The Policy Analysis Study of the Research Institute on Preschool Mainstreaming investigated the manner in which states and local districts have implemented the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs' recommendation that preschoolers with mild to moderate disabilities participate in mainstream programs such as Head Start. A national survey of…

Differences in the play behavior of three mildly, three moderately/severely handicapped and three nonhandicapped preschoolers were examined. Videotapes of free play interaction were analyzed according to existence and appropriateness of interaction and type of noninteraction (toy-directed, self-directed or non-appropriate). Data were analyzed…

Approaches used in public schools across the country to integrate severely handicapped students with nonhandicapped students are described. Programs have implemented physical integration in a variety of ways, including sending severely handicapped students to neighborhood schools and dispersing classes of severely handicapped students in regular…

This factsheet describes a theater workshop in London, England, called Chicken Shed, in which children with and without disabilities or learning difficulties work together to produce performances for public audiences. The factsheet describes the members of the theater workshop, the group's philosophy, the opportunities it offers, the impact of…

Two studies examined the interaction of regular classroom teachers with nonhandicapped high achievers, nonhandicapped low achievers, and mildly handicapped third and fourth graders. In both studies, teacher-student interaction was defined by using dependent measures derived from the Brophy-Good Teacher-Child Dyadic Interaction System. Multivariate…

The digest explores aspects of serving the learning disabled (LD) student in vocational education classrooms. It is noted that LD students may have difficulty following directions and understanding lectures and may forget more often than other students. A list of seven accommodations that can be made for LD students in vocational classrooms…

The digest focuses on being comfortable around handicapped children and offers suggestions for classroom teachers working with mainstreamed handicapped students. The importance of treating the child as normally as possible is emphasized. Questions of pity are dealt with. Teachers are urged to handle children's frustrations and accomplishments in…

The report presents results from an evaluation of the "Side-by-Side" program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, designed to integrate institutionalized severely handicapped high school students into the public school system. Following a brief review of the program's history and a description of the evaluation's in-depth interview approach, the program's…

Factors underlying attitudes toward mainstreaming were examined for 38 elementary school principals, 45 special education administrators, 84 regular elementary school teachers, and 80 special teachers. A mainstreaming questionnaire was devised around four factors: academic concerns, socio-emotional concerns, administrative concerns, and teacher…

In a study of the mainstreaming practices of a large urban school district, schedules of 844 mildly handicapped elementary students were examined. Schedule appropriateness was defined by three factors: assignments of handicapped students to a fixed group of regular students, to a grade-appropriate group, and for the full sequence of scheduled…

The emergence and importance of educational interpreters for hearing impaired students are reviewed. Qualifications in the Mesa (Arizona) Public Schools for this position are set forth, including certification and ability to work on a team. Duties beyond interpreting include assisting in normal classroom routines and procedures and acting as…

The paper draws on the experiences of a mainstreamed early education program to consider ways that preschool programs can make themselves accessible to families with handicapped children. The importance of clearly stated program intent is stressed along with accurate staff perceptions of handicapping conditions. Ten steps are then offered: (1)…

A descriptive study designed to assess the types of requirements used to prepare elementary preservice regular class teachers for education of the handicapped surveyed 102 schools granting a baccalaureate degree in elementary education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Most accredited programs either…