This discussion of special needs students in the context of British education supports and extends John Fish's "dimensions" concept, a descriptive system which is seen as neither crudely categorical nor completely individualized. The model involves five dimensions of special needs, each banded into six levels of need intensity. (DB)

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…

This article considers how principles of whole-theme constructivism, which integrates multiple learning sources and activates learners' creativity, are used in the University of Alabama's teacher training program, the Multiple Abilities Program. The program centers on the whole-themes of diversity, empowerment, and authenticity. The way these…

This paper discusses whole-theme constructivism as the theoretical framework for the Multiple Abilities Program (MAP), a program at the University of Alabama that prepares teachers to work with students of varying abilities. Whole-theme constructivism, which integrates multiple learning sources and activates learners' creativity, is discussed in…

Issues related to blending or consolidating services and funding to better coordinate education for exceptional students are examined in the context of educational reform and the Goals 2000 initiative. Interviews were conducted with approximately 30 federal and state officials between May 1994 and February 1995, focusing on possible barriers in…

This study investigated the differences in academic achievement of regular education students in noninclusion classrooms and of same-grade students in special education inclusion programs, to assess the impact on regular education achievement of inclusion programs in a particular elementary school. All subjects were second, third, or fourth grade…

This policy brief addresses the issue of issue of whether or not current federal funding policy under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be changed from an identification system to an overall population-based system. The current federal funding policy is described, in the context of the legislative history of IDEA.…