The head of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services urges special educators to remain committed to quality educational services, to serve as leaders in the regular education reform called for in the national education strategy "America 2000," and to recruit special education personnel representing diverse ethnic and…

In this interview with Drs. Nancy Waldron and James McLeskey, they discuss creating school environments in which all learners are successful, helping teachers plan for differentiated instruction, effective grouping arrangements, and the role of principals, special educators, and school psychologists in helping schools become inclusive. (Contains…

This article explores the practice of social inquiry in professional work, drawing from the democratic ethics of John Dewey. It explains how Dewey viewed inquiry as free, cooperative, and practical and concludes with a description of advisory work within the self-advocacy movement as an example of Deweyan democracy in action. (Contains…

In this response to an article exploring the practice of social inquiry in special education by drawing from the democratic ethics of John Dewey (Danforth, 2001), the value of professional knowledge based on science is stressed. It argues that mismatching forms of knowledge with questions causes problems. (Contains references.) (CR)

In this response to an article that explores the practice of social inquiry in professional work by drawing from the democratic ethics of John Dewey (Danforth, 2001), an argument is made against professionalism and a plea is made for inquiry guided by democratic principles. (Contains references.) (CR)

In this opinion piece, the author views several major problems facing those who care about students labeled has having learning disabilities (LD). He believes that while there are technical problems that educators should be able to fix (definition of LD, best instructional practices for students so identified, powerful secondary programs that…

Although students with emotional or behavioral disorders have historically experienced poor school outcomes compared to other students with and without disabilities, a number of effective practices are available that can make special education for students with emotional or behavioral disorders special. Within the three broad intervention areas of…

For a mainstreaming program to be effective, students should be able to experience success in a regular classroom with the enhanced self-image that accompanies a positive experience. Maximizing classroom accommodations for learning disabled students can help improve these students' access to educational opportunities and increase the probability…

In response to Kenneth Kavale's theoretical objections to the model of severe discrepancy in determining the existence of learning disabilities, this article describes advantages of discrepancy considerations and presents a model that emphasizes the role of the learning disabilities teacher in diagnosing and remediating specific learning…

Discusses profound effect PL 99-457 will have upon rural school districts as they attempt to comply by providing adequate services to handicapped youngsters from birth to age five. Addresses shortage of qualified teachers, coordination and funding of services, opportunities for interagency collaboration, incentives to serve, and preparation…

Suggests effective strategies from early childhood education to use in teaching young handicapped children. Teachers could include group activities fostering peer interaction; provide opportunities for free play; practice being less directive and more interactive; and recognize the benefits of a less teacher-controlled classroom environment. (BB)

The author makes suggestions for teachers of special education students concerning accommodating individual needs. The suggestions include: (1) adjust the level of difficulty appropriately; (2) make only those changes which are really necessary; (3) give the poor reader a break; (4) make notetaking easier; and (5) teach for attention,…

Addresses the problems of special education in the larger context of curriculum theory. Points out the inadequacy of considering such issues as mainstreaming, identification of exceptional students, and teacher training in isolation from more fundamental questions of learning goals or outcomes. (TE)

A teacher of children with multiple handicaps and the mother of a child in the class describe changes made as they worked together to create a more open and child-centered classroom. (RH)

The recent development and adoption by the Council for Learning Disabilities of principles of ethical practice are recounted. The 5 major principles are presented, supported by 27 examples of appropriate actions. Principles address respect for the rights of individuals, effective educational practice, professional integrity, collaborative working…