This paper defines "inclusion," discusses ways to think about curriculum related to inclusive education, presents a process of curriculum development to assist teams in including students with disabilities in regular classrooms, and provides specific curricular strategies and tools to assist in the curriculum development process for…

Three examples of successful integration efforts in England are presented. Springfield Junior School in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, originally comprised three separate institutions--an ordinary junior school, a special unit for children with severe learning difficulties, and a special unit for children with moderate learning difficulties. The three…

The article traces the steps that St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, followed in the implementation of their Total Communication program. (Author)

In this speech, the Secretary of Education identifies characteristics and principles common to all good schools including strong institutional and instructional leadership, a safe and orderly learning environment, teaching of the basics, high expectations, assessment of student progress, and accountability. Such principles are seen to apply…

This article addresses three issues concerning the development of social skills in young children with special needs, especially children with severe social limitations. First, the importance of children's social skills is stressed; next, specific peer-related social skills that should receive priority in early intervention are identified; and…

This paper discusses two approaches to designing and studying integrated media applications, relating each to current theories of learning and thinking. After a discussion of the "curriculum embellishment" and "break-the-mold" approaches, alternatives to decontextualized curricula are examined in the context of new and revised goals for learning.…

This study of two sixth-grade classrooms (containing general, remedial, and special education students) evaluated teacher planning, curriculum content, classroom instruction, student perception, and student assessment. The study suggests the need for a carefully defined model for serving students with special needs in content classes, with clearly…

Cognitive apprenticeship emphasizes a combination of authentic problem-solving experiences with expert guidance in lieu of decontextualized instruction. This article examines issues in cognitive science and describes a model of cognitive apprenticeship for providing academic instruction to students with special learning needs. (Author/DB)

Discussion of special education at the turn of the century raises concerns about the abandonment of core values and professional responsibility (as in the emphasis on general rather than special education), adoption of methodologies (such as co-teaching) without any evidence of effectiveness, and a "one size fits all" approach (inclusion of…

This article presents reconstructionism (the process of critique and reformulation of practice) as a useful way to design curriculum in inclusive schools. Theoretical foundations and the use of learner-centered, process-oriented, and communication-based instructional approaches are proposed as promising practices in curriculum design for diverse…

This paper explores the premise that children with mental and/or physical disabilities should be included in regular education programs whenever possible. Instructional strategies for successful inclusion are discussed and the need for parental and community involvement emphasized. The paper reviews the theory of inclusion; features of the…

A study, in three parts, focuses on the disabled adolescent in terms of difficulties experienced during the last years of basic schooling and at the time of transition into the adult world. Part I examines trends and major issues affecting policy in OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) Member countries. Sections address the…

A system of statewide early intervention for children with developmental delays and/or disabilities was established in Bavaria (Germany) in the 1970s. This article discusses current issues, advantages and disadvantages of proximal (homebound) and centralized (center-based) services, the call for a changing model of early intervention, and…

Some ethical issues associated with use of disability simulations as a teaching tool in college-level courses on individuals with disabilities are discussed. Issues include maximizing authenticity of the experience, the value of confronting difficult situations; teacher responsibility to various constituencies, and relevance of simulations. (MSE)

This article looks at curriculum for students with learning difficulties from a British perspective and urges the replacement of behavioral approaches to the curriculum by a process model which emphasizes personal and social development rather than the National Curriculum. (Author/DB)