Questionnaire responses of parents (n=165) of gifted students (grades five through eight) and regular classroom teachers (n=90) with at least one child attending an enrichment program indicated parents were more supportive of the program than teachers with both groups being concerned about a lack of task commitment and possible elitist attitudes…

The study surveyed 48 teachers in British primary schools concerning the use of computer-assisted learning by children with special educational needs in mainstream settings. Findings are reported concerning computer/pupil ratio, computer time for these children, teachers' knowledge of software, classroom practices, effects of increased computer…

An Iowa project working with elementary students' attitudes toward people with disabilities could be effectively revamped as a teacher inservice program involving discrimination activities, group discussions, films, orientation and observation videos, an overview of Public Law 94-142, and information about support service agencies. Includes 11…

This article comments on a paper (EC 231 901) calling for reduced preoccupation with the physical settings used for interventions with mentally retarded individuals. It recommends the application of normalization to both: (1) the social-psychological dimensions of environments and (2) the physical characteristics and strategies of service…

This commentary on EC 231 901 notes that mainstreamed education is not always appropriate and preferable to self-contained class placement for students with mental retardation. The school must identify elements of the mainstream education program that are likely to meet the child's instructional, social, and emotional needs and contribute to the…

This study found that mainstreamed fourth- and sixth-grade students with learning disabilities had significant weaknesses on a science curriculum-based assessment relative to nondisabled peers, and they rated themselves and were rated by their teachers more negatively. Mismatches were revealed in the perception of the student and teacher regarding…

Proposes nine guidelines for school staff working with students who have special health care needs. The guidelines are child related, family related, and school related. Discussion of each guideline includes illustrations of issues arising from the guideline and considerations for implementing it. (SM)

Examined how special-interest groups influence policy formulation at the state level. Researchers interviewed 46 legislators and lobbyists to trace behind-the-scenes decision making, as the Texas Legislature hastily (and misguidedly) crafted an omnibus bill with a per-pupil spending change encouraging the mainstreaming of severely disabled…

This study investigated how well 273 teachers in Georgia understood the needs of hard-of-hearing children who were mainstreamed in their classrooms. The survey found deficiencies in teachers' level of awareness and knowledge regarding their students' hearing, loss across all grade levels. The study identified limitations in using the audiology…

Under the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments, all states must now include students with disabilities in statewide and districtwide educational assessments. So far, Kentucky is the only state with a comprehensive alternative portfolio-assessment program for students unable to participate in "regular" testing…

Conflicting philosophies exist among educators and parents regarding inclusive education. This paper presents the opinions of advocates and opponents and examines research on how inclusion affects students and teachers. As schools implement inclusion, research must continue investigating its effect on all students' academic and social progress.…

Description of the development of the "Learning in Regular Classrooms" effort in China to educate students with disabilities focuses on outcomes such as a major increase in the enrollment of students with disabilities and greater involvement of educators and parents in special education and on such challenges as the development of…

A survey of 482 rural Texas superintendents examined their attitudes toward inclusion as a method of serving students with special needs. Superintendents were uncertain whether inclusion is the best method for serving special needs children and were more involved in planning for inclusion than in implementing it. Recommends actions rural…

Provides an overview of curricular and instructional adaptations, modifications, and methods that have been used to provide science instruction to students with learning disabilities. Strategies are described within the context of a textbook-based unit on the solar system. (Author/DB)

Currently, beginning physical educators are expected to teach a wide range of learners. They need information and strategies for including all learners within their classes. This paper focuses on issues related to the inclusion of students with disabilities and to gender equity and cultural sensitivity. It concludes that teachers must treat all…