Application of systematic research synthesis procedures to 28 studies of general education teachers' attitudes toward inclusion indicated that, overall, about two-thirds of the teachers support inclusion. Their support, however, varied depending on the disability. Only one-third or less believed that they have the time, skills, training, or…

Discusses issues in mainstreaming visually impaired students to a middle school. Considers the decision to mainstream a special needs student, the use of paraprofessionals, modifications to classroom and curriculum, technology equipment, socialization, and student attitudes toward the new student. (JPB)

Investigated how rural teachers managed their work in inclusive classrooms. Interviews and observations developed the theory of selective adaptation, which suggests teachers can be classified as technicians, strategists, or improvisers according to the extent to which they selectively adapt classroom practices. A relationship existed between the…

Two studies examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of typically-developing children attending inclusive, university- or community-based early-childhood programs and the beliefs of their parents. Found that parents' beliefs and children's attitudes toward children with disabilities were positively related to the frequency of children's…

Describes Israel's special education system and educational legislation, focusing on changes in special education concepts and ideological perceptions, systemic structural changes locally and nationally, and curricular and intervention perspectives. Examines diverse solutions for resolving the conflict between providing the most supports and…

Describes how various European countries are providing school choice for students with learning disabilities, focusing on the experiences of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, each of which has adopted school choice as part of its national educational policy, with very different provisions in the area of special education. The paper also…

Traces the experiences of two Spanish-speaking children of Puerto Rican origin learning to read and write English as they learned to speak it in mainstream first-grade classrooms in an urban school where instruction followed a basal series. Discusses their accomplishments in language and literacy in terms of issues in second language acquisition…

A study examined parent and caregiver perceptions of educational opportunities for 17 students with severe disabilities in an inclusive high school and 27 students with severe disabilities in a high school that focused on community-based programs. Results indicate that interview participants supported inclusive schools and believed children were…

This case study chronicles the use of two educational planning tools, COACH (Choosing Outcomes and Accommodations for Children) and VISTA (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) for a 4-year-old with Down syndrome who attends a general education preschool. The decision-making process and follow-up interviews are described, illustrating the…

A study investigated teacher and parent attitudes in the United Arab Emirates toward children with Down syndrome and educational services provided for them. Despite positive attitudes toward the inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools, the study found barriers toward the inclusion of children with Down syndrome.…

The purpose of the current study was to examine beginning special educators' experiences in their attempts to implement two key requirements associated with reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997: access to the general education curriculum and participation in general education programs. We conducted in-depth interviews…

The study collected and contrasted the opinions of different sectors of the educational community about the functioning and integration of students with special educational needs. In order to do this, a broad questionnaire was sent to teachers of diverse educational stages, to counsellors, parents and to students, both with and without special…

Recent developments in the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) have produced a national pupil database (NPD) that contains information about the attainments of individual pupils. Every child in the country has been allocated a unique pupil number (UPN), which means that the academic progress of individuals can be tracked over time. It is…

John Olav Myklebust is Professor of Sociology at Volda University College in Norway. In this article, he discusses his analysis of data emerging from a longitudinal study of 494 young people with special educational needs who have been followed over a period of six years. This analysis focuses on the attainments of these students during their time…

Inclusion of children with disabilities in today's classrooms poses a challenge to teachers, principals, and parents not only to prepare students with special needs for the classroom, but also to overcome the misconceptions of general education students. The author of this article offers suggestions and strategies designed to help principals and…