The central purpose of mainstreaming is to integrate handicapped students with nonhandicapped peers. It is the teacher's responsibility to foster positive and constructive interactions between handicapped students and their peers. Three ways of organizing constructive peer interaction are: (1) cooperation; (2) competition; and (3) an…

The effects of structuring classroom learning cooperatively or individualistically were compared, and results indicated that cooperative, compared to individualized, learning resulted in greater ability to take the affective perspective of others, more altruism, more positive attitudes toward classroom life, and higher achievement. (Author/BW)

Reports on a study of 34 high-ability fifth-grade students randomly assigned to individual- or cooperative-learning conditions. Finds that achievement was higher on recall and higher order reasoning measures and that the students demonstrated higher academic self-esteem and greater cohesion in the cooperative condition. (CFR)

The effects of two types of structured academic conflict, controversy and debate, were compared with individual study on a number of dependent variables. Sixth graders (n=72) were assigned conditions on a stratified random basis controlling for sex, reading ability, and handicapping conditions. Results indicated that controversy promoted the most…

Defines group processing as review of group dynamics identifying productive behaviors. Reports findings of a study examining how group processing influenced cooperative efforts and individual achievement. Uses results from map skill and problem-solving tests given to 49 Black high school seniors who were college bound. Finds that processing…