When the Salamanca Statement called upon States to recognise the 'necessity and urgency' of providing students with a disability access to the regular education system (UNESCO 1994, viii), both Australia and the United States of America had existing legislative and policy documents articulating the rights of students with a disability to access…

Since the passage of Public Law 94-142, federal law has prioritized the education of students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers in the context of the general education classroom. This chapter examines the progress, and often lack thereof, with regard to educating students with extensive and pervasive support needs in inclusive…

Students with significant disabilities continue to be among the most segregated in schools. In this article, we argue that the principles of least restrictive environment and involvement and progress in the general curriculum have been interpreted in ways that perpetuate segregation, rather than increasing students' access to meaningful curriculum…

This case study uses an institutional ethnography approach to investigate the experiences of the parents of a son who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they engaged in meetings related to his progress and placement with school personnel over the course of one school year. Through an analysis of the discourse used in these meetings and…

For centuries past, children with a hearing loss were educated separately from their hearing peers. With the advent and passing of several legislative and Congressional mandates such as "The Rehabilitation Act," "The Education for all Handicapped Children Act" and "No Child Left Behind," children with a hearing loss…

Response to intervention (RTI) can be considered an everyday practice in many parts of the United States, whereas, in Finland, only recently has a new framework for support in learning taken shape. Choosing Finland as the comparative partner for this policy paper is justified as its educational system has been widely referenced on the basis of…

Despite long-standing antidiscrimination laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which are meant to guarantee equal access, many school and community choirs appear to be populated primarily by students with typical physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities. The purpose of this article…

A representative excerpt of the information presented at a special education due process hearing is offered to acquaint parents, educators, and hearing officers with the nature of a hearing and the potentially serious consequences of a hearing officer's decision. Material traces the proceedings from initial correspondence regarding the hearing for…

Examples of three emotionally disturbed children whose behavior deteriorated in regular class placements are cited to support the author's contention that the least restrictive environment principle may err in the direction of underserving and underprotecting handicapped children. Also questioned is the violation of individual differences by…

Intended for parents and interested professionals, the document describes P.L. 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children's Act) regulations concerning the right to a fair hearing. Topics covered include reasons a parent might request a hearing; what happens at a hearing; hearing rights; rules of evidence; use of expert witnesses, translators,…

The author describes her discussion with school personnel, administrators, tutor/interpreters, and deaf students, regarding the effects of mainstreaming and P.L. 94-142. She cites general dissatisfaction with both the social and intellectual progress made after 10 years of the legislation and notes difficulties with the concept of least…

In an interview, K. Wyatt, president of The Council for Exceptional Children, discusses issues related to determining the most appropriate and least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for mentally retarded persons. (CL)

The article discusses two provisions--least restrictive environment and the individualized education program--generated by P.L. 94-142, Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Priorities for effective mainstreaming are considered, and opposition to the least restrictive environment concept is examined. It is concluded that the key to P.L.…

The paper reviews recent major policy and legal changes in the United States concerning programs for handicapped students, with emphasis on the "least restrictive environment" principle. A set of ten "clusters of capability" is proposed to define some of the new or enlarged areas of responsibility of regular teachers. (Author)

The article clarifies what is meant by the "least restrictive environment" as mandated by P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), particularly as it relates to hearing impaired children. (SBH)