Presents five articles examining creation of environments that address children's special needs: (1) "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" (on changing from a deficit model to a competence model); (2) "Enhancing the Environment for All Children"; (3) "Using Your Senses to Adapt Environments"; (4) "More Than a…

Researchers and practitioners have generally concentrated on the following areas of social competence: (1) social assertion; (2) interviewing skills; and (3) conversational ability. Reviews issues of methodology. Studies are reviewed and recommendations for future research are made. (Author/BJV)

Because research does not support the efficacy of any single service delivery arrangement for all mildly handicapped and at-risk students, the best approach is to maintain familiar service delivery structures while testing new ones. Direct instruction and behavioral interventions are probably the most effective classroom strategies with most of…

This article describes the nature of the embedded language components of the postsecondary classroom and Landmark College's strategies to assist students with dyslexia, attention deficit disorders, and other language-based disabilities to develop the critical and abstract thinking, reading, writing and study skills that will enable them to…

The authors present a practical model for including parents of children with learning and behavior problems in the schools. First, characteristics of families with children with learning and behavior problems are discussed. Next, 4 features of an effective program to involve parents are presented. These features are: (a) proactive design, (b)…

To respond to an increasingly diverse student population, educators need to evaluate how well teacher education programs prepare graduates in culturally responsive teaching (CRT). In this study, we used a performance-based assessment to determine whether (a) different levels of preservice preparation in CRT and (b) preparation in special versus…

This article tells the story of an instrumental music instructor, cooperating special education teacher, and a twenty-nine-member band. Although they could have chosen many paths, these two particular teachers adopted an inclusive attitude and found ways to integrate students with disabilities. The author then discusses what existing research has…

This report presents outcome information concerning programs of the Colorado Division for Developmental Disabilities. Preliminary information outlines the legislative goals and the program evaluation process, which involves a longitudinal evaluation of service outcomes for a sample of adults receiving services, using the COPAR (Colorado Progress…

Although about 53% of public higher education students are enrolled in community colleges, the proportion of students with disabilities served by the community colleges is about 71%. According to a 1995 survey of 672 community colleges across the United States, approximately 8% of students reported a disability and about half of those requested…

This set of effectiveness indicators is intended to assist Colorado communities and agencies to evaluate themselves regarding processes for the identification of young children (birth to age 5) with disabilities. First, a statement of values stresses proactivity, family empowerment, and outcome orientation. Specific effectiveness indicators are…

Carolina PALS (Programmed Alternative Learning for Students) is a program designed to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of students with mild disabilities in grades 3-10, by having one special education teacher and one regular teacher share teaching in the regular classroom. In 1992-93, the program operated in 50 schools, reaching…

This paper describes a mainstreaming model implemented at a high school in the Richardson Independent School District (Texas) for about 15 years. Implementation of the model has resulted in full mainstreaming of all special education students. The model's emphasis is on empowering students who have disabilities with the skills to be successful in…

This conference proceedings document serves to establish the state of the art, highlight important methodological and conceptual issues, and identify priorities for future research in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. The document includes the papers from two opening presentations, issue papers and reactant papers, a…

This practicum implemented a resource/consultative model in place of a pullout model that was failing to meet the needs of second grade students with specific learning disabilities (SLD), at-risk students, and regular and special educators. The practicum involved conducting team meetings, increasing faculty awareness, and implementing…

The document, in both English and French, describes a 2-year project in Guyana based on the principle of community-based rehabilitation (CBR), which stresses training local community residents as supervisors to provide training of rehabilitation workers and direct services to children with disabilities living in rural areas. The program provided…