The first of six articles on the topic of categorical versus noncategorical special education reviews research on the harmful effects of labeling and categorizing children and introduced the next five papers. (CL)

This paper presents a model for the preparation of Quebec teachers of special needs children across disability categories. The proposed model emphasizes collaborative consultation among regular and special educators, collaboration with parents, individualized intervention plans, and teaching of learning strategies. The paper recommends that a…

Described is the development of several key courses serving as a nucleus for a noncategorical program to prepare teachers of the mildly handicapped at Memphis State University. (CL)

Drawing upon New Hampshire data, this article analyzes transition from early intervention to preschool programs, labels assigned to preschool children, label changes as children get older, and consequences of categorical labeling. Almost one-third of children in early intervention were not eligible for preschool services because of requirements…

Students and recent graduates of a generic undergraduate special education program based on the Direct Instruction model as a basis for methods instruction were surveyed about their attitudes toward it. Results supported previous findings with inservice teachers that experience with Direct Instruction increases positive attitudes toward it.…

Quality education and rehabilitation programs for blind and visually impaired individuals are threatened by recent changes in federal and state education policy that favor noncategorical approaches in special education. Current special education policies are reviewed and suggestions are made for ways to avert domination by the interests of…

The study compared academic progress and behavioral ratings of students in an interrelated special education program with those of students in a categorical program. Subjects were 92 mildly disabled students from two rural special education cooperatives. Results indicated that overall student performance did not differ significantly between the…

The article explores implications of the noncategorization of exceptional students. One area of concern is that those children who fail in school will be lumped together with handicapped children, which, the author asserts, does an obvious disservice to both. (PHR)

An administrator of a school for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities raises concerns about assumptions of inclusive education that "all teachers can teach all children" and movements toward a generic "teacher of the handicapped" certificate. He maintains that blindness requires highly specialized interventions. (DB)

The objective of the Special Education Department at California University of Pennsylvania is to prepare broadly trained teachers of handicapped children and adults within a noncategorical performance-based model. This paper describes the program's competency clusters in such areas as applied behavior analysis, behavioral assessment,…

This document describes a policy forum convened to consider the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The forum focused on three critical issues: (1) categorical eligibility, (2) initial assessment, and (3) triennial assessment. For the topic of categorical eligibility, comments are summarized in five sections:…

This survey of 51 state directors of special education and 50 state certification officers found that, although states offering categorical certification alone outnumber those offering only noncategorical certification, there is wide variation among states and a trend toward noncategorical models. Recommendations emphasizing interagency…

Denounces the mechanical application of "diagnosis and treatment" of educational ills to children and proposes to seek wider contexts in which to view the life of the child and of the teacher. Uses a case study employing a Native American archetypal character to explore ways of reading differently the difficult, abnormal, troubled children in the…

The application of noncategorical special education in two states and categorical special education in two companion states was considered, with a focus on program practices and procedures. The effects of grade level, disability severity, and school district size on state and local implementation of the noncategorical approach were examined, and…

This commentary offers authors' reflections on their case-study approach to examining the application of categorical and noncategorical special education (EC 612 095). The reflections address why the authors decided to study this issue, how case study methodology assisted in the study, and implications of the study. (SW)