The article reviews the literature on handwriting and letter formation, noting writing subskills (such as laterality and eye-hand coordination) as well as observable negative behaviors (such as body tension, confusion with directionality, and problems in forming the alphabet). Ways to assess and develop letter formation abilities are described.…

In order to experience positive growth and fulfillment, parents of severely handicapped children need to move toward self-growth and acceptance of the child, facilitate productive consultation with professionals, and coordinate communication between agencies and services. (CL)

Four aspects in planning a therapeutic horsemanship program for handicapped individuals are considered: training instructors, obtaining the needed horses and equipment, identifying the participants, and implementing the program and developing a curriculum. An example of a horsemanship program begun in Kentucky is offered. (CL)

The author presents guidelines developed from a teacher in-service training program in San Antonio (Texas) designed to instruct regular education teachers in specialized methods, curricula and materials, and management techniques for use with integrated handicapped students. (SBH)

The article proposes the use of cooperative learning techniques with learning disabled students and suggests ways to implement cooperative learning principles using microcomputers. (DB)

Resource teachers can help learning disabled students generalize skills to a mainstream setting with three types of procedures: transfer activities; self control procedures (in which a behavior contract is developed and contingencies for self reinforcement are specified); and cooperative planning (in which resource teachers and regular teachers…

A model is described for involving parents of handicapped children according to their strengths, as well as their needs. An analysis sheet for measuring parent involvement is presented. (CL)

The article offers criteria for measuring the reasonableness of accommodations made by the regular teacher for the handicapped child in a mainstreamed setting. Examples are given for utilization of material resources for delivery of instruction, classroom organization, instructional materials adaptation/modification, and utilization of human…

The rationale for assessment in special education is examined, and the importance of measuring student performance until mastery or proficiency of the skill/behavior has occurred is stressed. Guidelines are offered for determining proficiency. (CL)

A five-step process is outlined for planning successful inservice programs in special education: (1) needs assessment, (2) establishment of priorities, (3) selection of delivery strategy, (4) design of content and methods, and (5) evaluation. Sample planning records and forms are included. (CL)

The article provides special educators an approach for consulting with elementary school teachers faced with mainstreaming. Materials included in a teacher consultation packet are described and a strategy for conducting consultation is offered. (SBH)

Strategies are presented for overcoming three common inservice problems regarding mainstreaming: perceived need for inservice by educators and policymakers versus limited funding available; perceived need for inservice for mainstreaming versus competing community priorities; and stated need for inservice versus natural obstacles presented by staff…

To be effective in changing career/vocational education practices for handicapped students, inservice education should be targeted to school teams, involve participatory planning processes, acquire administrative support, use trainers as information givers and consultants, and capitalize on existing services. Successful approaches in New York…

Learning-disabled students in mainstream settings can use guided notes to help them actively participate in notetaking, follow the sequence of lectures/discussions, and produce useful summaries of important information for future review. This article defines guided notes, describes how to develop guided notes, and offers tips to maximize their…

The paper stresses the importance of informal assessment of spelling, describing both quantitative and qualitative implications. Stages of word knowledge are reviewed and examples of student errors are cited to illustrate needed instruction. (CL)