Art therapy enhances the cognitive abilities of most students no matter how severely affected they may be. It also provides an emotional outlet and opportunity to gain self-worth. Schools would do well to seek out educator-therapists in the arts to serve the special needs of mainstreamed children. (LHW)

Mainstreaming has resulted in the placement of large numbers of mildly mentally retarded students (amongst whom minorities are overrepresented) in regular classrooms, with little planned effort to meet their special needs. These students are now exposed to minimum competency testing, with its potential for reestablishing racially segregated…

The demands that music classes make on students may be very complex, even at the elementary level, and educators responsible for mainstreaming educable mentally retarded or learning disabled students should examine music programs carefully before deciding that they are appropriate mainstreaming environments. Music teachers should be involved in…

Cites findings of a study of 242 students enrolled in the University of British Columbia teacher education programs which suggest students may not be adequately prepared for managing mainstreamed classrooms. Discusses implications for the Canadian educational policy of placing handicapped children in mainstreamed classrooms and for teacher…

Lists books dealing with the more prevalent handicaps of mainstreamed children: visual handicaps, speech handicaps, emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, auditory handicaps, intellectual impairments, and orthopedic handicaps. Recommends books for use from preschool to level three to expose children early and influence their attitudes…

In placement decisions necessitated by PL 94-142, the multidimensional team approach may be hindered by group problems. The more structured nominal group technique (NGT) is suggested. NGT has six steps: silent, written generation of ideas; round robin reporting; group discussion for clarification; preliminary priority vote; discussion; and final…

Examines the areas in which educational misconduct involving handicapped students is likely to occur. Argues for accountability for such misconduct and discusses why remediation should be by common law tort action. Explains why the Handicapped Children Act procedures are not appropriate in litigation. (MD)

Since 1872, legislation has required that some education be provided for all Scottish children. Legislation affecting the schooling of mentally handicapped children since then is discussed. A trend away from institutionalization toward more localized and individualized treatment is noted. Despite progress, problems exist in training teachers and…

The forces for the segregation of mentally handicapped children still predominate over the forces for integration in Great Britain. The desire to keep the mentally handicapped segregated comes not from educational or medical considerations but from the stratified nature of the educational system and the political agenda of the conservative…

The weight of evidence to date suggests that distinctions among traditional remedial and special education classifications do not correspond to distinctions in the instructional approaches that are needed. Direct teaching of basic skills and frequent assessment of pupil progress seem to be effective for all children with academic difficulties.…

The school inservice coordinator for mainstreaming (SICM) is responsible for training regular class teachers and administrators to deal with handicapped students. SICMs are trained via workshop, courses, group meetings, and practica. Pre and post data for SICMs in two Maryland counties show growth in content knowledge and understanding. (CL)

Discusses the problems involved in integrating physically disabled children into ordinary schools in England. Problems of coordination with health agencies, devising educational plans, and modifying the school environment are illustrated through a case study of a disabled child. Other issues are teacher training, responsibility for preparing the…

Describes a study that examined relevant teaching practice in British schools during 1982-83. This article summarizes the findings in relation to the academic organization of schools, the modification of curriculum content, staffing and pedagogical considerations. (Author/CT)

Mainstreaming malpractice results from placement of a disabled child into an inappropriate environment. The events which led to the present status of mainstreaming in physical education are explored in this article. Recommendations for alternative placement of children with special psychomotor needs are offered. (DF)

To offer public school programs that address learning needs of chronically ill children, schools must first clarify the role of education. This paper discusses major policy-relevant issues and suggests how some of these students' needs can be addressed by the schools. (DF)