The reading instruction, grouping practices, and outcomes for 59 students with learning disabilities (LD) in resource room settings were examined by this follow-up study. Whole class instruction was the dominant grouping format and only half of the special education teachers provided differentiated materials and instruction. Overall, no…

A survey of the perceptions and opinions of 381 special and regular educators found that pullout programs are favored over Regular Education Initiative implementation for elementary students with mild disabilities. Survey data were analyzed into 14 categories such as teachers' responsibility and ownership, teacher preparedness for meeting student…

The effect of two special education resource models (teacher consultant model and resource room model) on student achievement and on teacher and student behavior was contrasted, using 480 learning disabled and educable mentally handicapped children (mean age of eight years and four months). (BD)

An obervational study of micro-educational environments and microcomputer use within these environments was conducted in special day classes, resource rooms, and mainstream classrooms (N=90). Mildly handicapped students in special education settings had less variety to their instructional experiences than did either handicapped or nonhandicapped…

Procedures of school placement for 38 children (ages 5 to 18 years) with spina bifida in 23 school districts in western New York State were studied 5 years after a mandated process was enacted. (Author)

Naturalistic observation procedures examined the use of time by 230 elementary students with disabilities in four special education placements--regular class, resource room, special class, and special school. The least restrictive alternatives, particularly the resource room, made more in-class learning time available. (Author/DB)

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)

An investigation that used a curriculum-based measure to examine the effects of an inclusive school program found 71 elementary students with learning disabilities (LD) in the program made significantly more progress in reading and comparable progress in math when compared to 73 students who were provided services in resource classes. (Author/CR)

Achievement data of elementary learning-disabled students in both an Integrated Classroom Model (ICM) and resource rooms were compared. The ICM was shown to be more cost effective than resource room programs while achieving similar results on reading, math, and language tests for learning-disabled students and on general achievement tests for…

This study examined reading instruction and grouping practices for students with learning disabilities through interviews with 14 special education teachers and observations of their resource room instruction. Teachers primarily provided whole group reading instruction and little differentiated instruction or materials despite the wide range of…

A study investigated the relationship between placement in inclusive (n=36) and pullout (n=22) special education programs and academic and behavior outcomes for students with disabilities. Eighth-graders in inclusive classrooms earned higher grades, achieved higher or comparable standardized test scores, committed no more behavioral infractions,…

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…

Teacher ratings on the RISK scale for 2,306 kindergarten students were used to predict which children were ultimately placed in resource rooms or regular education. All five RISK factors were significantly related to future school performance. Most predictive items were child ability, current performance, and teacher investment. Overall RISK scale…

Students in grades four to six (N=77) judged the capabilities of peers traditionally labeled as "learning disabled" or "educable mentally retarded" but depicted in written vignettes only as attending either a resource room or special classroom. Students in special classes were judged significantly less capable than students in resource room…