The article argues that students with severe intellectual disabilities should attend their local "home school" where they should have an individualized educational program in both regular and special settings, with the necessary resources applied to develop, maintain, and enhance social relationships with nondisabled peers. (Author/DB)

Suggests that special education is actually a thoroughly good ordinary education, in which the teacher adapts teaching methods to fit each child's learning capacity. Discusses mainstreaming approaches characterized by success structuring, individualized educational plans, and behavior management programs. Includes 12 references. (SV)

Surveys teachers, students, students' parents, and parents of mentally handicapped students for their attitudes regarding the mainstreaming of Moderately-Severely Mentally Handicapped students. Finds that attitudes toward mainstreaming, except those of handicapped students' parents, were generally negative. (RAE)

A participant observer describes activities taking place at a L'Arche community, where persons with mental handicaps live and work together with nonhandicapped members of society. Findings are reported concerning work, social life, meetings, and other events, emphasizing the sense of community created through welcoming people and sharing…

A practical approach is outlined for adapting teacher-made tests to meet the needs of mildly handicapped mainstreamed students. The approach calls for modifying test construction, test administration, and test sites, and teaching test-taking strategies. A table lists test-taking problems (poor comprehension, poor auditory or visual perception,…

The 1987 survey of 57 residential schools for the deaf found that the varying state interpretations of Least Restrictive Environment under Public Law 94-142 are a major determining factor in the role played by the residential school. Survey results were compared to a similar 1977 survey. (DB)

The study compared teachers' ratings of the mathematics achievement of severely to profoundly hearing impaired Israeli students in special schools, special classes, and mainstream placement. When variables related to communication skills and intellectual potential were controlled, teacher ratings of student mathematical achievement was lower for…

This article examines the role of the support and advisory teacher in serving handicapped students in the British educational system. Stressed is the process of developing a positive profile so that teachers perceive the support staff positively. A model of varieties of credibility is applied to the support teacher's role. (DB)

Characteristics of secondary students with a learning disability in reading are reviewed, and the stages of reading development are outlined. Strategies for academic and social inclusion of these students are discussed, including peer tutoring, guided notes, cooperative learning, learning strategies, and teaching reading in the content area. (JDD)

Twelve preschoolers took part in an educational program designed to encourage social interactions with disabled children. Preschoolers who received the educational program made 14 positive social interactions with a visiting disabled child, compared to 2 made by a control group who did not receive the program. (MDM)

Examined effects of multicomponent, participatory school reform process by measuring teachers' perceptions, remedial and special education student achievement, teachers' ratings of student behavior in 12 experimental schools and 10 control schools. Found reform program resulted in positive teacher attitudes toward change process, in new approaches…

The way in which the English Department of the University of South Alabama handled the large influx of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students in its freshman writing program is described. The university developed classes especially for ESL students with the assistance of the department's ESL specialist. (13 references) (LB)

Examines issues related to current practice in early childhood special education in light of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Focuses on the appropriateness of DAP principles to the education of young children with disabilities, specifically the importance placed on play in mainstream early education and whether this can be transferred…

Discusses an activity-based approach to working with children with disabilities. Suggests that the strategies and planning involved in including a special needs child in an early childhood setting are the same as those used for planning programs for any child, but require a greater amount of detail. (HTH)

Teachers in a mainstream elementary school setting initiated a program called "Circle of Friends," to provide support for a student with deafness and behavior problems and for other students having difficulty making friends. Learning activities involved interpreting the term "friend," helping students get to know each other, celebrating their…