This article presents a case study of a child with autism educated in a regular education classroom. It identifies key factors in the child's successful inclusion: (1) knowing the child's needs; (2) having a positive attitude; (3) inservice training for staff; (4) the involvement of teachers, therapists, and support staff in team planning; and (5)…

Discusses the difficulties in attracting and preparing special educators in the area of severe disabilities. A University of North Carolina at Charlotte program that uses distance learning to prepare special educators to work with students with severe disabilities is described, along with the benefits of distance learning. (CR)

Discusses the movement in teacher education from a behaviorist approach to a constructivist approach. Describes the role of teachers and teacher education programs in the behaviorist tradition (teacher transmits knowledge) and in the contructivist tradition (teacher mediates ideas, constructs meaning and knowledge, and acts upon them). (CR)

Argues that the evaluation of a basic writing program can demonstrate a program's effectiveness and can be useful in opening up a dialog among the instructors. Describes an evaluation program that combines a variety of writing assessments (essays, a multiple-choice editing test, and portfolios assessment) that provide a comprehensive examination…

A study of three children (ages 11-13) without disabilities who served as peer supports for students with disabilities in general education classrooms found that serving as a peer support had positive academic effects on the students without disabilities. Follow-up probes demonstrated that the positive benefits regarding academic engagement…

Two children (ages 7-8) with autism and eight typical peers participated in a study designed to replicate an earlier finding of successful social-skills intervention for children with autism using peer-implemented pivotal response training (PRT). The results of using multiple peer trainers on generalization of treatment effects were assessed.…

Presents case studies of two family literacy programs in Michigan, showing how they adapt their programs to their participants' special needs. Discusses four critical and comprehensive factors revealed in the study (participation, curriculum, staff and administration, and fundraising) that need to be considered when designing effective family…

Describes the context, format, and goals of the Professional Carers' Group, a professional network designed to support a centralized treatment project for young people who have sexually abused others. Ways that group-based work with potentially isolated local professionals may help a treatment program maintain a systemic perspective is discussed.…

Summarizes ongoing research designed to generate new knowledge about the relative effectiveness of different approaches to the prevention and remediation of reading disabilities in children, particularly difficulties in acquiring accurate and fluent word reading skills. Preliminary results from the prevention study and the remediation study are…

Using interviews, literature reviews, and prison visits, describes three prominent features that promote rehabilitation in one country's prisons: unique environmental conditions, extensive work and training programs, and frequent use of community reintegration programs. Attributes rehabilitation success to its high priority in correctional law and…

Students enrolled in a first-year seminar were paired with a matched comparison group, and retention of the 1,853 students in the two groups was compared over a period of 4 years. Results indicated significantly greater retention over a period of 4 years for students enrolled in the seminar. (EV)

A study examining the long-term influences of a university wilderness orientation program interviewed 16 participants 17 years later. Three consistent themes emerged: assumptions of themselves and others were challenged; peer friendships developed had strong, positive, and lasting effects; and the orientation program positively affected their…

Describes an educational program, which helped school nurses identify potential mental health problems. All school nurses in one district received the education, and six nurses developed and implemented practice improvement projects with at-risk students. The sessions addressed pathways to violence, therapeutic communication, and depression and…

Examines the implementation and processes of the Faculty-in-Training Program at Guilford Technical Community College. Recognizes the aspects of the program that have proved successful and identifies changes that have been made based upon what the authors' experience has taught them. (SG)

Wilderness programs have earned a well-respected niche in the continuum of care for troubled youth and families by providing quality counseling and education in an outdoor environment. Research substantiates claims of program effectiveness. Outdoor therapeutic programming can be dissected into identifiable techniques and approaches, which have…