Adult students in three distance education programs completed the Distance Education Student Progress Inventory. Social and academic integration had a significant effect on academic achievement and persistence. Successful part timers were able to integrate school, work, family, and social demands; those who had difficulties often blamed external…

This article applies four theoretical perspectives to the development of Group Action Planning, which supports infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in inclusive environments. Practical suggestions for implementing Group Action Planning are offered, as is a longitudinal vignette of its application with one individual with…

Even in stories for the very young child it is possible to identify an ideological point of view. Attempts to demonstrate the relationship that exists between the stories children hear and the acculturation process by examining specific children's stories and the values they engender. (MDM)

Describes the author's experiences as a Catholic educator in different parts of the United States, emphasizing the evolution of his educational and spiritual philosophy. Highlights the author's attempts to provide a multicultural education to diverse students that allows students to have a global perspective while maintaining their individual…

Two letters from German educators respond to an article by Carola Murray-Seegert (EC 602 675) on mainstreaming of people with disabilities in Germany. The letters, in both the original German and English translation, basically support the article's premises and urge increasing efforts toward integration of the disabled in Germany. (DB)

To accommodate its moderately and severely handicapped students, the Saline (Michigan) Schools developed an inclusive community model requiring age-appropriate placement, integrated delivery of educational and related services, social integration, transition planning, community-based training, curricular expectations, systematic data-based…

Although children with moderate to significant disabilities participate in regular education, they often attend a school outside their own neighborhood, thereby limiting the effects of mainstreaming. The La Grange Area (Illinois) Department of Special Education has experimented with various learning strategies to facilitate inclusion and imparts…

This study examined the attitudes and knowledge level of 105 special educators about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Five factors (integration/segregation, knowledge, willingness to educate, testing, privacy) were identified. Results indicated that teachers were knowledgeable and were willing to…

Qualitative research methods were used to examine practices at an elementary school providing inclusive schooling for students with and without disabilities. Findings indicated that systems change occurred slowly, intentionally, and with a collaborative process of decision making which stressed development of policies, conditions, and supports…

The article offers 10 questions to aid in integrating hearing-impaired preschoolers into a child care program. Questions address such concerns as staff and children learning to communicate with the deaf child, interpreting, social integration, group size, and helping the deaf child achieve status. (DB)

Multiculturalism is the best approach to helping higher education in the United States make the most of recent demographic changes. Multicultural curricular reform is the cornerstone to successful multicultural education. Isolationism by discipline, interest, or ethnic group, when temporary, is not intrinsically wrong but should be balanced with…

To foster community among students, teachers require training that gives them a positive community experience and equips them with experience-based pedagogical and curricular tools. Stanford University's Experiential Curricula Project embodies five principles: moving from students' experience to theory; engaging students in common projects;…

Examined the relationship between acculturation and familism among 182 Hispanics of Puerto Rican descent. Three dimensions of familism (familial obligations, support from relatives, and family as referents) had different relationships to acculturation. Results also suggest that acculturation may be better represented as a single, second-order…

A four-year study investigated the effects of deinstitutionalization programs on 71 individuals who remained in institutions being downsized. Results found downsizing was associated with decreased community integration, decreased availability of therapy services, and many residential and day program moves within the institution. Per person…

Summarizes a study of the economic, social, and health characteristics of unemployed people with disabilities in Slovenia. Responses by 246 unemployed people with disabilities to a questionnaire provided the data. Results are analyzed in terms of employment waiting period, educational level, economic situation, psycho-social and family situation,…