This article draws on psychoanalytic concepts to examine the reality of inclusion for three primary grade children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Observational material illustrates the impact of inclusion policy on the children, their teachers, the behavior support teacher, and their learning support assistants. Problems arising in…

The position paper contains recommendations for the certification of early childhood special educators serving children (ages birth-five) with special needs and their families. Following a discussion of background issues, the paper proposes a two-level certification structure for generalists and specialists, essential content areas of study, and…

The author looks at the excellence in education trend and analyzes it, using four basic questions: What do the reports have to say? To what extent have the diverse needs of all students and secondary schools been considered? How are the reports likely to affect vocational special needs education? And finally, how might the profession respond? (CT)

The author asserts that special educators must be aware of the standards of the regular classroom and must teach the learning disabled child based on those standards. However, he cites widespread confusion and ambiguity over such standards for promotion. (CL)

The author first reviews emotional hazards and conflicts of teachers of the emotionally disturbed, then describes, with frequent anecdotes, nine examples of the "interpersonal underworld of special education" such as helplessness rage, anger at teammates, and implementation despair. Suggests recognizing feelings to disengage from unproductive…

Parents and teachers need to give themselves permission to exert less pressure on themselves as well as on the children. (SEW)

The author speculates about what might occur if special educators became more aware of some of the assumptions with which regular educators justify their practice. He then explores the consequences of understanding the bases of and accepting each of these assumptions. (CT)

The article advocates use of the consulting teacher model for mainstreaming handicapped children into regular programs. Advantages of the model include improved instructional techniques for all children, avoidance of labeling children, and shared competencies among professionals. (DB)

A difficult situation arises for special educators when they are asked to serve as active advocates for handicapped children, while simultaneously being employed by a public school system, institution of higher education, or state education agency charged with responsibility for implementing various aspects of Public Law 94-142, the Education for…

The author examines future trends in the education of the gifted and talented in such terms as exemplary programs for the gifted and talented, broadening the definition of giftedness, and increases in programs for the gifted disadvantaged. (DB)

The article explores characteristics of resistance by general educators to special education consultation programs. It offers teachers of learning disabled students strategies for managing specific types of resistance as well as a general plan for minimizing resistance as well as suggestions for evaluating the impact of resistance management…

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 discusses the principle of synnoetics as defined by Dr. William A. Kritsonis in the "Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning" as it chronicles the teaching career of Rhodena Townsell. Rhodena, an African American female, began her teaching career as an uncertified special education teacher in a small East Texas town.…

Special education students and handicapped people generally are among those least valued and most discriminated against by society. This paper explores the experience of women who teach severely handicapped students in an attempt to apply some of the increasingly familiar feminist critiques of women's work in education to this unique group. The…

Important issues pertaining to educating the preservice undergraduate special educator are discussed by critically analyzing literature from a nontraditional, multidisciplinary perspective. Diagnostic-prescriptive teaching methodologies are found to be inadequate once again, and suggestions are provided to expand the field's conciousness level by…