Fears concerning possible results of including students with severe disabilities in regular programs are raised, including (1) the insinuation of constructivism into a system emphasizing inclusion (rather than instruction); (2) a lack of policies to preserve educational integrity; and (3) elimination of special education as a full partner with…

A case study is presented of a girl (age six) with multiple disabilities including moderate to severe mental retardation who was fully included in a regular first-grade classroom. The experience indicated that students with multiple disabilities can learn to follow classroom routines, follow directions, acquire new skills, and improve their…

This article presents two comparative case studies of young people with visual impairments that illustrate different degrees of success in integration into mainstream education in the United Kingdom. The cases illustrate a successful coordinated early integration versus a poorly coordinated and unsuccessful late integration effort. (Contains eight…

This study investigated the social competence of children with normal hearing (n=10) and children with impaired hearing (n=10) who attended an integrated preschool program for 4- to 5-year-olds. Observation of sociodramatic play and nonplay activities showed child entry behaviors were associated both with the hearing status of participants and…

Presents findings of a nationwide survey into the extent to which United Kingdom schools for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties reintegrate their pupils into mainstream schools and on the problems they have encountered. Results indicate that very few of these pupils ever return to mainstream school. Considers study's implications…

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…

The Including Exceptions in Schools (IES) Project attempted to develop, implement, and validate a system for educating students with the most extreme dual sensory and other cognitive, physical, and health impairments in general education settings. The project involved 17 elementary and secondary students in Oregon, Idaho, and Louisiana over a…

This book presents 50 strategies for including students with severe disabilities in regular classrooms. Introductory sections review the trend towards increased classroom integration and explain a philosophy of successful integration. The 50 strategies are each introduced by a thought-provoking quote or statistic, some general information, and…

Early childhood special education (ECSE) program leaders in Minnesota were surveyed to contrast perceptions of programs for children age birth to 3 with those for children 3 to 6. Of the 8,550 children served in such programs, survey responses reflected 64 percent. Survey results are presented for: (1) settings--home, community, and ECSE…

This resource guide was compiled to provide information about including learners with severe disabilities in general education classes and school community life. The guide includes resources about successful inclusive education models and strategies, as well as materials that provide a sound rationale and empirical support for inclusion. The…

The paper distinguishes American and Canadian applications of the terms "mainstreaming" and "integration" in relation to placement of exceptional children in settings which foster interaction between them and their non-handicapped peers such as regular classes in neighborhood schools. The two terms are seen to represent…

The hearing impaired child has been the most neglected exceptional student in the public day school system. Mainstreaming efforts should consider the individual educational needs of both severely and less severely hearing impaired students. (JN)

The paper draws upon integration experiences and the literature from organizational theory to examine the process of change. Initiation, planning, implementation, administration, and advocacy are discussed as they pertain to efforts to include students with severe disabilities in regular schools and classes. (Author/DB)

This article compares the inclusive schools movement and the Regular Education Initiative in terms of advocates, goals, tactics, and understanding of and links to general education. The article finds that the inclusive schools movement has become increasingly strident, and its perspective has become increasingly insular and disassociated from…

Attitudinal data concerning integration of students with disabilities into regular classrooms were gathered from six groups of Australian educators (principals, regular teachers, resource teachers, school psychologists/counselors, and two groups of preschool directors). Considerable attitudinal differences were found both within and among…