A positive reinforcement program initiated by a school nurse improved the hygiene habits of two mainstreamed learning disabled youngsters. The students' ability to clean their hands, faces, and teeth was significantly increased, and their adjustment to a regular classroom was made easier. (PP)

Discusses a study that investigated the effects of a peer tutoring inservice program on home economics teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward integrating handicapped students into the regular classroom. (JOW)

Recommendations for successful mainstreaming of mentally retarded students into the science classroom are discussed. Laying the groundwork, social integration, instructional strategies, the curriculum, and evaluation are each considered. (MNS)

Competencies required of mainstream classroom teachers were studied through a survey of 14 college and university teacher education programs, a study of 184 effective mainstream teachers, and a national study conducted by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Skills and abilities found to be important in the studies are…

A study was undertaken in Iowa to ascertain differences in attitudes about mainstreaming between elementary school physical education teachers who had handicapped children in their classrooms and colleagues who did not. Teachers with handicapped students tended to view mainstreaming more positively, but nearly all teachers felt inadequately…

Self-concept and motor performance differences were examined between 28 handicapped children with various disabilities and 108 nonhandicapped children from kindergarten to third grade. Preliminary results indicate nonhandicapped children performed better on dynamic balance and gross lateral movement for all grades. Also, handicapped children…

Teachers of emotionally disabled students in three states were surveyed to determine the availability and usefulness of information at the time of placement and reintegration of students. Implications for the collection of assessment information by school psychologists and other multidisciplinary team members are discussed. (Author/PN)

Studied dimensions underlying teacher (N=1,000) attitudes toward mainstreaming. Factor analysis isolated five dimensions that accounted for 52 percent of the variance: (1) general philosophy of mainstreaming, (2) behavior of special needs children, (3) perceived ability to teach special needs children, (4) classroom management, and (5) academic…

Describes a science education class developed for elementary school children who are blind, deaf, or emotionally disturbed. Lessons are designed to work equally well for physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, and nonhandicapped children. Concepts include modified classroom equipment, development of independence, and the role of the teacher…

Reports the results of a questionnaire on attitudes toward mainstreaming handicapped students administered to graduate counseling students. Students generally supported the value of counseling for handicapped children, yet a sizable minority believed that they did not look forward to working with the handicapped. Suggestions for counselor training…

Compared special education and regular education college students to identify teacher traits needed to deal with special needs students in the regular classroom. Results showed special education majors have stronger affiliation needs and regular education majors have higher achievement needs. Suggests characteristics needed by teachers dealing…

"Transenvironmental programming" is presented as a databased approach for promoting regular class success for handicapped students by carefully programing resource room instruction. An experimental study, with a 12-year-old student with behavior problems and academic deficiencies, is described which supports the efficacy of the approach.…

Concerns PL 94-142 enactment, specifically school responsibility to provide sex education to handicapped students. Describes training format for counselor-conducted workshops to help teachers overcome sexual myths assigned to handicapped and create emotional and educational climate conducive to sex education instruction. (NRB)

Describes teacher-training programs designed to increase music teacher effectiveness in working with mainstreamed special students. The discussion covers workshops, and inservice and preservice training opportunities available in all parts of the United States. (AM)

A study investigated the attitudes of physical education teachers toward the integration of handicapped children into their classes and examined the inservice workshop needs of teachers of handicapped students. Problems anticipated by physical educators included: (1) time in providing adequate services; and (2) nonacceptance and ridicule of…