Study investigated cross-training of regular and special education teachers. Researchers collected state teacher certification requirements and surveyed California teacher training programs about credentialing requirements for special education training of regular education teachers. Includes tables on special education training requirements in…

Patrick O'Hearn School in Boston (Massachusetts) has been a model integration elementary school, integrating children with disabilities with regular education students since 1989. Elements of the program include 2 teachers in each classroom of 20 students, a visually impaired principal, a family center, and a planned home visitation program. (JB)

Discusses four strategies teachers can use to encourage friendships among and to develop interpersonal skills of students when incorporating special needs children into regular classroom settings. Strategies involve: (1) establishing a classroom climate that encourages peer interaction; (2) encouraging deeper friendships with diverse children; (3)…

Discusses how one preschool boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) learned to compensate for his disability and to change his behavior after being integrated into a family day care setting which facilitated parent-provider teamwork. (BB)

A process for readying students to change from special education to regular mathematics classrooms was implemented and validated in a study involving 42 students with mild disabilities in experimental and control groups. Preparation appeared to enhance achievement while in special education, but not in the regular class. (SLD)

Short-term placements of children with visual impairments in residential schools for the visually impaired are presented as a feasible solution to difficulties experienced by these children in regular classrooms. The article discusses the duration, goals, implementation, evaluation, and administrative considerations of these placements and…

This study involved 524 students in 2 elementary schools in analyzing the effects of instructional service changes. Services included cooperative learning for sixth grade students, cross-age tutoring for special/remedial students in grades 1-3, and in-class services for all grade levels. None of the three treatments had much impact on achievement.…

Following a literature review, this article offers a model of staff development including multiple demonstrations of innovations, opportunities for practice in the training setting; and coaching to facilitate transfer and integration. Application of the model in a low-income, low-achievement school and implications for the Regular Education…

A case study illustrates comprehensive systems-change integration strategies employed by the Iowa Department of Education over the past six years and their results. A proactive leadership role is recommended to state education agencies in promoting integration. Implications for other states are discussed. (Author/PB)

Chronicles the experiences of a second-grade teacher as she accepts special-education students into her regular education classroom and emphasizes the cooperation between the special education teacher in charge of academic development and the regular education teacher who focused on the special education students' social development and the…

Describes efforts by four music teachers to combine music education students and music teachers as partners. Discusses motivation of music students and mainstreaming special education students in music education. Suggests specific methods for encouraging cooperation between music educators at the college level and music teachers. (CFR)

This ethnographic study examined one inclusive early-childhood setting over four weeks. Observations indicated that children with special needs regularly imitated behaviors, words, and skills of typically developing peers, more advanced peers with special needs, and teachers. Individualized interventions were regularly conducted within general…

Explores two contrasting educational perspectives of high school students with significant disabilities and mental retardation, providing examples from qualitative data on educators' competence- and deficit-oriented perspectives and on students' academic engagement. Competence-oriented teachers believed in and expected more from the students.…

This study compared the effectiveness of using classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) in 14 heterogeneous eighth-grade math classrooms with traditional independent student practice to teach problem-solving skills to students in beginning algebra. Both CWPT and independent practice were equally effective strategies with students identified as at risk or…

Discusses full inclusion of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) secondary students in Florida, reviewing inclusion as an instructional program in special education and in ESL; presenting related concerns; examining reasons for inclusion (comprehensible instruction, opportunities for participation and interaction, and appropriate curriculum); and…