Discusses five factors that may influence the reading readiness of mainstreamed children: visual and auditory capabilities, motor development, spatial concepts, vocabulary development, and social and emotional status. Offers suggestions for use in facilitating a mainstreamed child's reading development. (FL)

Criticism has been made of continuing to increase expenditures of funds to assist the economically disadvantaged and the handicapped. Past decades have seen discrimination against "gifted" children due to a fear of creating an "elite." Recent federal funding has begun to create special programs for gifted children. (JN)

Mainstreaming autistic children requires dealing with certain types of behavior: disruptive behavior, learning problems, and difficulties functioning in group-oriented activities. Recent advances in behavioral treatment procedures have alleviated some of these problems. (MH)

References to other publications point to useful sources of information and advice for college administrators and faculty leaders seeking to assure access for the handicapped. Knowledgeable people, organizations, local and state laws, and national resources are the major sources of information noted. (Author/JMD)

Reviews issues concerning learning disabled (LD) students in the college environment, including demographics of this population, related federal legislation, principles underlying policy concerning LD students, distinction between accommodation and privilege for LD students, the uniqueness of each student's needs, and the simple nature of most…

This article examines three legal and policy issues affecting students with emotional and behavioral disorders: placement in the least restrictive environment; discipline of students who present a danger to staff and students; and inclusion of students with disabilities in accountability and assessment programs. (DB)

Provides a case study in support of inclusion of autistic children in regular school classrooms. Argues that special needs children must experience an environment that resembles the typical outside world. Examines the role of special education, experience in the classroom, and preparation for life. Reiterates that skills acquired to manage life…

Describes the "sister school" partnership between the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut and nearby Braeburn, a public K-5 school. The reciprocal program, which allows several students from each school to spend time in the others' classes, emphasizes the commonalities of all students while still being aware of…

This paper reviews the literature validating inclusive practices that benefit most students in the classroom, maintain the integrity of the curriculum, and can be practically implemented. Peer tutoring, cooperative learning, content enhancement routines, curriculum revision, and strategies instruction are all examined and evaluated. (PB)

This article reviews special education in Ireland and concludes that despite greater resources in special education as a result of critical reports and legal judgments, Ireland has retained the parallel systems of special and mainstream education and placement of students with disabilities is still principally determined by a categorical approach.…

This essay reviews "Special Education: A Matter of Choice" (Josephine Jenkinson), a book that discusses the major issues and changes that have occurred in special education in the various states and territories of Australia over the past 30 years. It is concluded that the book is an extremely useful guide. (CR)

Discussion of the successful integration of technology to assist students with mild handicaps in mainstreamed classrooms highlights the role of the teacher. Three research studies are described: one with elementary schools, one with middle schools, and one with high schools. Curriculum objectives, student needs, group learning, and teacher…

Focuses on the population of children with HIV infection who require special education. Discusses strategies for litigation using the Education of the Handicapped Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation to prevent unlawful discrimination against these children. (MLF)

Among 580 Colorado physical education teachers with mainstreamed handicapped students, 87 rural teachers served the fewest mainstreamed disabled students, were the most involved in the placement process, had the smallest budgets, and had the best overall participation in designing individualized educational programs despite limited assessment…

The academic performance of 86 mainstreamed learning-disabled students was compared with that of 87 low-achieving students. Significant differences were found between the groups' grades in social studies and health but not in science. Of intelligence quotient, reading level, and absence rates, only absence rates differentiated between ninth grade…