We acknowledge that some students with severe disabilities are not being taught in general education. We do not agree that inclusion in general education is inherently better, nor do we think it is always appropriate, and we provide some reasons that a full continuum of alternative placements is not only legally mandated but appropriate. We are…

An elementary school principal comments on the use of individualized education programs and notes problems to be resolved if IEP's become required for every child. (SS)

In an interview, K. Wyatt, president of The Council for Exceptional Children, discusses issues related to determining the most appropriate and least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for mentally retarded persons. (CL)

The article presents answers to teachers' commonly asked questions concerning P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Questions and responses touch on such aspects as mainstreaming, legislative history, resource rooms, individualized education programs, due process, funding, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.…

Implications of implementing full integration of special needs students are considered, noting the goal's basis in the belief that every child is unique, valued, and can learn. Responsibilities of participants in inclusive programs are identified, and two methods (adaptations and modifications) for altering the educational programs of students…

The rationale of mainstreaming is discussed in light of the need for deemphasis on isolation and labeling, increased protection of human rights, individualization in all phases of education, increased attention to the development of the total child, and greater cost effeiciency in the delivery of services. (DLS)

Discusses the expanding opportunities available to handicapped students and the changing role of educators and administrators as they strive to provide equal opportunity in all areas of vocational education. Suggested techniques for developing an individualized education program are given. (LRA)

This article addresses legal concerns regarding the use of level systems to manage students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Concerns pertain to a failure to individualize the program, including restricted access to the least restrictive environment, curricular issues, and procedural concerns. A decision-making model to aid in designing…

P.L. 94-142 carries with it considerable potential for both special and general education. The law, however, is currently surrounded by many myths. It does not, for instance, apply to all handicapped children, but only to those who require special education because of their disability. It does not eliminate all special education classes or require…

Inclusion of students with disabilities, especially those with mental retardation, has come to mean the placement of all students in general education classrooms, sometimes with limited planning for the individual needs of each student. Several court cases, laws, and movements have brought about the level of inclusion that exists today. However,…

The author addresses the problems of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) which hinder efforts to provide programs for handicapped students. Considered are problems in child identification, student placement, mainstreaming, individualized education programs, in-service education, and attitudes of teachers and…

Discusses a study of the efficacy of mainstreaming. The goal of the study was to see what actually went on in schools, how people thought about mainstreaming, what they did about it, and how teachers, administrators, and students experienced it. (JOW)

The MAD (Making Appropriate Decisions) model for providing educational services to gifted children in the regular classroom is described. The model provides for a planning process which takes into account a definition of giftedness, consideration of common needs, and specific considerations for individual students. (DB)

This journal provides 12 brief articles focused on open education. Topics explored include (1) open education and reading, (2) mainstreaming, (3) characteristics of an open teacher, (4) administration of an open concept school, (5) an existential methodology in the language arts, (6) social studies in open education, (7) open education in early…

Discusses the three major developments in the revised Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): general-education teachers participating in individualized education programs, school flexibility in disciplining special-needs students, and emphasis on integrating special-education students into general education. (JOW)