This article traces the trend towards greater integration of students with disabilities into general education from its origins in mainstreaming to the present call for full inclusion. A review of research concludes that the necessary attitudes, accommodations, and adaptations are not yet in place for full inclusion. (Contains references.)…

Well-being was assessed in 568 low-achieving Dutch students (ages 7-15) by means of a self-image scale consisting of 39 statements and peer acceptance through sociometric nomination and rank-order procedures. Students in special education had a slightly better self-image and were more accepted by peers than low-achieving students in regular…

Describes the origins and development of the Advanced Placement (AP) program in the United States, from its beginnings in 1951 to its success today. Suggests that for the future, AP should consolidate its gains, preserve and augment its value, and increase the opportunities for students, teachers, and schools worldwide to reap its benefits.…

This paper compares segregated, integrated, and community-based environments for instructing students with severe, multiple handicaps. Advantages and disadvantages are reviewed, recommendations for selection of suitable instructional environments are offered, and essential criteria for the evaluation of instruction in the various environments are…

This article discusses progress in the integration of the Victoria, Australia, school system following a 1984 ministerial review. Fundamental principles behind the effort such as school-based services and noncategorization of disabilities are reviewed along with resultant policies, structures, and services. Barriers to mainstreaming are identified…

The relationship between state definitions of behavior disorders and the number of children being served was examined for one year prior to implementation of Public Law 94-142 and a year following full implementation. Definitional components accounted for less than a third of the variance in prevalence rates. Influences contributing to the…

The Mainstream Assistance Teams Project in elementary and middle schools involves prereferral intervention embedded within a larger process of teacher consultation to better accommodate difficult-to-teach pupils in regular classrooms. Project interventions are prescriptive, student directed, and designed to transfer to additional school settings.…

The practice of dividing up a group of students on the basis of previous educational experience or achievement, and subjecting the different groups to different educational experiences is defended. Two case-studies of streaming in the departments of accountancy and physics at a university in New Zealand are presented. (Author/MLW)

A qualitative observational study of standardized group testing in 10 kindergartens revealed variations in testing conditions, discrepancies from standardized administration procedures, and variations in children's behavior that contributed to difficulties in maintaining a uniform testing process. High-stakes group testing in kindergarten should…

Traces the history of and rationale for awarding college credit for experiential learning in order to avoid duplicating educational experiences, accommodate preferred learning styles, respond to social changes, and promote lifelong learning. Reviews methods of assessing and documenting prior learning. Considers implications for practice. (DMM)

Naturalistic observation procedures examined the use of time by 230 elementary students with disabilities in four special education placements--regular class, resource room, special class, and special school. The least restrictive alternatives, particularly the resource room, made more in-class learning time available. (Author/DB)

Examines the extent to which retaining low achieving students affects the average reading scores of the grade in which they are retained and the next higher grade. Analyzes data from one elementary school in Kansas City (Missouri). (FMW)

Outlines the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) entrance testing and course placement procedures for the ESL program at the United Nations International School for grades 6-12. The placement procedures can serve as guidelines for administrators looking for ways to establish an ESL program or supplement the effectiveness of their ESL testing and…

Explores the problems of an extensive immigrant student population, including traumas of war and violence, racial isolation, economic struggle, and cross-cultural conflicts. Explores solutions to dilemmas involving school access, assessment and placement, tracking and ability grouping, school climate, and support services. An inset describes the…

A survey of 31 Colorado special education directors determined which handicapped children, from birth to age 5, should be served in which settings. Results found that administrators see an emerging role for the public schools, are willing to serve a broader range of young handicapped children, and see the need for more integrated settings.…