After the passage of PL 94-142 in 1975 guaranteeing a free, appropriate, public education to all students with disabilities, multiple reauthorizations of IDEA have refined, revised, and renewed the nation's moral and pedagogical commitment to providing well-planned, public, inclusive, and appropriate education to all students with disabilities.…

Schedules of 844 mildly handicapped elementary school students were analyzed to describe the degree of appropriateness of mainstreaming practices. School variables were then investigated in relation to appropriate scheduling. Data analysis revealed that very few students had appropriate mainstreaming schedules but that "good" scheduling was found…

In a study of the mainstreaming practices of a large urban school district, schedules of 844 mildly handicapped elementary students were examined. Schedule appropriateness was defined by three factors: assignments of handicapped students to a fixed group of regular students, to a grade-appropriate group, and for the full sequence of scheduled…

The study examined the social status of 43 elementary grade learning disabled (LD) students who, though based in special classes, joined regular classes up to 18 periods per week. Findings indicated both lower acceptance and lower rejection, suggesting that the LD students are simply not known to their regular class peers. (Author/DB)

Four studies in 12 urban high schools explored accommodative powers of mainstream secondary schools and effects of teachers' attitudes and student behaviors. Findings suggested that mainstream teachers recognize the low achievement of learning disabled students but do very little that is different instructionally when these students are assigned…

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)

Describes innovative, inclusive models for providing special education services for learning-disabled students developed by three universities and funded by the Office of Special Education. The projects, involving considerable financial and professional resources, were implemented at six restructuring elementary schools. Findings suggest that…

This introductory article describes a study that explored the meaning of special education in the context of full-time mainstreaming and the Regular Education Initiative. The study involved observing five full-time mainstreaming models of service delivery for elementary-age students with learning disabilities (described in subsequent articles).…

This article describes the inclusion model implemented in one Kansas elementary school and the educational experiences of two children, both with learning disabilities. The model is a variant of the Hudson Class-within-a-Class model, in which a substantial number of students at risk or with disabilities are grouped in a single class where they…

Data relating to an intermediate-grade student with learning disabilities were collected when the student was being served in a resource room and during full-time mainstreaming. Data included achievement measures, classroom observation data, and school adjustment data. Data do not show significant improvements in reading achievement when in the…

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 article describes an inclusion model called MELD (Mainstreaming Experiences for Learning Disabled) implemented at an elementary school in Pennsylvania and the educational experiences of a second grader and a fifth grader, both with learning disabilities (LD). The model is a schoolwide effort with special education teachers providing in-class…

Reviews the origins of the continuum of placement options for learning-disabled students and the recent calls to replace pull-out placements with full inclusion in general education, exploring the efficacy of full inclusion and the features of special education that must be preserved when reinventing services for students with learning…

Structured interviews with 150 elementary students with learning disabilities found that they accurately perceived that special education is intended to provide extra help for children with academic problems. Students reported they liked special education classes, though some missed instruction or recreational activities in their mainstream class…

Comparison of 502 former and 148 active participants in a prevocational intervention for at-risk students and 157 at-risk nonparticipants found (1) comparable dropout rates, self-concept scores, and reading and math achievement; (2) decline in participants' grades and attendance after the program; and (3) higher degrees of internality in cognitive…