Interviews with directors and counselors at five camps that integrate children with disabilities into their programs show that integration is successful when there is adequate staff preparation and ongoing peer support and coaching. Interviews with 124 anglers revealed that although there are racial and gender differences in reasons for fishing,…

Examines support for mainstreamed English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students; support systems available to mainstreamed ESL students and their teachers; language learning issues; and practices and strategies for teaching these special students. Weaves throughout points related to second language acquisition theory as the basis for ESL teaching.…

Proposes the theoretical reappropriation of the labeling perspective as a theory of transformative social valuing, considering how misappropriations of labeling deviance theory undercut the salience of its critique and legitimate segregationist and deficit models of remedial and special education. The paper asserts that if there is to be any…

Assessed student teachers' views of a collaborative cohort experience where four faculty members provided seamless instruction to illustrate effective collaboration. Data surveys and focus groups indicated that, in contrast to campus-based instruction, the collaborative cohort model improved preservice teachers' attitudes toward integrating…

Presents three short replies from readers (a special educator, a teacher educator, and a superintendent) of this journal to a question about productive ways of dealing with the many instructional and affective issues raised by including gifted students and students with disabilities in the regular classroom. (SR)

Examined factors that had a positive and negative effect on the social experiences of elementary students with and without disabilities in inclusive physical education classrooms. Data from observations and interviews indicated that the physical education teacher had a positive influence on students' social experiences, while cultures, student…

This study examined the epistemological beliefs of elementary teachers through their descriptions of their work with students with disabilities. Differences in teacher belief constructs were related to instructional practices and to the prevailing beliefs in a school about teachers' responsibilities for students with disabilities. Teachers'…

Inclusive education has become the educational model for a number of Christian schools in the Reformed Christian tradition. This paper traces the development of Christian School International member schools in North America, focusing on changing parental expectations, the schools' sphere of influence in the family and community, and the church's…

Comparison of short and long duration consultant-driven prereferral interventions with 60 general elementary educators, 60 pupils with special needs, and 22 consultants found that both variants were equally effective in improving teacher perceptions of their students and in decreasing referrals for testing and possible special education placement.…

Examines the development and use of a resource-components cost model for local planning, policy, and decision making in special education. A local district case study found that any systematic examination of special education instructional costs must allow for variations in student use and that district budgets materially understate real special…

A review of findings on integration of disabled students into regular education in Australia finds a major deficiency in available information. Although studies reveal some success in integration, it depends on individual characteristics, early educational experiences, and provision of support services in the schools. Areas for future research are…

The Parent Checklist was developed for parents of hearing-impaired children to use when evaluating prospective mainstreamed classrooms. Areas of assessment include: physical environment, teacher, attitude of school, information regarding the student, and special services. (Author/PB)

The study with 135 children (3-12 years of age) with Down Syndrome or other developmental disabilities found no significant differences in rate of gain across 6 domains when the amount of time in mainstreamed environments was varied. Down Syndrome subjects improved expressive language skills most at sites with no integration. (Author/DB)

Describes the secondary vocational/special education program at Elk Mound, Wisconsin, that was selected as one of 12 exemplary programs nationwide for use of Carl Perkins funding. The program prepares students with disabilities for the work world through participation in mainstream vocational courses. (Author/JOW)

A local education agency administrator offers philosophical and practical perspectives on the issue of the regular education initiative. She stresses the importance of timing in implementation, concerns about service delivery and legal requirements, keeping all options open for each child, and keeping the debate open. (DB)