Rural poverty causes implementation of P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, to be uniquely different from urban implementation. Rural areas may try to emulate urban policies, where it is possible to identify and group severely handicapped children for appropriate services, but in rural areas the availability of…

The researchers who conducted a study of the views of regular elementary teachers toward provision of special services through either "pull-in" or "pull-out" programs consider the researcher's role as change agent. The authors stress the timing of their research (with new legislation mandating consultant teacher services) and…

Joe Renzulli asserts that pull-out programs for gifted elementary school children that reflect horizontal enrichment and vertical acceleration can provide flexibility and enable radical departures from the regular curriculum. Joyce VanTassel-Baska counters that current pull-out programs are inadequately planned, provide insufficient time, are…

A model for resource rooms based on four learning stations (dependent or teacher directed, related activity, peer tutoring, and independent stations) is advocated to provide for behavior management as well as individualized instruction of mildly handicapped students. (CL)

This column offers two articles: one on problems in identifying students who are gifted and learning disabled and recommendations for working with this population; a second article describes a resource program for students in grades six through eight who are gifted and learning disabled, involving collaboration through weekly team meetings. (SW)

The paper describes problems endemic to the evaluation of programs for gifted and talented students. The goals of gifted and talented programs are often substantially different from those covered on outcome measures available to schools. When decisions are being made about the type of programs to be provided, parallel consideration should be given…

Research published in April 1989 by H. L. Rich and S. M. Ross is reconsidered. Naturalistic observation of students in resource rooms, classrooms, special classes and special schools were used and results found resource rooms inherently flawed, a finding considered in this article to be unsupported by study data. (PB)

In response to criticism (EC 600 437), H. L. Rich and S. M. Ross defend their research published in April 1989. Naturalistic observation techniques used are discussed, conclusions regarding the regular education initiative supported, and findings concerning drawbacks of resource rooms reiterated and clarified. (PB)

This report updates an earlier study on educational placements of children with mental retardation, comparing data from the 1989-90 school year with the 1990-91 school year. The data indicate that regular class placements increased from 6.7 percent to 7.4 percent from 1989-90 to 1990-91. Resource room placements increased from 20.1 to 23 percent,…

The paper presents a framework for computer application of speech-language therapy in schools taking into account the four service models: itinerant, consultation, resource room, and self-contained. Examples are given of specific software appropriate to each model. (DB)

The article offers a critical inspection of the effectiveness of resource room programs in serving students with disabilities. Types of resource models (categorical, cross-categorical, noncategorical, specific skill, and itinerant) are described. Also noted are ethical considerations (segregation versus integration) and suggested improvements in…

The paper describes steps taken in initiating a program for gifted students undertaken in 11 secondary schools in Cape Province, South Africa. The development of an identification model was made difficult because the fixed South African educational system inhibits creativity and productive thinking abilities. Factors used to select students for…

The authors urge educators to accept that behavior problem youngsters can no longer be barred from the public schools and that effective programs for these children need to be implemented. This paper was presented to the State Department of Education Conference on Emotionally Handicapped Programs, Orlando, Florida, August 9, 1977. (SJL)

Ten years of data reflect little change in use of separate facilities for handicapped students, and high state-to-state variation. A subsequent paper argues that least restrictive environment as a concept has focused on "location" rather than "service." A final paper addresses the need to eliminate geographic and funding restrictions to…

Schools in Oxfordshire (England) are gradually moving toward integrating special needs students into regular classrooms and relying on a resource room model to provide extra services. While evolutionary change has minimized certain problems, the lack of overall policy direction has led to some problems for local education authorities. (IS)