First discusses the philosophy, structure, and content of instruction for students with severe disabilities and then presents procedures to define and incorporate strategies to meet the unique needs of students with visual and multiple impairments. A five-step analysis process is suggested for modifying a core curriculum to individualize…

A study found that all regular and reading recovery students (n=150) participating in a code-oriented program, Schoolwide Early Learning and Literacy (SWELL), significantly outperformed counterparts (n=163) on tests measuring pseudoword decoding, reading connected text, invented spelling, and a standardized reading measure at the end of Year 1.…

This paper describes the Model Mathematics Program, which uses above-level testing to identify students with mathematical talent and then provides flexibly paced instruction for such students at four levels of ability. Students in the program demonstrated significant growth in mathematics computation skills and concepts as well as improved…

This paper describes how functional assessment procedures can be used by classroom teachers to determine the relationships between instructional variables and challenging behavior in students with disabilities. A case study describes use of these procedures with an adolescent boy with severe developmental disabilities. (Author/PB)

Derives a time-denominated learning cost curve from an economic model of programmed instruction and uses experimental data to identify it for each learner. This portrayal suggests that equalizing the time allowed to learn, as in conventional group instruction, distributes learning outcomes and human capital unevenly. The distribution of education…

Investigates the effects of group personalization of instruction on the mathematics achievement and attitudes of 72 fifth-grade Taiwanese students. Personalization was accomplished by incorporating personal information and preferences provided by students into their mathematics word problems. Students were blocked by ability level, then randomly…

Investigates the effects of learner-control and the aptitude-treatment interaction effects between instructional control and learner characteristics in procedural learning. Participants were 128 undergraduates. Results indicate empirical evidence illustrating the power of learner-control and relevant ability on learning procedural tasks in…

The Wood County (Ohio) Alternative School Program was studied to determine overall effectiveness as perceived by students, parents, probation officers, and school administrators. Results indicate that the alternative school was perceived as generally effective, due to small classes and individualized instruction. The alternative school/home school…

This article comments on recommended changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) included in "Perspectives on the Future of the IDEA" (Hardman and others), and makes alternative recommendations that focus upon building the capacities of schools to support all children as active participants and valued members of…

This study determined school-level curricular, assessment, and accountability policies and practices in private and public day treatment and residential schools for elementary-age children with emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD). A national random sample of 271 (56.45%) principals and 229 (47.70%) teachers responded to a mail survey. No…

This article talks about Unschoolers of Memphis, a support group that welcomes home schoolers of any religion, race, ethnic background or sexual orientation. About 20 families come together in large and small groups, sometimes several times a week, to learn together. The Unschoolers of Memphis are part of a recent phenomenon in education--the huge…

This paper made reference to some experimental and quasi-experimental studies that have been conducted with special education populations using direct instruction over the last decade. Evaluation research is a relatively new area in education and particularly in special education, while the focus on individualization of instruction and warring…

In this study we explored the effectiveness of individualizing instruction using a system that diagnosed students' knowledge gaps in pre-algebra and provided individualized instruction and practice. One hundred middle school students participated, and received either no instruction or individualized computer-based instruction. Diagnosis of…

This paper made reference to some experimental and quasi-experimental studies that have been conducted with special education populations using direct instruction over the last decade. Evaluation research is a relatively new area in education and particularly in special education, while the focus on individualization of instruction and warring…

Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) allows educators to provide accessible education on the basis of individual learner needs. This article describes strategies for applying principles of UDI to rehabilitation education as well as an overview of its history and philosophy. Illustrative examples as well as supportive literature germane to the…