From a sample of National Association for Vocational Special Needs Personnel members, 245 usable responses identified the following teacher beliefs: (1) at-risk students are capable of learning higher-order thinking; (2) special-needs students learn best linearly; (3) at-risk youth do not predictably transfer learning; and (4) realistic, relevant…

This study found that the community and parents in Tanzania were not involved in development of schools and services for persons with disabilities, but communities had good knowledge of characteristics of persons with disabilities. Success of special education is felt to depend on community involvement and assessment of the community's folk belief…

Peer tutors and task sheets can help students with disabilities to succeed in regular physical education classes. The article explains who can tutor, how to train tutors, how to use task sheets, how long it takes to train peer tutors, safety awareness, and task sheet verification. A peer tutor instruction sheet is included. (SM)

Mainstreaming deaf children may not adequately meet their educational, cultural, or social needs. Those advocating full inclusion have mistakenly pursued equal treatment rather than equal opportunity. The answer lies in approaching the problem from a cultural-pluralism perspective. (133 references) (MLF)

This survey of 201 regular education teachers found that the most frequently used prereferral strategies used to facilitate classroom adjustment and achievement were consultation with other professionals, parent conferences, and behavior management techniques. Elementary teachers implemented more strategies than secondary-level teachers.…

Videotaped sessions were designed to present teachers with a comprehensive staff development program on learning strategies and the means for creating personal problem-solving strategies in various settings. Site-based facilitators were trained to coordinate program activities. Pilot participants significantly increased their knowledge base and…

Examined influence of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, father absence, and family size on special education eligibility for 300 students. Results indicated that only socioeconomic status and ethnicity made significant contribution to prediction of special education eligibility, suggesting that legislative mandates to control for sociocultural…

Investigated factors considered by 118 school psychologists, 119 principals, and 108 special education teachers in making distinction between students with serious emotional disturbance and those with social maladjustment. Found moderate disagreement between groups on behavioral or background descriptors differentiating emotionally disturbed and…

This article presents a description of the educational system of the Czecho-Slovak Federal Republic, with an emphasis on the educational impact of the November 1989 revolution. Examples and guidelines for international collaborative research and teaching programs concerned with special education and other areas are offered. (DB)

This article discusses the special education system in Nigeria, focusing on integration; training of special educators; medical, health, and welfare services for children with disabilities; recreational facilities; employment opportunities; national planning; and problems and successes. (JDD)

The University of Illinois' Leadership Development Program for special needs professionals uses Program Improvement Projects--action plans for a program change to be implemented by participant teams (vocational educators, special educators, and adult service providers). (SK)

Opportunities presented to both regular and special educators by the changing demographic characteristics of students are outlined. The paper calls for adopting a philosophy that all children can learn, using intervention assistance programs, fostering student opportunities for peer collaboration and mentoring, and infusing multicultural knowledge…

The common core knowledge and skills essential for all beginning special education teachers, developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), are reprinted, along with the CEC Code of Ethics. The article also provides a rationale for the standards and background information on their development and adoption. (JDD)

Compared the demographic characteristics of and the special education services received by Illinois children who are in both foster care and special education programs, with those of children in only one of these systems. Presents information on the handicaps of foster children served by the special education system. (SM)

Illinois educators (n=314) were surveyed to examine their attitudes and perceived ability to work with students with handicaps. Respondents were willing to teach students who were gifted or had physical handicaps, but not students with mental handicaps. The survey also assessed specific types of support/resources preferred by teachers. (Author/JDD)