The trend to include mildly mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed (behavior disordered), and learning disabled children in the same generic category and in the same school programs is increasing. The author believes that the noncategorical trend in special education can endanger the appropriate education of many children. (Author)

Responses to EC 604 077 include "A Proposed Certification Model for Special Education" (Paul Sindelar et al.), "Categorical versus Noncategorical versus Cross-Categorical Teacher Certification in Special Education" (Ann Nevin), and "Do We Have to Choose Categorical versus Noncategorical?" (Judith Bondurant-Utz et…

A national survey examined opinions of state directors of special education and special education teacher educators (n=118) about generic teacher preparation. Findings supported the value of generic teacher preparation for teachers of mildly handicapped students and identified unresolved issues including the impact of such programs on service…

Mildly handicapped children share common educational needs and behavioral attributes. A general theory of learning outlines the characteristics of special learners and their implications for teaching. Components include expectancy of success or failure, selective attention, organization of input for storage, memory and recall, transfer,…

The program development guide describes the Fairfax County (Virginia) Noncategorical Early Childhood Program (NECP) which serves approximately 75 mildly and moderately handicapped children from 2 to 8 years of age with either a preschool home resource program, a class based preschool program, or a class based primary program. The guide is designed…

Forty-six noncategorically identified intermediate-level handicapped students were assigned to functionally grouped self-contained classes and were observed. Although special education teachers did not know unofficial labels applied to students (emotional disturbances or learning disabilities), they instructed emotionally disturbed children with…

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 study examined the literature and state policies concerning noncategorical certification of special education teachers. First, the issues are identified and include services organized around the categorical conditions defined in Federal law, the tendency of categorical certification to adversely affect teacher supply and limit administrative…

The instructional and political validity of current educational policy regarding categorical programs for low-achieving elementary school students are examined. The categorical organization of services for these students, characterized by a vast array of eligibility requirements, rules and regulations, and accounting systems, has resulted in a…

To evaluate suggested improvements in rural special education services, behavior disordered, learning disabled, and educable mentally handicapped students (total N=89) in grades seven through nine were compared on three measures. Instructionally relevant differences were minimal, the need for categorical resource rooms was questioned, and…

This book is written for undergraduate and graduate students in both general and special education, who are being trained to teach students with behavior disorders, mild mental retardation, and learning disabilities. The book's purpose is to provide a comprehensive overview of educational practices that influence the identification, placement, and…