The article responds to a parent's questions on an exceptional child's readiness for mainstreaming. Lists of information to be gathered, both before the individual planning conference and at the conference, are provided, including information on such areas as possible placements and educational goals of different programs. (PHR)

The paper describes a policy of placement of gifted children within the regular school program according to each gifted child's intellectual, educational, and other development. The rationale for such a placement policy rests on a developmental conception of gifted children being like older children. The policy of developmental placement is…

Introduces a model that incorporates the skills needed for developing friendships, with the purpose being to help students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers develop the skills necessary for forming lasting friendships. Concludes that positive mainstreaming will be achieved only when nondisabled students accept peers with disabilities.…

Art experiences can promote feelings of confidence in mainstreamed hearing impaired children. Because of the emphasis on the production of visual/tactile images and objects and the lower demands for verbal communication within the art class, children with low language comprehension and limited verbal facility have a greater opportunity for success…

The paper describes a technique for mapping the social structure of a class to assess some effects of mainstreaming. Sociometric choices mapped through smallest space analysis generate maps that depart radically from traditional target sociograms and provide new bases for assessing social achievement. (PHR)

This report assesses the impact of special education programs on non-special education school building staff in Seattle, Washington, during the 1976-1977 school year. The report presents the results of a survey that was designed to investigate two questions: (1) to what extent does the presence of a special education program result in expenditures…

The consulting teacher model may improve educational service in the mainstream to mildly handicapped children and other children at risk but should be implemented only with sufficient attention, resources, and planning. Potential problems include ineffective caseload management, inadequate training of regular and special educators, and…

Reviews published assessments of the effects of preservice training for mainstreaming or multicultural education. Compares studies to determine: (1) what was meant by mainstreaming or multicultural education in various programs; (2) what outcomes were used to assess program effectiveness; and (3) what was found about the effectiveness of the kinds…

Educable mentally retarded children who are mainstreamed are likely to have social problems due to personological concerns (maladaptive behavior, labeling) and environmental concerns (teacher attitudes and expectancies, peer attitudes). (CL)

Discusses why inclusion is being proposed, who the children involved are, whether there is strong support for inclusion, when it will be implemented, how the classroom teacher's role will change, and whether it will work. (SR)

The role of the physical therapist as a member of the educational team working with mainstreamed physically handicapped students is explored. The physical therapist serves as a consultant who participates in planning meetings, develops and prescribes adopted equipment, trains teachers and other team members in transdisciplinary physical therapy…

Describes the system-wide counseling program of the Vestavia Hills Public Schools, which facilitates interaction between regular and special education. Special emphasis is placed on three major support systems (staffing considerations, school and community resources, and peer participation) incorporated into a noncategorical functional model. (JAC)

Hails the potential that mainstreaming of the handicapped holds for developing individual potential and enhancing equal educational opportunity, but cautions that extensive retraining of staff and diversification of teaching strategies will be necessary if adequate implementation of Public Law 94-142 is to be achieved. (GC)

Identifies amendments to Public Law 105-17 that relate to physical education and inclusion of students with disabilities, discussing their implications. The paper highlights issues related to Child Find, personnel training, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team members and program development. Sidebars discuss reauthorization procedures,…

This report reviews Federal legal requirements for including students with disabilities in general education classrooms, describes the continuing obstacles to inclusion, and provides guidance for challenging the placement of students with disabilities outside of the general education classroom. Barriers to full inclusion are identified, followed…