This collection of papers offers advice on restructuring education to create heterogeneous schools, with the goal of creating happy, comfortable, and successful learning environments for all the children and adults who learn and teach in them. Section I, titled "A Rationale for Restructuring and the Change Process," contains the following papers:…

This text aims to provide information, strategies, techniques, innovative ideas, and encouragement for teachers, administrators, and parents in implementing a diversity perspective to education for children ages 3 to 8 years. Major focuses are on ethnic, gender, and social-class differences, but issues related to special needs children, including…

This report examines the development of school choice policies as an element of educational reform, describes open enrollment as one form of school choice, outlines other types of school choice programs, describes Minnesota's various forms of educational choice, explores arguments for and against choice, and discusses issues and concerns for…

A survey was conducted of 82 rural parents of students with disabilities or giftedness on the topic of open enrollment. The survey examined demographic characteristics, sources of information, reasons for transfer, and changes in parental involvement with schools. Most of the rural students with special educational needs who chose to participate…

The findings of two studies conducted with resident teachers participating in alternative teacher certification programs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are reported in three reports; a summary and two study reports. The role of the teacher in diagnosing the physical and learning disabilities of students is not clearly identified, but…

These instructional materials are designed to improve the performance of paraeducators working in transitional services and supported employment for teenagers and young adults with disabilities. The competency-based program helps participants to learn skills they can apply immediately, to accept new practices, and to increase their understanding…

This document provides an overview of the third edition of "A Counselor's Guide to Career Assessment Instruments" to be published in 1994 and a brief review of the nearly 300 instruments included in the guide. The history of the guide's development and its major components are outlined. Presented next are brief descriptions of 16 recently…

This text of a hearing on the reauthorization of the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 addresses such issues as clearer standards of accountability, establishment of low-interest loan programs for consumers, increased assistive technology training, outreach to minority populations, dissemination of…

This practicum focused on the problem of lack of involvement of the parents of 32 mainstreamed fifth grade students with special learning needs. Evening workshops were conducted for parents and their at-risk, mainstreamed students in fifth grade. Sessions focused on the use of computers, manipulatives, make and take home instructional games, study…

Eight high school students who were peer tutors in a classroom for students with severe disabilities were matched in pairs and then randomly assigned to interact with and serve as a partner for a classmate with severe disabilities. One participant in the pair received social interaction training, and one participant did not. Statistical analysis…

Placing reading instruction in a child-centered, language-rich environment, this book provides preservice elementary teachers at the undergraduate and introductory graduate level with a detailed understanding of how to implement a developmental reading program. The book discusses the role of basal readers, and also discusses teaching reading…

This annual survey of respite care and crisis nursery programs funded by the Children's Bureau of the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contains program information for 43 crisis nursery programs and 65 respite care programs. Data on crisis nurseries and on respite care programs…

Written for librarians and school library media specialists, this book is designed to foster awareness and encourage confidence in serving the needs of children with disabilities. It provides practical guidelines for recognizing and understanding many disabilities, including vision, hearing, and speech impairments; emotional, behavioral, and…

This document describes the systematic approach used at Philips High School (PHS) in Birmingham, Alabama, to collect, store, and use various diagnostic tools when assisting special population enrollees with choices influencing their educational/occupational goals. It explains how the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) is used in combination with…

This document, the first of five volumes that comprise the final report of the National Assessment of Vocational Education contains a policy statement by the Advisory Panel and a summary and recommendations. "The Future of Perkins--A Policy Statement" (Laurel McFarland) outlines three principles that the next Perkins Act should develop:…