The paper focuses on the enhancement of the interface between regular educators and special educators with particular emphasis on effective mainstreaming of special education students. It is pointed out that for the interface to take place, positive interpersonal relationships, cooperative teaching conditions, and specific strategies and…

The article proposes a three-dimensional model for conceptualizing problems in the functioning of interdisciplinary team's for handicapped students: (1) as a developing and changing entity, (2) as a set of subsystems, and (3) as a function unit. Each dimension is described and examples of a team dysfunctions within each dimension are provided.…

Many students with disabilities entering the 9th grade express concern about getting lost in the larger high school environment, being picked on by older students, and having more challenging academic classes. The transition from middle-to-high school process for students with disabilities at Westminster High School in suburban Los Angeles is a…

This article describes changes experienced by a multidisciplinary team of the Center for Learning Disabilities in Tirat Carmel, Israel, in the wake of the enactment of the country's Special Education Law. Over the course of several years, the team working at the Center was able to adapt to the changes, while preserving the professional level of…

Adolescents with learning disabilities are not educated in a vacuum. Successful programming for these students involves many school professionals working together to integrate their programs for the benefit of students with learning disabilities. Collaborative teaming probably can best be described as an attitude rather than a certain way of…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to demonstrate and evaluate the incorporation of teambuilding training into a graduate course on transition. A total of 33 students in two different sections of the course participated in six exercises focusing on group development and teambuilding and a group simulation. Students provided input about…

General education teachers are the most frequent consumers of Teacher Assistance Team (TAT) services; therefore, their satisfaction with the purpose, process and outcome associated with this model of prereferral intervention may influence its acceptability, use, implementation, and effectiveness (social validity). Seven empirical studies assessing…

A review of the literature and a detailed analysis of five specific studies on placement team functioning is presented. Among findings are a strong positive relation between staff role and participation (school psychologists were ranked highest on both variables while regular education teachers were ranked lowest) and a very powerful set of role…

The author reviews the background of mainstreaming and least restrictive environment placement for handicapped children, cites problems with the implementation of the concept, and suggests a cooperative approach. He asserts that the learning environment should be modified by focusing on the following factors: modification of content and materials,…

The TASK (Team Approach for Special Kids) approach is a model for special service delivery in which services become part of the disabled student's classroom work rather than provided in "pull-out" fashion. TASK promotes clustering of student objectives, self esteem, and healthy peer relationships. (CL)

A team of guidance counselors, administrators, school social workers, psychologists, and learning disabilities specialists meets regularly to provide support to teachers and students dealing with life crises and students identified as having specific academic, social, or behavioral problems. CL)

The article examines the roles of special educators in providing a variety of support services in mainstream settings including as support facilitator, specialist, professional peer collaborator, as part of a mainstream/teacher assistance team, and in cooperative teaching. (DB)

State Education Agencies (SEAs) lead the charge for effective change, impact, and sustainability in the adoption and implementation of programs and practices that promote school completion. Steps taken by state and local education agencies to decrease dropout include (a) collection, analysis, and public reporting of "dropout" rates and related…

The task of hiring special education teachers may seem daunting because they serve in what is undeniably the most complex of teaching roles. This article provides guidance and suggestions for identifying key competencies that a viable special education teacher candidate should possess. Although many building leaders may still subscribe to gut…

Benefits of collaborative learning as achieved in peer tutoring approaches are considered, and the suggestion is made that partner learning may be just as beneficial for disabled and normal adults as it is for children. Research is reviewed on the benefits of partner learning for all parties involved: for the tutee (increased individualized…