The author raises issues concerned with the appropriateness of mainstreaming for educable mentally retarded students, including students mainstreamed, reasons (academic and social) for such placement, duration in mainstream settings, and daily experiences of mainstreaming. The need to redirect energy from where to how children are educated is…

Mainstreaming research findings related to environmental variables are explained to be most important to the ultimate success of mainstreaming efforts. Approaches useful in planning and achieving transfer of training in mainstreaming programs are offered. (SB)

Investigated were the attitudes of 430 adults toward mentally retarded children. In addition to providing information on demographic characteristics, definition of retardation and degree of contact with retarded people, the Ss rated 48 attitudinal statements pertaining to retarded children. Factor analysis of questionnaire responses revealed four…

Nine low IQ (less than 80) and 12 high IQ (100 plus) learning disabled children (grades four through six) who attended resource room programs were observed in regular classes. Results indicated that teachers did not perceive the two groups of LD children differently but that the teachers behaved differently toward the two groups. (Author/MC)

Teacher interactions with disabled and nondisabled students in 38 mainstreamed elementary classrooms were observed using an interval time-sampling procedure and behavioral categories. Results of discriminant analysis indicated that disabled students received fewer questions and were provided with less teacher feedback than their nondisabled peers.…

The attitudes toward school of retarded children in various school placements were investigated in two studies. The first study compared the attitudes of nonretarded children, and educable mentally retarded children in segregated and integrated class placements. The results indicated that the segregated group posited significantly less favorable…

The classroom behavior of 11 segregated and 11 integrated educable mentally retarded (EMR) children, 8 to 13 years of age, was compared on a 12-category observation schedule when all EMR children were in special classes, four months after some children had been reintegrated, and at the conclusion of an academic year. The results indicated that…

The social position of integrated and segregated educable mentally retarded (EMR) elementary level children in a traditional school building was compared to the social position of a similar group of EMR children in a no-interior-wall school. (Author/MC)

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)

Compared were the academic and social growth of 31 educable mentally retarded (EMR) students (7 to 14 years-old) who were either retained in special classes (N=14) or reintegrated into regular classes (N=7) with additional support from a learning center. Ss were studied at three time intervals: prior to assignment, 2 months after assignment, and…

This commentary on EC 231 901 notes that mainstreamed education is not always appropriate and preferable to self-contained class placement for students with mental retardation. The school must identify elements of the mainstream education program that are likely to meet the child's instructional, social, and emotional needs and contribute to the…

Teachers and peers rated retarded children on the dimensions of misbehavior and academic performance. Perceived academic incompetence was associated with educable mentally retarded children's level of social acceptance, whereas perceived misbehavior was associated with social rejection by peers. Amount of exposure to nonretarded children did not…