A survey of 141 elementary and 79 secondary teachers of students with mild handicaps found that the average student-teacher ratio was 4.7:1, with a range of 1:1 to 15:1. Minor differences were found as a function of the students' categorical designations and elementary versus secondary level. (Author/JDD)

A survey of 197 regular education teachers who had students with mild handicaps in their classrooms gathered data about structural arrangements, adapted instruction, use of adult aides, and size of groups. Results showed little indication that teachers change their instructional methods for such students. (JDD)

Observation of the different instructional grouping arrangements used with mildly handicapped students revealed that the different arrangements produced diverse student responses, such as higher participation during individual instruction, compared with entire- and small-group instruction in mainstream or special education classes. (Author/CB)

The national survey of 141 elementary and 79 secondary special education teachers documents current student-teacher ratios and instructional arrangements for students with mild handicaps receiving at least some instruction in the mainstream classroom. Overall the average student-teacher ratio was 4.7:1 with a range of 1:1 to 15:1. Minor…

Results of observations and interviews assessing the qualitative nature of reading and math instruction received by different categories of mildly handicapped learners (educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, emotionally/behaviorally disturbed), and by nonhandicapped learners (N=122), indicated few differences in instructional quality. The…

This project report describes major features of the 2-year Student-Teacher Ratio Project, including objectives, personnel, activities, findings, and resulting products. The project's purpose was to conduct an analysis of the efficacy of current practices in student-teacher ratios for providing special education services to mildly handicapped…

A survey of 197 regular education teachers representing 35 states indicated few changes in structural arrangements or adaptive instruction as a function of having handicapped students in their classes. Elementary and secondary level teachers completed a 2-page survey which explored the use of other adults in the classroom, size of instructional…

This study examined the extent to which categorical differences exist in the instructional environment for students with mild handicaps. Subjects were 30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, 30 educable mentally retarded, and 30 nonhandicapped students in grades 2-4. Twenty-four special education teachers and 54 regular…

The study investigated alternative explanations for differences in mathematics achievement between pairs of handicapped students exhibiting comparable amounts of academic engaged time. Forty-two students in grades 2-4 from urban and suburban districts participated; 14 students were classified as learning disabled, 14 as emotionally or behaviorally…

Social validity data on different student-teacher ratios were collected from 28 administrators, 31 special education teachers, and 50 parents of students in special education programs. Respondents indicated their opinions about optimal student-teacher ratios for student learning and teacher instruction, with administrators generally expressing…

The study investigated alternative explanations for differences in reading achievement between pairs of handicapped students exhibiting comparable amounts of academic engaged time. Forty-six students in grades 2-4 from urban and suburban districts participated; 16 were classified as learning disabled (LD), 14 as emotionally/behaviorally disturbed…

Special education students (21 learning disabled, 12 emotionally/behaviorally disordered, 14 educable mentally retarded) and 30 nonhandicapped students were observed to identify teaching structures and tasks experienced during reading in both mainstream and special education settings. Several setting effects and a difference in the amount of time…

The study examines the extent to which categorical differences exist in the qualitative nature of instruction for mildly handicapped students. Interviews and observations were conducted of 30 learning disabled (LD), 32 emotionally-behaviorally disturbed (EBD), and 30 educable mentally retarded (EMR) students in grades 2-4. Instruction was…

This study investigated time allocated to instruction as a function of the specific type of mild handicap and as a function of setting and subject matter content. Subjects were 122 elementary students categorized as learning-disabled, emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, educable mentally retarded, and nonhandicapped. Subjects were in mainstreamed,…

Observations were conducted to document the active academic responding and academic engagement rates of 122 elementary students (30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, 30 mildly mentally retarded, and 30 self-contained programs. Data were recorded in 10-second intervals for each student over an entire school day. During a…