The article reviews the history of special education in Australia over the last 30 years and identifies issues including the efficacy of early intervention programs, legislation and other governmental acts, the move to integration, attitudes toward integration, and establishment of a multidisciplinary center providing training, resource, and…

Advocates ecological and normalizing approaches for teaching art to disabled students. Argues against a medical model by stressing that art education should not be designed to compensate for the behaviors and characteristics of a diagnosed disability. Refers to several programs which are based on these beliefs. (KO)

Reviews 100 lower court decisions since the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandated access to education for handicapped students. Concludes that the courts have remained willing to support parents in obtaining services for their handicapped children. (FMW)

Describes the development, implementation, and implications of a speech-pathology-based language intervention program originated at the Children's Place, Ltd., day-care center. The program combines individual speech and language therapy by a speech and language pathologist with speech and language intervention by teachers in the classroom, thus…

Criticizes an anti-inclusion article by Smelter, Bradley, and Yudewitz in the September 1994 issue of "Kappan" for its misguided conclusions. In light of today's heterogeneous classrooms, the authors' assumptions about regular-education teachers' capabilities are both faulty and insulting. All children learn best in regular classrooms…

Observations of interactions in a day care center serving deaf and hearing children focused on eight children (either deaf or hearing and with either deaf or hearing parents). Although deaf and hearing children interacted with those of other hearing status, there was a stronger tendency to initiate communication with same hearing status peers.…

Mainstream teachers (n=127) in grades one through eight completed a self-evaluation concerning the instructional strategies they used and their attitudes toward their own efficacy and toward mainstreaming. Analysis indicated that teachers with less positive attitudes toward mainstreaming tended to use effective mainstream instructional strategies…

This study investigated effects of social interactive strategies (such as, contingent imitation, natural reinforcement contingency, and time delay) in promoting early social-communicative skills of a preschool child with developmental disabilities during daily classroom activities. Results indicated that the child's eye contact, joint attention,…

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…

During the early years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the courts generally deferred to school officials on least restrictive environment (LRE) matters and ruled in favor of more restrictive placements. Recent cases may signal that the courts may be growing impatient with school officials for not providing less…

Elementary students (n=150) with learning disabilities were interviewed regarding their preferences for special education service delivery. Students (who were all currently receiving pull-out services) preferred receiving extra help in the special education class from the special education teacher. Students' preferences were not related to age,…

Inclusive education for students with disabilities is consistent with educational reform principles emphasizing high standards for all students, specified outcomes, authentic assessment systems, interdisciplinary teaching teams, and school organizational modifications supporting reform. In one Missouri junior high school, special education…

This article explores the effects of the integration movement on the placement of preschoolers with disabilities and describes the effects of integration and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) methodology on assessment and instructional practices. The paper concludes that programs following the DAP guidelines can be adapted to promote…

Analysis of survey responses from 33 residential schools for the blind found that 45% of students were classified as without other disabilities, 39% of graduates went on to college, 49% were in grade 8 or lower, over 30% of students were day students, and most schools provide mainstreaming opportunities (particularly during high school). (DB)

This study explored psychosocial diversity of two groups of gifted adolescents: those who feel different from their nongifted peers (n=379), and those who do not (n=94). Comparisons between groups on demographic variables, perceptions of self and other students, and school behavior showed the latter group manifesting greater desire for social…