This paper outlines the tasks required in developing special education consultation programs to serve special needs students in the least restrictive environment: determination of program goals, selection of models and approaches, identification of specific consulting strategies and tasks, allocation of resources, preparation of affected…

Investigates the opportunities to learn provided in regular and special education classes for mildly handicapped students. Finds that, overall, mildly handicapped students experienced significantly less opportunity to learn during mainstream reading instruction than their nonhandicapped peers. Concludes, however, that placing such students in…

Arguing that only 13 percent of children with severe emotional disturbances are receiving adequate special education services in the least restrictive environment, this article presents strategies for parents to ensure appropriate responsiveness from placement and Individual Education Planning teams as well as advice regarding yearly reviews,…

School psychologists (N=261) in New South Wales, Australia, were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward mainstreaming and asked to identify resources required to meet the needs of disabled students in regular classrooms. Subjects generally saw their role as consultative rather than interventionist and attached little importance to knowledge of…

Fifty rural physical educators teaching disabled students in northern New England completed the Reflective Ecological Inventory, which assists teachers to reflect on their teaching environment and the influence of mainstreaming on that environment to gain appropriate perspective and control. Contains 29 references. (SV)

The article describes teacher-directed and student-mediated comprehension strategies to improve the text comprehension skills of mainstreamed students with mild disabilities. Techniques include advance organizers, study guides, color coding, oral reading, critical thinking maps, and self-questioning techniques. Guidelines are offered for assessing…

The study compared the effects of different play conditions (microcomputer, remote-control robot, or no toys) on the amount of time four dyads of handicapped/nonhandicapped children would interact during structured play. Results suggested that microcomputers may serve as social facilitators for children with significant social and language…

This New Jersey survey found that 67 teachers of preschool handicapped children were more stringent in their perceptions of the skills necessary for mainstreaming in kindergarten than were 63 kindergarten teachers. The survey also found that different instructional strategies were used by the two teacher groups. (Author/JDD)

Research is reviewed concerning the cooperative learning methods most widely researched in studies comparing cooperative and traditional methods. Several cooperative learning methods are described. Outcomes reviewed include academic achievement, intergroup relations, mainstreaming, and self-esteem. (TJH)

Explores the relationship of attitudes toward disability and the frequency of contact with mainstreamed disabled children. Suggests the mere presence of disabled students in school settings does not have an intensive effect on the emotional reaction of nondisabled students and may be associated with more negative attitudes toward disabled persons.…

Presented is a history of educational services for children with mild intellectual disabilities in Queensland, Australia. Covering the late 1800's to the present, the article focuses on the impact of legislation, individuals who advanced the field of special education, and the "rise and fall" of separate special schools and classes.…

A New Zealand report on mainstreaming students with special educational needs has stimulated discussion of the policy's real outcomes and the wisdom of placing students in special education without appropriate support services. Development of specific educational and social goals and instructional and organizational changes facilitating…

The article examines the General Education Initiative of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in light of (1) the failure of past major reform efforts to help students with learning problems, and (2) questionable assumptions about how such students learn. The expansion of special education support to other at-risk students…

This article presents comments from advocates of education for deaf students concerning President Bush's summit with state governors to discuss the future of education. Excerpts from the conference statement are included. Topics covered include the role of special education, emphasis on quality, mainstreaming, the federal-state partnership, and…

This examination of the General Education Initiative recommends: provision of a range of special educational services from total segregation to full-time integration; expanded efforts to determine the efficacy of various education placements; increased integration for students with mild to moderate disabilities; and integration training for…