The article reviews recent research concerning interactions in integrated settings between severely handicapped and nonhandicapped students. Four topics are addressed: the interactions that occur, the influence of those interactions on the students involved, the communicative characteristics of the interactions, and ways of promoting interactions.…

The article presents a checklist for determining the extent of integration of severely handicapped students into regular school environments. The 14 item list is explained to be useful in identifying environments (such as the cafeteria, assembly programs, recess, and school hallways) in which integration of severely handicapped students should be…

The article proposes a unified educational system combining special and regular educational programs. Advantages include treatment of all children as individuals, integration of school personnel, personnel preparation organized according to areas of instructional expertise, and normalization of advocacy and funding activities. (DB)

The authors examine some of the underlying problems in the current organizational structure of the schools that hinder regular classroom teachers from being able to adapt their instruction to meet diverse student needs and suggest modifications needed in the traditional structure. (Author/CL)

The article presents an interpretation and rationale regarding a few of the major trends in special education, particularly as they relate to the education of children labelled behaviorally disorderd. (Author)

Three approaches to encouraging interactions between severely handicapped and nonhandicapped students in integrated classrooms are cited: designing and organizing the classroom, training socialization skills to the severely retarded, and training nonhandicapped students to interact with severely retarded students. Research on each is reviewed.…

Intended for both regular and special educators, the book outlines ways to promote integration between students with severe handicaps and their peers. The first of five sections includes an overview about students with severe handicaps as well as background information on the integration of severely handicapped students. Three chapters in section…

The article identifies two data collection procedures (participant observation and interviewing) employed in qualitative research and discusses how these procedures can be used to investigate emerging issues in supported education for students with severe disabilities. (DB)

This article suggests strategies that general educators, in collaboration with integration facilitators and other specialists, can use to include students with severe disabilities in the regular classroom curriculum within inclusive schools. Implementation considerations focus on a team approach, peer involvement, emphasis on functional skills,…

The authors warn against placing too heavy a burden of responsibility on building-level administrators for service delivery approaches tailored to the individual needs of all students. Given the goal of meeting individual needs through combining regular and special education resources, there is no reason for maintaining a dual system. (JW)

Possible strategies to integrate severely disabled students into regular classrooms are offered. Suggestions are given for promoting support among school personnel and parents, designating a support facilitator, developing networks of support, providing instruction naturally, promoting respect, and integrating personnel and resources as well as…

This article suggests specific strategies to prevent rejection and isolation and encourage interactions when students with disabilities are integrated into general education classes. Teachers are encouraged to foster proximity, teach peer support and friendship skills, foster respect for individual differences, and provide a positive model. (DB)

The article presents a rationale for merging special and regular education in elementary/secondary schools. Steps that higher education could initiate to facilitate such a merger include: strengthening collaborative and cooperative efforts, restructuring organizational units, reorganizing program offerings and content, and coordinating with state…

This book of 24 papers presents divergent views on 12 issues in special education: organizational strategies, classroom service delivery approaches, maximizing the talents and gifts of students, classification and labeling, assessment, instructional strategies, classroom management, collaboration/consultation, research practices, higher education,…