Exploration, in three elementary classes, of the social affiliations of students who were either academically gifted or had learning or emotional/behavioral difficulties found students formed distinct peer clusters around shared characteristics, particular social characteristics were associated with students' level of centrality in the classroom,…

A longitudinal study examined the effect of perceptions of prejudice/discrimination on minority and nonminority students at a public, predominantly white, commuter college. Results show minorities were more likely than whites to feel discrimination and prejudice while on campus and that these perceptions affected adjustment to college and…

For immigrants and refugees, access to a national or majority language is an important issue. According to its immigrant language training policy, Canada offers its newcomers language instruction for the purposes of settlement and integration. One important aspect of settlement and integration involves literacy. Our study examined the concept of…

This longitudinal study explored the degree to which a required MBA course emphasizing experiential learning positively influenced student retention. Results from subgroup comparisons across multiple time periods suggest that this type of teaching methodology leads to enhanced retention effects. The improved retention is attributed to the…

This compilation of materials about integration/inclusion of children with special needs in regular education programs includes vignettes describing students' successful inclusion experiences and information on resources. The summaries of individual cases were based on interviews which explored motivations for inclusion, key players and their…

This manual provides information to caregivers on how to successfully develop a child care center that includes children with disabilities. The benefits of inclusion for children, parents, and providers are identified. Principles for developing an inclusive program are noted, such as developing a partnership with a special education agency. The…

Four information briefs offer guidelines for educators of students with deaf-blindness in integrated or self-contained settings, concerning: (1) facilitating student interactions; (2) adapting classroom materials and activities; (3) grouping students to increase interaction; and (4) implementing cooperative learning strategies. To facilitate…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a research project that examined which training procedures lead to effective acquisition and generalization of social skills of students with serious emotional disturbances and behavior problems. Specifically, goals of the project were: (1) to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of five training…

A year-long qualitative study constructed a "thick" (rich, literal) description and interpretation of the social organization, interactions, and attitudes displayed within one self-contained second-grade classroom during its scholastic language arts activities and instruction to explain how a literacy learning environment can be seen as…

This collection of original papers draws upon work in linguistics, psychology, and education to highlight the relationship between language acquisition in deaf and hearing populations. The book's 11 chapters are divided into 2 sections, Theoretical Issues and Research Reports. Titles and authors are as follows: "Language Varieties in the Deaf…

This videotape and viewing guide present an emerging learner-centered paradigm of teaching and learning and contrast this new paradigm with traditional concepts. An associated guide describes the elementary school in the videotape, noting the full inclusion of 50 students identified as disabled, the team approach in which teachers are renamed…

Recent research in cultural diversity has concentrated on the complexity of ethnic and racial identity. This study measures the bicultural and global-human identities among first- and second-generation, Mexican-American adolescents. The participants, (84 male, 93 female) from Los Angeles high schools, had both parents of Mexican descent (60 of the…

The debate about whether special education should abolish or conserve its cascade of services model has produced conservationists, who believe in a case-by-case approach to integration by which movement into less restrictive settings is planned, implemented, and evaluated individually, and abolitionists, who work for full inclusion of all students…

This guide for 4-H leaders and volunteers offers information to help integrate youth with disabilities into various 4-H programs. After an introduction, a section on 4-H and mainstreaming reviews the mission of 4-H; considers what 4-H has to offer youth; defines mainstreaming; notes the benefits of mainstreaming; and distinguishes among the terms…

This paper proposes that those who make policy for individuals with severe disabilities ought to evaluate current actions and frame proposed changes according to whether these changes protect or increase citizens' opportunities to build inclusive community by establishing suitable position and priority for adequate government investment. Such…