A comparative review of the literature on integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools across Western nations is presented. Implications for national policymaking and program implementation are discussed, based on programs in the United States, England, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Sweden. Case studies of integrated children with…

The report describes the Swedish educational and employment system and efforts underway to facilitate the transition from school to work for handicapped adolescents. A review of the general education system touches upon administrative structure, finance, and trends in compulsory comprehensive school and in upper secondary schools. The next section…

This report examines the successes and problems of educational reforms in Sweden. Examiners from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) collected data and information for the report from published and unpublished documents and from a two-week tour of the country. The reforms are judged by three main objectives: equality;…

A study compared resources and supports expressed as being available and in need of change among 39 Swedish teachers with pupils in integrated and segregated school environments in relation to inclusion. Regardless of educational setting, teachers perceived strong needs for regular and ongoing inservice training and access to university courses.…

Public and private organizations have developed toy libraries in Sweden for children with disabilities and children in need of special support for their development. Toy libraries have become places where parents can acquire advice with regard to play, meet a pedagogue with experience with children with handicaps, and meet other parents with the…

The seven chapters of this theme issue focus on efforts in four countries to understand and improve the experiences of students traditionally defined as having disabilities or special needs. The chapters include a discussion of the language of special education reform and accounts of inclusion-related issues in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the…

The number of handicapped children receiving special education in Zimbabwe is very limited and there appears to be no national policy for special education. However, the Swedish International Development Agency in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of Zimbabwe has conducted a national disability survey and is developing a special education…

This Swedish paper discusses the design of an inclusive curriculum for students with disabilities based on Rousseau's concept of a social contract. The importance of a curricular philosophy in which social competence and ecological conditions are crucial provisions in shaping the curriculum is discussed. The social contract philosophy is used to…

Ten papers focus on aspects of special education in Britain, Canada and Sweden. "The Meaning of Handicap" by J. Bicknell presents a dynamic view of handicaps and discusses the effects of others' reactions to the disabled child. M. Cooley ("A Study of Parental Response to Pre-School Provision for Handicapped Children") reviews a…

This article provides information on special education topics on the international front. Topics range from a BrailleNote project in British Columbia, a Swedish program to help Romanian children with special needs, a visual resource room to help New Zealand students with visual impairments, and technology programs in European countries. (CR)

Parents of 180 Swedish children (ages 3-19) with different types of disabilities attending Computer Play Centers evaluated the importance of computers for their children within ten different areas of development. Parents had high expectations of the computer and believed computers helped develop their child's self-confidence, coordination,…

This monograph offers an international perspective on the period of transition from school to adult and working life for young people who are disabled. It examines practices which appear to be effective in facilitating a successful transition and looks at ways in which important features of those practices might be incorporated into professional…

Reviewing international school attendance statistics, the author notes that, while the United States is the pioneer of mass schooling, it too has school attendance problems, particularly relating to the exclusion of handicapped and delinquent youth. He looks at the techniques other nations are using to deal with these problems. (SJL)

This paper examines trends in special education teacher education in Sweden from 1921 to 1981. Changes such as the institution of a one-year special education teacher training course are discussed, with emphasis on changes in the relationship of special education to the whole school system. Trends and goals since 1981 are also briefly noted.…

In considering what to do with the normally existing diversity in a group of children coming to a school intended for all, the concepts of integration, segregation, inclusion, and exclusion must be considered as characteristics of school aims, organization, and work. Questions related to these concepts are particularly pertinent in a discussion of…