This collaborative study centered around the development and implementation of an integrative module for science and language arts methods courses in a teacher education program. The study was conducted within an action research framework and was informed by perspectives on collaborative inquiry and the two instructors' personal practical…

This collection of 10 papers is intended as a resource book integrating information on pediatric cochlear implants for educators, parents, implant teams, and rehabilitation specialists. The papers focus on the importance of providing an oral educational environment to maximize cochlear implant success. An introduction notes controversies in the…

Intervention advances in mental retardation have enabled some individuals to function as independent, nonretarded persons. Establishing total habilitation (a term needed to describe this outcome) as a major goal of intervention will promote research and the development of an intervention continuum that includes prevention, total habilitation, and…

Administrators and teachers must gain more knowledge of new research on the gifted and use this information to create new educational programs that make optimal use of gifted students' learning styles and appropriate teaching methods. (CB)

General and specific strategies useful in facilitating an integrated educational environment for children with severe disabilities are presented. Strategies include, among others, identifying and facilitating natural supports, using a participation approach, demonstrating success locally, recruiting collaborators, communicating with all members of…

This article describes various types of allergies, how they are diagnosed medically, and the different forms of medical treatment. It also considers how allergies may affect school learning and behavior, the connection between allergies and learning and behavioral disorders, the impact of allergy medications upon classroom performance, and various…

This article offers an approach to providing integrated education for students with disabilities by effectively involving major stakeholders (building-level administrators, general education staff, special education staff, and students). A matrix displays categories of support (beliefs/values, content, methods, and adult-adult interactions) for…

This article presents a teacher collaboration model called curriculum-based collaboration (CBC), which utilizes the differing expertise and perspectives of general and special education teachers. CBC includes several steps: (1) identify key content; (2) hold a planning meeting; (3) deliver instruction; (4) conduct an interim assessment; (5)…

Speech language pathologists providing collaborative-consultative services are urged to utilize a student skills framework, such as that of the MEGASKILLS approach, which focuses on developing students' confidence, motivation, effort, responsibility, initiative, perseverance, caring, teamwork, problem solving, and common sense. (DB)

This article presents the techniques of a special education teacher who practiced effective scaffolded instruction. A case study illustrates use of scaffolded instruction to break the failure cycle and such techniques as establishing a shared goal, actively diagnosing the learner's understandings and needs, providing tailored assistance, giving…

This document presents a brief synthesis of recent literature on attention deficit difficulties with hyperactivity, particularly literature concerning classroom interventions. It describes diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, its incidence, behavioral characteristics of students who exhibit attention difficulties and…

This information sheet summarizes requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regarding inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and lists activities and support systems that have been found successful in fostering such inclusion. Suggestions are given in the areas of attitudes and beliefs,…

A descriptive study reports on attitudes of 24 special day class teachers toward mainstreaming of learning handicapped students and toward practices used to implement mainstreaming. Questionnaires were completed concerning factual, attitudinal, and process information for placement and monitoring in the least restrictive environment (LRE).…

In this publication are three short articles on successful school practices. "Learning Is the Outcome; Test Scores Are Just the Measure" describes test-preparation efforts in Mesa, Arizona, public schools. The district has instituted a program to assist principals and teachers in aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and in…

This guide, in workbook form, offers an assessment model for service learning programs that focuses on the four constituencies of service learning: students, faculty, community, and the institution. The approaches described were evaluated and refined in a pilot study with 10 service learning courses. The model provides both quantitative and…