Structured interviews with 150 elementary students with learning disabilities found that they accurately perceived that special education is intended to provide extra help for children with academic problems. Students reported they liked special education classes, though some missed instruction or recreational activities in their mainstream class…

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Division of Special Education (DSE), per Section 162.1136 RSMo, conducts an annual study of the educational status of eligible blind/visually impaired students and reports the findings to the Missouri Legislature on December 1st each year. The information contained in this report…

The process of teaching reading to 12 second- and third-grade learning-disabled children was investigated in mainstream classrooms and resource rooms. The study focused on how the process of achieving intersubjectivity in a routine task like reading takes place and how the construction of intersubjectivity (referred to as scaffolding) can vary as…

An approach to occupational therapy (OT) in a rural school is described which utilizes a combination of direct service, monitoring, and consultation. A collaborative style of OT consulting is used, which calls for the therapist to join the child study team when motor-related problems are identified. The approach provides continuous and…

The generalization of specific social skills to new environments by four elementary aged learning-disabled students was studied using a modified multiple baseline, single-subject research design. During one spring semester, each student was trained for 12 weeks in the use of a specific social skill (such as compliance, cooperative play, or…

The internationally accepted definition of gifted children includes a range of factors that contribute to giftedness, but makes no mention of the child's motivation, capacity for self-initiation, or ability to work independently. Using the current definition, schools and teachers remain bound to gifted identification based on academic achievement…

The social outcomes of two mainstreaming programs were compared for 24 first through third grade handicapped children. Ss were randomly assigned to one of two placements: a traditional resource room or an adaptive educational program. Placement differed in the amount of time students spent in an integrated setting, the instructional practices, and…

Addressed are theoretical issues involved in implementing a full-service learning disabilities/remedial reading resource program for grades 4 to 8. Topics considered include distinctions between various types of resource rooms, principles of reorganizing school services to provide a full services resource program (including implications for staff…

The extent of similarities and differences among educable mentally retarded (EMR), learning disabled (LD), and emotionally disturbed (ED) children was investigated with 75 resource room teachers. Teachers were asked to provide information regarding the children in their classes and some of their program activities; equal numbers of each type of…

A model is outlined for translating validated instructional principles into effective educational practices. Thirty-seven resource room teachers attended two three-hour workshops which were designed to train them to use an instructional program for teaching ten sight words to remedial readers. Teachers' reactions to the program were gathered as…

Briefly explained are the concept, goals, function, and programing of the resource room approach to providing supplementary instructional support for mildly handicapped children. Noted in an operational mechanics section are facilities needed and procedures for initial referral, student identification and evaluation, scheduling, and reporting…

The effect of two special education resource models (teacher consultant model and resource room model) on student achievement and on teacher and student behavior was contrasted, using 480 learning disabled and educable mentally handicapped children (mean age of eight years and four months). (BD)

The effects of social support and school placement on 51 learning-disabled elementary and secondary students were assessed. Students with higher levels of perceived social support scored higher in general self-worth, athletic competence, scholastic competence, and behavioral conduct than students with fewer social supports. School placement was…

Use of the whole language theory can improve the reading and writing of the language-learning disabled. This paper describes resource room characteristics necessary to create a whole language-learning environment and outlines instructional practices consistent with whole language theory, such as reading aloud, language experience approach,…

Joe Renzulli asserts that pull-out programs for gifted elementary school children that reflect horizontal enrichment and vertical acceleration can provide flexibility and enable radical departures from the regular curriculum. Joyce VanTassel-Baska counters that current pull-out programs are inadequately planned, provide insufficient time, are…