This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the differing definitions of natural supports are constructive because of the evolving nature of the research, and that progressive policy is often ahead of documented knowledge, but concurs that additional research is needed. (CR)

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the principles of natural supports should not be subject to empirical testing because they function as a guide to strategy development and strategy selection. Discusses the difficulties in examining natural support strategies. (CR)

Assessment of the impact of a collaborative inclusion model involving 670 students with disabilities in 26 schools revealed that student growth was similar in the inclusion and "pull-out" models, general and special education teachers felt quality of service had improved with inclusion, and inclusion was associated with lower rates of…

To increase the number of German employees undergoing rehabilitation rather than retiring early because of medical disabilities, a screening process was developed whereby the pension insurance institutions responsible for administering medical rehabilitation measures would identify persons in need of rehabilitation and urge them to take part. An…

Total task (single trial instruction) and backward chaining (multiple trials instruction) were used to teach eight children with severe handicaps. Total task, single trial instruction resulted in superior acquisition of independent steps in the training setting for three students. In all cases, instructional time was substantially less for total…

The article assesses the effects of the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) on attitudes and integration in Australia and compares the effects of direct close contact with disabled people. Questionnaires administered before and after IYDP suggest the Year provided increased awareness but little attitude or increased integration.…

An analysis of the policies, procedures, and programs of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and an assessment of its impact on the employment of disabled persons in New England revealed uneven commitment in CETA toward the disabled and emphasized the importance of local control of programing. (CL)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SRA Corrective Reading and SRA Connecting Math Intervention Programs when used as a scripted intervention program with identified students with disabilities and was evaluated to determine whether the effectiveness was affected by the student's gender or academic skill proficiency.…

This study involved an investigation of the effects of strategy instruction integrated with the concrete-representational-abstract teaching sequence on students with learning disabilities. A multiple probe design across subjects with one replication was used in this study. Two sets of data were analyzed to determine effectiveness of the…

Technical assistance (TA) has long been a standard, overarching strategy for assisting, states, agencies, family members, and practitioners with building capacity for service and system change initiatives. But, what is meant by the term "technical assistance"? What is known about the technical assistance strategies that are likely to…

Little is known about the relative effects of post-secondary learning services for students with learning disabilities. We compared outcomes for students with learning disabilities who selected to: (1) take an academic learning success course (course-intervention), (2) have regular individual interventions (high-intervention) or (3) use services…

This article reviews research examining the efficacy of early phonological interventions for young students identified with speech and language impairments. Eighteen studies are included, providing results for nearly 500 students in preschool through third grade. Although findings are generally positive, there are large individual differences in…

This paper explores issues and implications for diagnosis and treatment, stemming from the growing number of children identified with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recent developments and innovations in special education and Medicaid programs are emphasized. Eligibility determination policies, innovations in diagnostic practices, the cost and…

Response to Intervention has garnered recent interest from policymakers, researchers, and educators. Studies of its effectiveness have found it promising, and state education agencies are increasingly interested in the approach. This report supplies basic information about state planning and implementation of the approach in Alabama, Florida,…

Unified Sports is Special Olympics' response to the inclusion movement. The program includes both students with disabilities and students without disabilities working together in athletic competitions. We describe 4 students who participated in the program: 3 females and 1 male. The students' disabilities varied and included mobile impairment,…