The study assessed elementary students' (N=680) preferences concerning special instruction for learning difficulties. Results of student interviews indicated children's preferences for in-class and pull-out services were affected by the service delivery model they experienced though most children preferred to receive additional help from their…

This study examined the effects of a classwide peer tutoring program on the academic performance of 20 mildly handicapped students enrolled in two separate sections of a secondary resource room program. Methodology and results are discussed. (Author/JL)

The extent of similarities and differences among educable mentally retarded (EMR), learning disabled (LD), and emotionally disturbed (ED) children was investigated with 75 resource room teachers. Teachers were asked to provide information regarding the children in their classes and some of their program activities; equal numbers of each type of…

Briefly explained are the concept, goals, function, and programing of the resource room approach to providing supplementary instructional support for mildly handicapped children. Noted in an operational mechanics section are facilities needed and procedures for initial referral, student identification and evaluation, scheduling, and reporting…

The SOBR observation technique was used to observe reading instruction in special education resource room programs for mildly disabled students. Disabled and nondisabled students in regular classrooms were also observed. There were considerable differences in reading instruction across programs and students. The amount of reading instruction was…

The literature review examines the issue of whether categorical differentiation and placement of mentally retarded and learning disabled students is educationally warranted. First, the two conditions are defined; next, a comparison between the two on psychological, behavioral-social, and educational characteristics usually ascribed to children so…

This manual was developed as part of a project investigating the effectiveness of class-wide peer mediated reading instruction with middle grade students having mild disabilities and reading difficulties. It explains the procedures for introducing, implementing, and monitoring the project's version of repeated reading, in which pairs of students…

Students in grades four to six (N=77) judged the capabilities of peers traditionally labeled as "learning disabled" or "educable mentally retarded" but depicted in written vignettes only as attending either a resource room or special classroom. Students in special classes were judged significantly less capable than students in resource room…

Parents of mildly-disabled (learning-disabled, behaviorally-disordered, mild mentally retarded) six- to eight-year-olds (N=14) called a telephone service to hear weekly spelling lists, suggested techniques for helping children learn the words, and children's performance on weekly spelling tests. Results showed an increase in the average number of…

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…

This project examined the extent to which varying instructional grouping arrangements are used for different categories of mildly handicapped students in various instructional settings and the extent to which any differences translated to differences in student responses. Observational data were recorded all day in 10-second intervals for 122…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an inclusive program for students (grades 2 through 4) with mild learning disabilities (LD) in four elementary schools in Spain. It compared two support strategies, a within-class integrated program versus resource room approach with students having either high or low learning potential. The study also…

Current state guidelines for student-teacher ratios and/or caseloads in special education programs serving mildly handicapped students (including learning disabled, mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, and speech impaired) were examined and compared with pupil-teacher ratios reported by the U.S. Department of Education. The study defined…

Observational data were collected on the instructional tasks used by 122 elementary students (30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, 30 educable mentally retarded, and 30 nonhandicapped). No differences between handicapped and nonhandicapped students were revealed in an analysis of time using each of eight specific tasks…