In discussing the need to restructure school programs and more completely integrate students with special learning needs into regular school programs, the problems of classification of students in special education and overlapping services and programs are presented. Includes a table featuring effective classroom environments and a reference list.…

The author reviews results of eight research papers with conflicting data on effectiveness of special versus regular class placement for educable mentally retarded children, expresses need for more research, and emphasizes use of the individualized education plan to determine the most appropriate setting for a child. (MC)

The school nurse should be able to identify the health needs of students and to facilitate remediation of health or handicapping conditions or to assist in adapting the school setting to students' needs. Requirements and activities expected of school nurses in the care of handicapped students are listed. (CJ)

Steps to success in the mainstreaming of handicapped students include: (1) warm and accepting atmosphere; (2) acceptance of the handicapped students; (4) less physically restrictive classrooms; (5) successful experiences; (6) emphasis on individual strengths; (7) fair testing procedures; (8) enlivening lesson plans; (9) parent teacher…

Seven articles in the special issue on local school mainstreaming discuss such strategies as involving regular teachers in individualized educational program meetings, encouraging teachers to plan inservice, and promoting student responsibility in resource rooms. For related material, see EC 133 673. (CL)

The author reviews changes in America, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere in the educational opportunities and treatment of exceptional children. (PHR)

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act requires school districts to provide handicapped children with an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Analyzes several circuit court decisions that provide a reasonable framework for courts to use in deciding least restrictive environment controversies. (MLF)

Inclusion advocates support heterogeneous programs where special education students are educated within the confines of a regular educational classroom. An array of services are provided that are coordinated across educational and community agency personnel. Districts must make sure the students are ready to be included, the staff is trained, and…

Many children with severe disabilities never have the opportunity to try general physical education (GPE) because their Individualized Education Program (IEP) team feels that they will not be successful, will not benefit, or will not be safe. However, there are ways to safely, successfully, and meaningfully include children with severe…

The Autism Spectrum Australia Satellite Class Project features small specialist classes for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) within general education schools. The program incorporates individual education goals within timetable based on the general school curricula, in conjunction with a schedule of integrated activities. The aim of…

Provided is a manual compiled by the Southwest Regional Resource Center identifying and articulating the process steps required to establish services for severely handicapped children in a public school setting. Offered are seven planning elements (population baseline, appraisal resources, schools and physical facility resources, transportation,…

Giangreco helps teachers answer one of the hardest questions in including students with disabilities in mainstream classes: How can teachers include students who function substantially below grade level? Giangreco describes a teacher who must help a boy working at kindergarten level participate in the academic work of her 5th grade class. He…

This paper lists five principles to consider that will enable beginning teachers to defend Individualized Education Program (IEP) decisions for students with disabilities in due process hearings. The first principle urges teachers to consider placing children with disabilities in regular education with supplemental aids and services when making…

Summaries of five papers from a 1979 conference on special education are presented. "Adapting and Managing the Environment for Mainstreaming," presented by D. Bricker-Derkacz, briefly considers factors in structuring a multisensory environment: orientation, adaptation, boundaries, and designing specific activities. In "Communicating with Parents…

The paper provides a framework for a nonbiased placement system for students with suspected handicapping conditions. The suggested approach is designed to help school districts determine whether the appraisal system is contributing to the disproportionate placement of minority group students in special education classes. Nineteen steps in the…