This study examined the listener preparatory behaviors (LPBs) of selecting a listener, establishing listener proximity, and obtaining listener attention, as exhibited by 16 preschoolers with moderate to severe disabilities attending three different self-contained programs. It revealed that opportunities for children to display all three LPBs in…

This paper argues for considering the uniqueness of each student with serious emotional/behavioral disorders when deciding on placement. A full continuum of alternatives should be considered, including the possibility that a self-contained class with a low student/teacher ratio may be the least restrictive setting needed to produce successful…

The study found relative independence of the specific components of self-concept in 200 gifted pupils enrolled in self-contained enrichment classes in grades 5 through 8. Self-perceptions of social and scholastic competence and of physical appearance were the major contributors to self-concept. There was no evidence of a developmental process. (DB)

Gifted education in Israel was established 18 years ago and now serves 20,000 pupils. Services include special classes in regular schools, pull-out programs, afternoon enrichment courses and special science courses offered by colleges, universities, and municipalities for Jewish, Arab, and Druze students. (Author/DB)

A survey was conducted of 77 U.S. and Canadian teacher preparation programs in education of hearing-impaired students. Findings indicated that most programs train teachers to work in self-contained settings and that most programs are inadequate for preparing teachers of secondary-level hearing-impaired students. (DB)

This article describes the introduction of writing portfolios to elementary school students with learning disabilities in self-contained special education classrooms. It discusses getting started, contents of the portfolio, instructional goals and objectives, conferences, observations, and portfolio evaluation. (Author/DB)

Analysis of survey responses of elementary and junior high students (n=1,527) in regular, resource, and self-contained special education classrooms found significant main effects for group, grade, and group by grade interactions for amount, type, and time spent doing homework; opportunity to do homework at school; parents' assistance; and…

Data from 162 special education teachers and 31 administrators in restrictive placements for students with serious emotional disturbance (SED) found that reintegration orientation, demographic characteristics of restrictive SED programs, and particular experiences/training of special educators predict reintegration rates of SED students into less…

Two Israeli studies compared a total of 108 elementary or high school students with mild learning disabilities placed in either self-contained or regular classes. The studies found no evidence that student growth was greater in the self-contained class, although these students did tend to have a higher academic self-concept. (Author/DB)

Use of Assertive Discipline procedures (emphasizing consistent application of praise and reward) were applied with two five-year olds with developmental delays and behavior problems over a one-year period. The procedures were effective in both segregated and regular classroom settings. Differential effects across types of disruptive behavior were…

A self-contained class of students with mild to moderate disabilities published a monthly newsletter which was distributed to students' families. Students became involved in writing, typing, drawing, folding, basic editing, and disseminating. (JDD)

Special education teachers (n=158) of students with severe disabilities indicated that they believed that friendships between their students and nondisabled peers are possible and beneficial to both and that such friendships are more likely when students are partially mainstreamed. However, teachers felt that functional skills are better developed…

A study investigated the ethical reasoning of five Canadian teachers of children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities in segregated classrooms. Findings indicated that teachers gave almost exclusive consideration to individual student interests in their discussion of four ethical dilemmas. The governing principle in their argument…

Discusses how the advent of public school special day-classes for children with disabilities marked a major shift in the service model in the direction of educational and societal inclusion. The different visions of the classes as cluster, clinic, and clearinghouse are explained. (Author/CR)

This article describes implementation of a Sharing Chair as part of literacy program in a third and fourth grade special education learning disabilities class. Following free writing in their personal journals, students could share and receive feedback from a peer/teacher audience. The article presents results of analysis of videotape recordings…