Manipulatives offer students with disabilities access and support in classrooms. However, it is important for educators to be aware that concrete manipulatives are not the only option. Teachers serving students identified with a disability in the middle grades may consider selecting virtual manipulatives as supplement, complement, or in lieu of…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that schools assist students with disabilities to develop independent living skills and abilities essential to succeed in most of their life's endeavors. According to the law, each student with a disability must have an individualized education program (IEP), and the IEP must address…

This document was prepared to assist literacy specialists in the national Regional Comprehensive Center network as they work with states to improve educational policy and practice in the area of adolescent literacy. It comprises three major parts: Part One: "Improving academic literacy instruction for students in grades 4-12." Based on…

What would schools and classrooms look like if they truly mirrored our democratic ideals? In this issue of the Occasional Papers, five authors explore current and historical questions related to the inclusion of children with disabilities in public schools. The history of educating children with disabilities--an ongoing civil rights issue--has…

Schools in the United States and schools across majority of countries around the world today face two critical issues: "Inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms" and a contributing factor to success of this inclusion, teachers prepared to use best practices. "Best practices" in education are approaches to teaching,…

"Challenge classes" for secondary students are described in the context of their five-year history in one school district and by comparison with traditional approaches to education of the gifted. The program encourages the learner to push beyond normal curriculum expectations. Content is determined by individual teachers and their students. (JW)

Direct services (pull-out programs, special classes, and summer seminars) and indirect services (consultant activities) are examined in a discussion of educating gifted students in rural areas. Three instructional delivery models (enrichment triad, creative, and arts models) used in rural areas are briefly described. (CL)

Provision of full-time programs for highly gifted students at both the elementary and secondary levels is supported, and guidelines are offered on criteria and procedures for student selection, curriculum and teaching methods, characteristics and training requirements for teachers, findings of research on special classes, and the need for…

The Individualized Instruction Resource Program (IIRP) is a special program for underachieving freshmen and sophomores at Gordon Technical High School in Chicago. In operation since 1969, IIRP uses a coordinated curriculum, unique scheduling, and a practical, often individual approach, which has consistently increased the self-images of its…

The article describes a social skills training group for 10 British autistic children (ages 9-16 years) which aimed to integrate them into the regular classroom. The weekly sessions were held over 4 years and followed guidelines of G. Mesibov and S. Spence. (Author/DB)

The use of various resources in special education in Scotland is described in this collection of 12 papers. Written by classroom teachers, the first five relate individual attempts to deal with particular problems, i.e., science education for the visually handicapped, two different approaches to teaching the mentally handicapped, art for the…

This paper reviews the Richmond (Virginia) Young Students Mathematics Class, sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Academically Talented Youth of Johns Hopkins University for upper elementary students. Discussed are student selection, course content and approach, instructional methods, staffing, student outcomes, student and parent…

This bulletin was prepared by a committee composed of teachers who have had extensive experience in teaching both aliens and native illiterates. The material may be of assistance to colleges, universities, and normal schools in giving instruction to those who are to teach elementary subjects to men and women; also that it may be found useful to…

The paper addresses placement of students with severe disabilities in regular or special classes within home schools, describes Vermont's Homecoming Model Project, and identifies best educational practices. The roles of state-level support and school leadership are stressed. Instructional strategies including data-based methods, partner learning…

This paper describes a special class program for gifted students (aged 9 to 12) with learning disabilities in Calgary (Alberta). The program has evolved over its 4 years to stress kinesthetic, experiential learning. The issue of remediation versus enrichment was resolved when it was found that the students responded best to whole theme…