Problems encountered in mainstreaming are described in this paper, with a focus on ways to avert them. Mainstreaming refers to the placement of selected special needs students in the regular classroom. Negative teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming present a major obstacle. Because teachers have a significant effect on program effectiveness, the…

Outcomes of a mainstreaming program implemented in 1984 by the Winooski Public School District (Vermont) are presented in this paper. All children in the community receive their education in general education classrooms and community settings. This paper identifies the evolutionary processes and key organizational and instructional practices that…

This collection of articles is intended to demonstrate that there is solid research to justify both ability grouping and cooperative learning with gifted students and that each approach should be used judiciously to address particular student needs. Introductory material describes the philosophy and program policy of the Center for Talented Youth…

This study investigated initial placements, current placements, and stability of placements for 1,646 graduates of special education preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds with developmental disabilities from 61 New Mexico school districts. Subjects graduated in four waves from 1986-87 through 1989-90. Major findings were that 10 percent of the…

A study evaluated the Michigan Test Battery as a placement tool and indicator of student performance at the college level for one continuing education intensive academic English program. Three issues were addressed: whether the test: (1) is being used correctly for program placement and exit; (2) is an accurate indicator of performance for…

The guidelines focus on procedures for determining eligibility for services of children with specific learning disabilities. A 13-step process is delineated from the classroom teacher's response to individual learner needs through multifactored evaluation team function to annual review and reevaluation. Throughout the process, special emphasis is…

As an effort to establish the effectiveness of writing remediation, this case study provides a descriptive history of Charles County Community College's (CCCC's) course, English 100, Introduction to Composition, aimed at establishing and strengthening skills in the use of words, sentences, paragraphs, and interrelated skills of spelling, grammar,…

The American Vocational Association's Guidance Division Interest Group on Placement and Development's past three years' activities are summarized; placement services should be cooperative and comprehensive, relative to an employment region, and eliminate multiple employer contacts. A new national model, "Placement Services Training Curriculum…

A mother discusses the problems encountered by her 7-year-old deaf daughter due to a change in her public school program from oral education to the total communication method. (LS)

Set forth are objections to three current practices in the education of the mentally retarded. (CL)

Court decisions show that whenever standardized tests are used, assurance must be given that cultural, racial, or ethnic group bias has been avoided. Multiple criteria for student placement are recommended. (DW)

Vygotskian theory suggests that maturation and learning are not mutually exclusive; rather together they constitute development and are thus dependent on each other and interactive. The concept of the zone of proximal development involves determining two developmental levels of mental functions for each learner--the actual and the potential…

The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendment of 1986 extended the six basic rights established in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to preschoolers. All preschool handicapped children (ages 3 to 5) will receive a free, appropriate public education in the same manner that the K-12 students benefit from federal law for the…

This presentation introduces the methods of negotiation and mediation in transdisciplinary decision-making, and applies the methods specifically to the educational needs and placements of students with disabilities. Four stages of mediation are described: problem identification, generation of problem-solving options, evaluation of options, and…