Research that examines the effect of inclusive education on students without disabilities shows improvements in their ability to make friends with disabled students, social skills, self-esteem, personal principles, patience, and comfort level with people who are different. Techniques for creating caring inclusive classroom environments are…

Effectiveness of a classwide peer tutoring program was studied for low achievers with and without learning disabilities and average achievers in 20 elementary school intervention classes and 20 control classes. All types of learners in peer tutoring classrooms demonstrated greater reading progress regardless of which of three measures was used.…

A literature review suggests that teachers' attitudes strongly influence the success of inclusion programs and that training can affect those attitudes. Surveys of 110 rural Midwest K-12 special and regular education teachers found that most regular education teachers did not want special education students in their classrooms and saw few benefits…

The article and response to a critique (EC 232 395) discuss how cooperative learning (emphasizing group goals and individual accountability), the limited use of acceleration by extremely able learners, and differentiation within classes can reduce tracking and separate enrichment programs while meeting the needs of gifted students in the regular…

Reviews the literature supporting cooperative learning as a means to promote social and cognitive growth among handicapped children in a classroom environment. In an analysis of three studies, cooperative learning strategies were shown to increase the chance that mainstreamed children would be accepted by classmates and show positive gains in…

Young children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) of perinatal origin often present with increasing medical and developmental problems after the first half year of life. Most eventually require foster care; some are integrated in intervention or preschool services; others are in segregated educational programs. Family supports and specialized…

Observational data were collected on the instructional tasks used by 30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disabled, 30 educable mentally-retarded, and 30 non-handicapped students in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5. Tasks used in mainstream and special education classrooms were assessed. Time, setting, and interaction effects were studied. (TJH)

Special education students (21 learning disabled, 12 emotionally/behaviorally disordered, 14 educable mentally retarded) and 30 nonhandicapped students were observed to identify teaching structures and tasks experienced during reading in both mainstream and special education settings. Several setting effects and a difference in the amount of time…

Israeli elementary-level hearing-impaired students (N=188) were studied to determine the relation between background variables (family characteristics, student characteristics, and educational intervention) and educational placement (special schools, special classes, or regular classes). Placement was found to be related to socioeconomic status,…

Problems of mainstreaming and racial integration in American schools are analyzed by a Japanese observer. The individualized educational program ideology is seen often to prevail over the principle of mainstreaming. A "separate but equal" approach contradicts the spirit of the Federal Handicapped Education Act. Synthesis of togetherness,…

Discusses how principals can help ensure success in inclusive classrooms. Describes four basic factors that influence success in that setting: learning environment, methods, planning and perpetuation, and evaluation. Examines each on a broad scale from an administrator's view. (ET)

Identifies a continuum of instructional strategies to promote the entry of children with moderate-to-severe disabilities into regular preschool classrooms. The continuum is based on the concept of power judgements, which result in the use of strategies that are likely to produce the desired effect with the lowest expenditure of effort, resources,…

Current teacher education works against a more inclusive curriculum regarding special education. Academic curriculum, civic culture, and teacher education individually and collectively promote separate teacher education programs and separate educational systems. Disability studies are introduced as an epistemological framework to help redress…

Investigates the administration and interpretation of deaf educational policy at a regular education campus. There was a breakdown in translation of policy and a lack of articulation between the County and the District, as well as confusion regarding language use in the classroom and a lack of knowledge concerning the bilingual education of the…

Reviews research on the use of computers in preschool and kindergarten classrooms and their effect on social development. Also discusses gender differences in computer use among young children and the effects of computer-based activities on the inclusion of children with disabilities. Implications for preschool curriculum are examined. (MDM)