Four groups (elementary principals, special education administrators, classroom teachers, and special education teachers) were surveyed concerning attitudes toward mainstreaming, focusing on the effects on academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development of handicapped students and effects on nonhandicapped peers, teachers, and…

This commentary outlines the unique features of the profession of special education, such as its emphasis on the individual; teamwork with other school-based professionals; and the influence, both tangible and intangible, on children's development. The editorial concludes that there is "just enough wonderful" each day to encourage teachers to…

This article offers guidelines to first-year special education teachers concerning confidentiality issues, especially in relation to substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Guidelines address what to do if the teacher is absent and what to do if teaching assistants are absent. Also provided are several Web resources on confidentiality. (DB)

This paper reviews the literature on peer tutoring and other experiences that may interest secondary students in careers in special education, and notes the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such programs. Examples of current programs are given, including a variation which integrates athletes with and without mental retardation. The potential…

Three facets of the teacher education model describe student characteristics which dictate the need for educational alternatives, the various roles which the successful master teacher must perform, and the various competencies which permit the teacher to function in a variety of roles. Examples of learning experiences are provided. (Author/CL)

A discussion is presented on the knowledge and skills helpful to special educators in their role as consulting teachers in mainstreaming. A parallel is drawn between adult development phases and career development. Sources of resistance to mainstreaming are cited. Three modes of consulting (provision, prescriptive, and mediation) are described.…

Competency-based in-service education programs are put forth as an effective way to provide systematic training for special education teachers. (MM)

Four issues of gifted education for which more attention should be paid to the development of defensible rationales are examined, touching upon identification of the gifted, process models of gifted education, teachers of the gifted, and program evaluation. (DLS)

Suggests that instructing deaf children to use the library can be effective if both teacher and librarian cooperate to make the instruction meaningful. Incorporating the children's own experiences into lessons, using informal teaching methods, and correlating the curriculum with library resources are recommended. (FM)

The authors examine the special educator's plight in translating laboratory findings into classroom practice, in terms of the possible ungeneralizability of the experimental outcomes. (Author/PHR)

The article discusses the use of logic in the classroom with educationally handicapped (emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, and mentally retarded) children. (DLS)

The collection of student data, both academic and behavioral, can enhance self-assessment and self-efficacy of special education teachers. The theory of self-efficacy is explained and techniques for collecting student performance data are suggested. (DB)

Described is a training activity to introduce special educators to the transdisciplinary teaming model in comparison with the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary models. The group activity highlights critical components of each model. It has been used with more than 100 special education team members in Connecticut to introduce…

The importance of laughter and humor to enhance education, and special education in particular, is addressed. A sense of humor is an attitude, and humor together with enthusiasm helps students enjoy the learning process. Humor can make students become more alert, and can have very positive influences on affect. A funny remark, a pleasant…

These standards and guidelines have been developed by the membership of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and approved by its governance as the best vehicle for evaluating the variety of special education personnel preparation programs. The CEC system of standard/guideline development assures the National Council for Accreditation of…