The article describes various models of educating blind and visually impaired students in Israel, including residential schools, resource rooms, itinerant teachers, and joint and individual initiatives. Noted are the policy of encouraging mainstreaming and the autonomy of special educators in program planning. (Author/DB)

A study of fourteen countries in UNESCO's five regions looked at teacher training for mainstream education, teacher education and curricula for special education, and teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming. Results are presented and conclusions about similarities and differences are drawn. (MSE)

A study used systematic classroom observation to describe pupil behavior and pupil-teacher and pupil-peer interaction in four classrooms in schools for children with moderate learning disabilities. Results are compared with a previous study of mainstream elementary classrooms. (MSE)

An introductory editorial essay on responding differently to student differences, the theme of this issue of "Educational Leadership." Addresses problems arising from discrimination and tracking, and cites articles that show how dissimilar students can work together. (TE)

The article provides a definition of the Regular Education Initiative, considers implications for students with mild learning and behavior problems and examines such issues as labeling, assessment, identification, placement, and attitudes in special education. (DB)

Cooperative learning activities can help teachers of students with multiple disabilities increase student participation in integrated activities and identify and meet individual learner needs. Specific guidelines for forming groups, designing lesson plans, and evaluating groupwork are offered. Outcomes of implementing these activities have been…

This article sees the inclusion movement as leading to the rapid erosion of placement options for students with disabilities and notes that no single classroom can be appropriately, habilitatively restrictive for all children. It suggests that advocates of full inclusion deny realities, rights, and responsibilities involved in constructing the…

This article responds to a paper by Rhia Roberts and Nancy Mather which questions the regular class placement of students with learning disabilities. This response contends that the current reform movement in general education provides a window of opportunity for including students with disabilities and allowing schools to restructure services to…

This study investigated 60 general education teachers' beliefs, skills, and practices in planning and making adaptations for students with learning disabilities mainstreamed into general education. Results indicated that, even among skilled teachers, gaps exist between beliefs, practices, and skills. Differences were also found among elementary,…

Explains some of the significant provisions and recent case law developments in special education for the disabled in England. (78 footnotes) (MLF)

Children First, which is Nottinghamshire, England's policy to increase mainstreaming of children with special educational needs, has been implemented by planning for cooperative rather than competitive change and providing resources for change. The policy has helped maintain the profile of these children at a time when they were at risk of being…

This article introduces an adaptive art technique that has been successfully used with special needs students in integrated settings in Switzerland. The technique, "Paint Talk," encourages spontaneous painting motivated by the student's need to communicate. Guidelines for setting up the "Paint Talk" studio, interpreting…

This article provides a framework for early childhood special educators who are developing and implementing service systems for children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Services for these children should be family centered; delivered in inclusive, community-based environments; and have health care needs…

This cross-cultural study of the attitudes of special needs students examined responses from 161 students in Great Britain and 160 students in New Zealand, in both segregated and integrated settings. Students responded to a questionnaire and sentence completion task. Analysis focuses on those responses which addressed students' feelings of…

This review of legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and court cases concludes that IDEA does not compel placement of students with disabilities in regular classrooms but, rather, fully supports the continuum of placements. Principles extrapolated from these cases offer guidance to special educators making…