How can labels serve as unrealistic sources of pride and embarrassment? This article examines one teacher's personal experiences with labels and the lasting implications for her students.

Educators today are challenged with the task of designing curricula and standards for students of varying abilities. While technology and innovation steadily improve classroom learning, teachers and administrators continue to struggle in developing the best methodologies and practices for students with disabilities. "Models for Effective…

This article examines the mutuality of interests between partners in a professional development school (PDS), with an emphasis on promoting inclusive classrooms and integrating special education students into the general education continuum. It highlights how delivery models that hinder inclusive practices stunt the growth of PDS partnerships. It…

One of the main professional-development challenges social studies teachers face involves adjusting content and instruction to accommodate the surging population of English Language Learners (ELLs). Between the 1993-1994 and 2004-2005 school years, ELL school populations increased 68 percent to more than 5.1 million, compared to a 7.8 percent…

Schools in the United States and schools across majority of countries around the world today face two critical issues: "Inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms" and a contributing factor to success of this inclusion, teachers prepared to use best practices. "Best practices" in education are approaches to teaching,…

Teaching students to collect data to answer questions is an important life skill that will serve them well throughout their adult lives. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the implementation of an action research project in a fifth grade resource classroom. Students with mild disabilities were taught how to conduct surveys using three…

Self-contained classrooms and resource rooms have been an important component of the continuum of placements available to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, these specialized classrooms have been closing in recent years. A variety of factors are contributing to this, most notably the impact of cochlear implants. This article…

A rapid reporting system was designed to help resource teachers stay aware of the regular class performance and assignments of their students. Advantages of the note card approach include reminding the regular teacher of the student's need for extra attention, increasing recognition of the resource program, and providing feedback to students. (CL)

The article offers a classroom management technique, PASSWORD, that facilitates the smooth transition of handicapped students from the resource room to the regular class. Students are each asked a "code question," usually a review question, the answer to which is the password for leaving the resource room. (DB)

A resource room program for emotionally disturbed children developed in Newfoundland has expanded from one initial unit to six programs operating at all school levels. The program stresses appropriate function in the regular class. (CL)

The Granite School District (Salt Lake City, Utah) tracking program provides a practical framework for incorporating many of the recent developments in secondary special education into a single program. The approach has a dual focus--providing direct instruction in the resource room and indirect consultative and backup services for the regular…

A recent study of reading instruction in 28 resource rooms designed for learning-disabled students is described. Program effectiveness was found to be determined by use of student time, method of instruction, and coordination between resource teachers and classroom teachers. Ways to use resource rooms more effectively are suggested. (MT)

A gifted facilitator for junior high students describes her role in providing direct services (including teaching academic course content and higher level thinking skills) and indirect services (such as consulting with parents, teachers, and mentors). She presents a case example of a gifted 7th grader interested in architecture. (CL)

The Immediate Reinforcement and Remediation (IRR) method is advocated as a systematic approach to aid in the success of mainstreamed elementary slow learning and learning disabled students. IRR allows the resource room teacher to followup on identified critical lessons using different materials and aids. (CL)

Elementary and secondary education services available to learning disabled students in the Vancouver school system are described, including teaching and evaluation centers and an extended skills development center. (CL)