This review of five recent (1992 and 1993) books and journal articles is intended to illuminate characteristics of inclusive schools. The review defines inclusion as more than merely regular class placement for students with disabilities, to include a philosophy which celebrates diversity and the provision of a continuum of educational options.…

This report, covering the program year 1987-1988, is designed to inform the Congress of the status of children with disabilities in Head Start programs. The report states that the program's mandate of having 10 percent or more of the total number of enrollment opportunities in Head Start programs available for handicapped children was met in each…

This report describes the activities of the Head Start program relating to children with disabilities in the 1988-1989 year. Head Start nationally achieved a 13.5 percent level of enrollment of children with professionally diagnosed disabilities. All states and jurisdictions met the federal mandate of at least 10 percent enrollment of children…

This seminar proceedings document offers a summary of the views articulated in a paper by Robert E. Johnson and others titled "Unlocking the Curriculum: Principles for Achieving Access in Deaf Education." The paper's contention was that deaf students' low average academic achievement levels are not results of learning deficits inherently…

For inclusion of students with disabilities to work successfully in schools, a sense of community among faculty and students, a shared mission, and the ability to successfully collaborate with others are essential. Activities to promote collegial relationships among faculty should be a part of each inclusion team's plan for implementing inclusion…

Recent provincial educational policy in British Columbia (Canada) supports inclusion of special needs children in the regular classroom and a philosophy of individualized education for every child. These policies have considerable impact on teachers in isolated rural schools. A survey of 32 teachers and 100 student teachers in rural elementary…

These guidelines were developed as part of Maine's statewide project for inclusive schools, Project LEARNS (Local Education for All in Regular Neighborhood Schools). The model proposes that students with severe disabilities be provided with a range of services and supports within regular classes rather than with a continuum of placements. The…

The use of a needs assessment instrument as part of the evaluation of a statewide systems change grant, "Increasing Transition Opportunities for Connecticut Youth with Disabilities," is described. A Connecticut Transition Needs Assessment instrument was revised to include seven school components and five community components identified…

This presentation addresses ways to meet the needs of African-American gifted students and offers suggestions for inclusive classroom interventions that are liberating for students who exist simultaneously in African American culture, American mainstream culture, and as gifted and talented learners. The identification of these learners must begin…

Students' willingness to befriend a mentally retarded student was investigated using written vignettes about students said to be enrolling in the subjects' school. The study population included 60 fourth grade students from 5 social studies classes in a small southern community. Students were randomly assigned to experimental or control…

This paper presents 15 questions for educators and administrators to ask themselves in designing and implementing inclusive and collaborative school programs. Questions, and the accompanying answers, cover such issues as funding, parental support, district philosophy, support for teachers, service delivery, teacher attitudes, regular education…

This study explored teachers' attitudes toward gifted students and students with learning problems integrated into their classrooms. A sample of 46 fourth and fifth grade teachers in a rural school district completed attitude questionnaires about all of their students and personal data forms about themselves. The teachers' attitudes toward their…

Junior Achievement (JA) offers high school students its traditional evening program, in which business advisors help students run their own mini-businesses. In 1980, JA offered this program to mentally, emotionally, and physically disabled students aged 16-21. The special needs component operates an in-class program where students run companies…

This document reports on the proceedings of a forum on special education, called by Alberta's Minister of Education. The forum was intended to present Alberta Education's preliminary position on the integration of students with special needs and solicit feedback, review concerns raised in the Special Education Review Action Plan, and provide ideas…

Focusing on special education and early childhood policy and practices, this paper highlights global educational and social forces that demand professional attention and study. These global forces include: (1) the movement toward educational reform and an improved competitive edge in the world marketplace; (2) the unionization of educational…