This article analyzes the purposes for which collaborative special education programs are established and outlines alternative structures for operationalizing the concept of collaboration in schools. These structures include the teacher assistance team, the child study/resource team, peer collaboration, behavioral consultation, collaborative…

The AIM (Academic Intervention Model) program was designed to promote success for at-risk middle school students within a general education setting, through collaborative efforts between general and special education staff. This paper describes types of services offered, personnel preparation, program outcomes, and implementation suggestions. (JDD)

Discusses difficulties parents encounter when they play with their disabled child and the inappropriateness of some commercial toys for disabled children. Also describes the development of adapted toys and of toy lending libraries for young disabled children. (BB)

A primary teacher describes what it was like for her to have a first grade student with Tourette Syndrome. After discussing diagnosis and intervention, she makes suggestions for teachers who think they have students with similar problems. (SM)

This study of students in grades 3-6 found that, for learning-disabled students in self-contained placements, subjects' perception of maternal and paternal acceptance plus subjects' academic achievement accounted for 58 percent of variance in subjects' self-esteem. These variables were not significantly correlated with the self-esteem of…

The effects of on-going curriculum-based measurement of student growth and expert system instructional consultation on teacher planning and student achievement in mathematics operations were studied for 33 elementary teachers assigned to one control or 2 experimental groups. Each teacher worked with two learning disabled or emotionally disturbed…

These comments on EC 604 103, concerning child temperament effects on the special education process and outcomes, focus on how the author became interested in the topic, reasons for the paucity of research in this area, the relationship between child temperament and parental temperament, and ways in which teachers can apply the research. (JDD)

A survey of 46 major Canadian universities assessed the population of students with disabilities, the nature and extent of special services offered to this population to improve access to higher education, specific policies and policy differences across institutions, and degree and variation in physical accessibility for students with disabling…

Discusses some of the ethical concerns that early childhood professionals should consider when identifying or adapting assistive technologies for young children with such disabilities as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, visual impairments, and hearing impairments. (BB)

A survey of 73 school districts in British Columbia (Canada) evaluated availability of occupational therapy (OT) services, the most important aspects of OT evaluation, OT treatment and services in general, additional training needed by occupational therapists, demographic information on therapists, and therapists' current roles and functions. (DB)

This paper suggests a process for developing Individualized Education Programs for students served through collaborative/cooperative teaching arrangements. IEPs used in pull-out arrangements are compared to in-class service delivery IEPs. The proposed IEP process is designed to meet legal requirements and guide instruction reflective of the…

This study, involving 9 students (ages 8-11) with learning disabilities, found that 1 session of self-instruction training was not sufficiently powerful for students to learn a strategy for solving arithmetic problems, but a second session and access to tape-recorded cues resulted in improved performance. Effects did not generalize to student…

The current status of state mental retardation/developmental disability agency information systems related to day and employment programs for persons with disabilities is described. Data regarding the number and characteristics of persons served in various day-employment programs and the funding sources are summarized. Suggestions regarding data…

Thirty-seven secondary students with learning disabilities were taught health facts and concepts, which they then applied to problem-solving exercises presented through computer simulation games. Students who were taught an explicit strategy for solving problems performed better on two transfer measures than students given supportive feedback and…

School design must reflect deep-seated changes in educational practices such as using outcome-based education, reorganizing traditional grade structures, grouping students in "houses," and mainstreaming handicapped children. Describes designs for five school buildings that are intended to enhance and undergird what goes on in classrooms.…