The Individualized Instruction Resource Program (IIRP) is a special program for underachieving freshmen and sophomores at Gordon Technical High School in Chicago. In operation since 1969, IIRP uses a coordinated curriculum, unique scheduling, and a practical, often individual approach, which has consistently increased the self-images of its…

The article addresses programing approaches for secondary gifted students used throughout the country. Goals, identification, and programing options are discussed, including types of acceleration, enrichment, special classes, on campus offerings outside the school day, off-campus options, and special schools. (CL)

Describes the pull-out gifted program at the Chinese High School in Singapore, which provides talented students with a differentiated and enriched curriculum in mathematics, science, and computer science. Other program aspects include a mentoring program and a creative computing camp. The program is seen as combining the advantages of both full-…

This article reports the results of a formative evaluation of an all boys pull-out gifted program in China. Twenty-six seventh-grade gifted students were placed in regular classes but were successfully taught a differentiated curriculum in science, mathematics, and computer science in special pull-out classes. (CR)

Disputes eight myths about special education relating to inclusion, including automatic individualization of instruction and negative effects of attending special classes, the potentially positive effects of eliminating labeling, and the neighborhood school's general education classroom as the least restrictive environment for all children.…

Programs offered by Israel's Department for Gifted Children and Science Oriented Youth are described, focusing on the Ofek School's pull-out programs for students from both religious and secular schools, the science activities of the Weizmann Institute, other science-oriented programs, and study tours for foreign students. (JDD)

Elementary-school learning-disabled, emotionally disabled, educable mentally retarded, and nonhandicapped students (N=122) were observed during written language instruction, to document writing tasks and student responding. Extreme variability was found in the amount of time individual students spent in writing activities or in receiving written…

Factors in the physical arrangement of special education classrooms that may lead to greater instructional control and structure include teacher proximity and view, separation of space, and reduction of extraneous stimuli. The issue of making classrooms more relaxed and home-like versus structuring them like regular classes to prepare students for…

The article describes a social skills training group for 10 British autistic children (ages 9-16 years) which aimed to integrate them into the regular classroom. The weekly sessions were held over 4 years and followed guidelines of G. Mesibov and S. Spence. (Author/DB)

The study found that 74 seventh- and eighth-grade students with either high or moderate contact with hearing impaired students expressed more positive attitudes toward deafness than students who had no contact with the hearing impaired. A similar pattern was found when attitudes toward disabilities in general were evaluated. (DB)

This commentary on EC 605 995 argues that rendering services to students with disabilities in general education does not preclude future problems; general education is not equipped to deal with great student diversity; and training needs should be addressed through special education, community-based education, employment preparation, transition…

This article describes a cooperative project between a teacher and sculptor to link sculpture with academic subjects within a self-contained class for 13-year-old students with learning disabilities. The nine-week project focused on biological habitats and included the construction of three-dimensional habitats on pieces of wood. (DB)

Comparison of teaching behaviors across grade level and educational setting (resource and self-contained) of 65 beginning teachers found main effects for both grade level and educational setting including that elementary teachers provided more transitions between instructional activities and that teachers in self-contained settings exhibited more…

Reading and mathematics learning activities were surveyed in eight special classes for mildly intellectually disabled children and eight regular classes with one mildly intellectually disabled child each. Children in special classes spent the most instructional time in individualized activities, whereas regular class students spent conspicuously…

This review of studies comparing children with behavioral disorders in different educational settings found that pupils in self-contained programs displayed greater improvement in academic achievement than did similar pupils in regular classes. However, the reverse pattern applied to changes in self-concept. Follow-up data indicated enormous…