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…

The purpose of the chapter is to give an overview of special education in Iceland, historically and with reference to modern use of terms, research, policy, legal trends and funding. Recent data is provided on demographic developments amongst children in Iceland and detailed account is given of practices in schools, including collaboration with…

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…

This study examines the impact of the inclusive environment on student performance. As schools work to comply with the Least Restrictive Environment requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including students into the general education environment has become the norm as opposed to the exception. The improvement in…

One of the provisions of the law for special education in Cyprus is for children considered as having special needs to be educated in "special units". The purpose of this study is to investigate and observe the way that "special units" function in the educational environment in Cyprus, paying particular attention to one unit in…

Examination of data from the "Annual Reports to Congress on the Implementation of Public Law 94-142" from 1979 through 1989 revealed that the placement rate for students with learning disabilities being educated in restrictive, separate class settings almost doubled. The proportion of all students with learning disabilities served in…

Presented is a history of educational services for children with mild intellectual disabilities in Queensland, Australia. Covering the late 1800's to the present, the article focuses on the impact of legislation, individuals who advanced the field of special education, and the "rise and fall" of separate special schools and classes.…

The paper interprets the legal meaning and application of the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) principle in the education of handicapped, and particularly deaf children. The role of the Department of Education in interpreting the intent of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, is reviewed with emphasis on the "core…

This one-page abstract summarizes results of a final report of a federally funded research project titled, "Research Integration Project: Analysis and Review of Research on Least Restrictive Environments for Handicapped Learners." The goal of the project was the review, analysis, and interpretation of research on the concept of…