We conducted an exploratory descriptive qualitative study on extant data of responses to the state's open-ended question from their annual post-school outcomes survey: "If you could tell your school one thing, what would you tell them (make a suggestion to help better prepare current students for life after high school)?" Respondents…

Teachers in rural areas are finding that more and more special needs children are being included in their K-12 classrooms to comply with the mandate for a free and appropriate public education even in isolated small school systems. For students with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) this placement is meant to accomplish both the academic and…

This article examines findings on student perceptions of individual interventions based on the principles of universal design for learning (UDL). The examination includes a comparison of the reported perceptions of mainstreamed students with high incidence disabilities (i.e., learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or other health impairments…

Fourteen sites attempting to integrate 245 severely handicapped students (aged 3-22) with non-handicapped children were examined. Trained observers recorded social interaction between handicapped and non-handicapped students, incorporating macroscopic and microscopic views. Adaptive behavior of each S was also measured, as was teacher and school…

Steps to success in the mainstreaming of handicapped students include: (1) warm and accepting atmosphere; (2) acceptance of the handicapped students; (4) less physically restrictive classrooms; (5) successful experiences; (6) emphasis on individual strengths; (7) fair testing procedures; (8) enlivening lesson plans; (9) parent teacher…

Describes results of including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom. Highlights a decrease in fear of human differences, an increase in self-esteem, growth in commitment to personal moral and ethical principles, and an increase in responsiveness toward others needs among students. Suggests ways to create an inclusive…

This paper presents a method of identifying classroom social structures that can be used by teachers involved with writing behavioral objectives and Individualized Education Plans (IEP). By measuring the classroom environment, one has a greater probability of achieving the desired learning environment. A sociometric test enables the teacher to…

Suggestions to facilitate the reentry of the disabled student into the regular classroom are offered, and information on resource materials is presented. A chart lists mainstreaming materials for the normal child, children's books about handicaps, and teacher resource materials, along with the publishers' addresses, type of handicap, type of…

The documents make up the final report and executive summary of the Special Teens and Parents (STP) study which investigated the impact of certain provisions of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) on 16 learning disabled secondary students and their parents. Part I of the final report describes the study design (a…

The overall objective of this study was to assist vocational teachers and administrators in assessing the vocational aptitudes of handicapped students by conceptualizing a model. Various parts of the model included identification of diagnostic tools and measures, the job matching process, and the development of the Individual Education Program.…

This booklet provides answers to questions that may arise when learning or socially disabled children are placed in regular classrooms. The introduction gives the background of classifying students in the New Jersey school system and lists the twelve classification categories: (1) emotionally disturbed; (2) neurologically impaired; (3) trainable…

Discusses the growing legal, philosophical, and empirical support for allowing students with severe handicaps to attend regular classes with peers of the same age. Presents advantages of integration for students with and without handicaps. Resources for bringing about integration are described. (GLR)

The Neighborhood Schools Project in Iowa was designed to evaluate a new special education service delivery system emphasizing prereferral intervention, collaboration, problem solving assessment, and frequent performance monitoring. Approximately 130 students with Individualized Educational Plans at 12 schools and an equal number at comparison site…