preparing to implement a full-time mainstreaming program for students with learning disabilities. Based on observations, interviews, and surveys of students, parents, and teachers, it is concluded that fundamental changes in instruction are necessary for the regular education initiative to work.…

This paper describes comprehensive cooperative learning approaches for elementary-school reading, writing, and mathematics. Team-Assisted Individualization (TAI) and Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) are used to implement principles of cooperative learning throughout schools, among teachers and administrators as well as…

The Utah Elementary Integration Model places students with severe disabilities in neighborhood schools that provide supported integration in age-appropriate grade-level homerooms, peer-referenced and community-referenced curriculum, a transdisciplinary team approach, and data-based training in natural settings. Twenty-seven participants achieved…

A 2-year pilot program in Toronto, Ontario, used in-school learning centers (LC) to enable 60 variously handicapped students in three junior schools to withdraw from self-contained classes and mainstream into regular classes. To develop the program, a Special Education Work Group performed such activities as writing issue papers, visiting 12…

The SMART planning system is examined as a tool for teachers working toward the successful inclusion of children with disabilities. Four focus areas are discussed connected with the SMART acronym: Select curriculum and approaches; Match instruction to child; Adapt when necessary; Relevant skills targeted; Test to inform instruction. Suggestions on…

This paper offers a literature review of materials concerning inclusion of students with disabilities, and reports on the 3-year development of an inclusion program at one elementary school in Texas. The literature review is organized into sections which address legislative initiatives and law, special education programs with mainstreaming, the…