The fourth in a series from a study of least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for handicapped students identifies exemplary practices useful in arriving at LRE placements. Analysis of state documents and observations of 134 placement team meetings held in five states were carried out. Noteworthy approaches are summarized for five…

Argues that, with the advent of the 1981 Education Act and its focus on the integration of all pupils into mainstream schools, behaviorist teaching methods are beginning to play a central role in meeting special education needs. Applications of objectives-based curriculum development, direct instruction, precision teaching, and individual…

West Virginia Bill 300 (Jobs Through Education Act) requires all students in grades 1-11 to take the Stanford Achievement Test. A minimum of 50 percent of a school's students in grades 3-11 must perform in the third quartile or the school will be considered deficient. A clause in the bill states that all students will be tested except those…

The rationale behind Public Law 94-142, which pertains to education of handicapped children, is presented. Key terms such as mainstreaming, least restrictive environment, zero reject, most appropriate placement, and individualized education are discussed to clarify their significance for educators. (PP)

Full inclusion is a confusing topic. Many people misunderstand the "least restrictive environment" provision of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Districts need not educate every disabled child in a regular classroom for the entire day, but have numerous options, so long as each child is carefully evaluated. Recent…

Describes the educational philosophy and practices of the Sunrise Children's Center in Amherst, New Hampshire, which serves all children, both disabled and nondisabled, from the ages of two to six years. The description of the program is highlighted with stories of children in the center. (BB)

The experience of one handicapped boy and his family at a Concord (New Hampshire) elementary school that practices inclusive education highlights obstacles the parents met with regard to placing their son at the local school, early successes, social and academic progress for the student, and changing attitudes. (JB)

Questionnaires completed by families and teachers of 1,009 students with severe disabilities were analyzed in terms of 4 conceptual models of integrated student placement: a programs/facilities model, a socioeconomic model, an advocacy model, and a combined model. Teacher advocacy and Individualized Education Program characteristics were most…

Describes how simple changes in pretend-play areas can enable children with disabilities to participate more fully in early-learning experiences. Discusses how play reflects cognitive and social skills. Identifies challenges to supporting inclusive pretend play related to environmental barriers and children's characteristics; presents suggestions…

Questions the assumptions of those advocating full inclusion for children with developmental disabilities. It suggests that such programs are not improving the cognitive development of students with disabilities, that individualized programming while fully mainstreamed is rarely feasible, that the general education curriculum doesn't focus on…

Music teachers around the country are dealing with an exponential increase in the number of students with disabilities in their classrooms and ensembles. Teachers often do this without any training, support, or specialized information about how best to educate these children. They do their best to include all children in their music classes, but…

This brochure summarizes law, policy, and practice concerning inclusion policies for students with specific learning disabilities (LD). It summarizes requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act concerning the availability of a continuum of placement options and placement in the least…

Suggestions to facilitate the reentry of the disabled student into the regular classroom are offered, and information on resource materials is presented. A chart lists mainstreaming materials for the normal child, children's books about handicaps, and teacher resource materials, along with the publishers' addresses, type of handicap, type of…

The self instructional package is designed to give parents information on PL 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and the rights of parents, especially as they relate to the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Information presented includes how the parent can help plan the child's educational program, the processes…

The Mark Twain School provides a short term individualized educational program for seriously emotionally disturbed students with learning problems in grades 6 through 12 in Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools (MCPS). During the 1980-81 school year the Department of Educational Accountability, at the request of the Office of Continuum…