Analysis of questionnaires completed by regular and special elementary teachers, parents of disabled and nondisabled students, and nondisabled and disabled students identified factors conducive to integration and revealed patterns of attitudes toward integration. (CL)

Data were collected for 2,752 students from 22 school districts in two states. In one state, approximately 30 percent of the graduates were placed in regular classrooms while in the other state, 16 percent were found in regular classrooms. Approximately 80 percent of severely disabled preschool graduates were placed in self-contained special…

In two studies regular elementary classroom teachers were observed as they interacted with (1) nonhandicapped high achievers, (2) nonhandicapped low achievers, and (3) mildly handicapped students. It was concluded that, despite varied student-teacher interaction, there is no strong evidence that general preferential treatment is consistently…

The concept of mainstreaming and delivery of services is briefly examined from a principal's perspective. The characteristics which shape a principal's effectiveness are listed and research is cited to show that principals want more responsibility than they now have. Principals are urged to share their mainstreaming experiences with others.…

The paper describes a decision making model for planning and implementing an integration program for exceptional children. Four phases are addressed (sample steps in parentheses): (1) information gathering (functional skills assessment), (2) information synthesis (long range goals), (3) program implementation (individualized education program…

Questionnaires completed by teachers in mainstreamed preschools and parents whose children attended mainstreamed preschools indicated no significant differences among teacher responses based on type of mainstreaming setting, but there were significant differences concerning the value of preschool mainstreaming, the social interaction of the…

Analyses of play suggested more sophisticated levels in segregated than integrated settings. There were no differences between the two settings in appropriateness of play, type of interaction, percentage of attending to teacher-directed learning activities, or quality or quantity of their language in the two settings. (Author/CL)

In an examination of a school-based program to develop creative thinking skills of gifted children in the beginning intermediate grades, few differences were found in curricular achievement between gifted children in segregated homogeneous classes and in hetergeneous classes. (Author/CL)

A science and life program developed for mainstreamed secondary students is based on commercially available modules on such topics as pregnancy and fetal development, automobile safety, and heart disease. The program features cooperative group activities, peer tutoring, and ongoing evaluation. (CL)

The author describes her experiences as facilitator of a support group for mainstreamed deaf adolescents. Covering such topics as difficulties communicating with family members and conflicts with hearing peers and teachers, the group featured role playing and discussion. (CL)

Seven intellectually handicapped (IH) children were integrated into a mainstream school on a part-time basis over a period of 18 weeks. Compared to IH children in the special school, integrated children showed larger increases in associative play in the special school free-play period but no differential change in classroom behavior. (Author/CL)

Analyzes issues related to integrating handicapped children into regular classroom settings--particularly staff development and preparation of normal as well as handicapped children. (MS)

Recently passed state legislation outlines broad changes regarding the manner in which handicapped children are to be educated in future years. The Shift of Emphasis Project examines the implications and establishes possible training models for the accomplishment of the goal of teaching the handicapped in the regular classroom. (Author)