Examines the effectiveness of imbedding strategy instruction in the context of a process approach to writing. Finds that the strategy instructional procedures had a positive effect on the fourth- and fifth-grade students' writing, for both students with and without a learning disability. Shows that, overall, improvements in story quality were…

This discussion of ethical issues in the practice of teacher collaboration linking special and regular education considers reasons for collaboration, student placement, classroom diversity and teacher stress, confidentiality, the effectiveness of collaborative interventions, and teacher attitudes and successful collaboration. (DB)

Providing additional academic challenges to gifted middle schoolers can be demanding, considering their involvement in multitudinous activities. A Pennsylvania school developed a three-prong approach that provides more rigorous curricular content and adopts the group instruction method favored by music departments and the one-on-one technique used…

Mara Sapon-Shevin and Jim Kauffman debate the potential and pitfalls of the inclusion movement. Sapon-Shevin enumerates the benefits of inclusion accompanied by adequate resources, support and commitment, teacher preparation time, restructuring, and staff development. Kauffman insists that alternative settings are necessary for some students and…

Summarizes recent research concerning inclusion's (generally positive) effects on student learning and social relations with classmates. Three meta-analyses address the most-effective-setting issue by generating a common measure, an effect size. These effect sizes demonstrate a small-to-moderate beneficial influence of inclusive education on…

Several Maryland schools are experimenting with Roots and Wings, a collaborative project of Saint Mary's County Schools, the state education department, and Johns Hopkins University. Funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, the pilot project's goals are to guarantee every child's successful completion of elementary school and to…

A survey of 281 mothers of young children with cognitive delays, communication disorders, physical disabilities, risk of delays, or typical development revealed widespread support for the benefits of mainstreaming and a substantial number of perceived drawbacks. Mothers' perceptions of mainstreaming were similar across family demographics, child…

Analysis of data from approximately 58,000 deaf and hard of hearing students (ages 6 through 21) analyzed relationships among reading comprehension and mathematics computation achievement scores, classroom attributes, and demographic factors associated with achievement. Adjustment of scores for demographic factors suggested higher performance for…

Elementary and secondary teachers (n=35) identified as effective instructors of students with handicaps in the regular classroom were interviewed. Elementary teachers reported using individualized instruction and receiving support from special education teachers more often than secondary teachers. Both groups frequently used instructional…

Presents one parent's perspective on what children of different abilities teach each other. The parent gained this perspective as a result of her son's experience with a developmentally disabled classmate in his fourth grade class. (BB)

Explores how school administrators can implement educational processes allowing full inclusion of students with disabilities into the general education program. Reviews literature on limitations of special education practices, arguments against, full inclusion, and rural communities' unique characteristics. Applies organizational behavior theories…

Supervisors of three integrated preschools were trained in a collaborative team approach to promoting children's peer interactions. Training resulted in classroom teachers increasing behaviors directed toward children with disabilities, a doubling of interactive play of children with disabilities, and increases in interactive play of comparison…

An evaluation of existing state school attendance policies for children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) indicated that most states have developed policies emphasizing inclusion of these children in the regular classroom, the use of preventive measures of hygiene and sanitation, and involvement of health officials as appropriate.…

Reviews six books covering topics of (1) creativity and play in the early childhood curriculum; (2) the involvement of families in middle school education; (3) nonverbal communication; (4) developmentally appropriate classrooms for kindergarten through third grade; (5) schools' role in teaching respect and responsibility; and (6) the practice of…

This paper discusses issues related to educating children dependent on medical technology. It examines the movement toward greater normalization for these children, the use of transdisciplinary teams to develop specific plans addressing the students' unique health care and educational needs, and possible curricular and classroom accommodations.…