Among 580 Colorado physical education teachers with mainstreamed handicapped students, 87 rural teachers served the fewest mainstreamed disabled students, were the most involved in the placement process, had the smallest budgets, and had the best overall participation in designing individualized educational programs despite limited assessment…

This article describes application of a collaborative service model for students with disabilities in a Minnesota middle school. The model delivers special education services in mainstream classrooms through curricula that are adapted, supplemented, and modified. The characteristics and role of the effective collaborating teacher are explored. (DB)

A national survey of teachers of the hearing impaired (n=313) in either nonintegrated classes in residential schools and day programs, or in integrated settings in regular public schools, or in itinerant programs examined perceptions of the competencies most critical to their job. Similarities and differences in teacher competencies across service…

A survey of 48 secondary-level learning disability content teachers and 45 basic skills teachers examined their relationship with the mainstream, curricular structure, instructional methodology, and students' behavioral characteristics. The two groups differed little in how they taught but more in how they perceived their interactions and their…

Ninety-two teachers participating in co-teaching responded to a survey and 12 of these teachers were subsequently interviewed. Results indicated: (1) general education co-teachers were perceived as doing more than special education partners in the inclusive classroom and (2) co-teachers who had access to identified collaborative practices,…

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Division of Special Education (DSE), per Missouri Revised Statute 162.1136, conducts an annual study of the educational status of eligible blind/visually impaired students and reports the findings to the Missouri Legislature on December 1st each year. The information contained in…

This study identified practicing master teachers' perceptions of the functional differences between beginning teacher competencies in general elementary education and those in special education for elementary students with mild learning and/or behavior problems. Two groups, composed of six special education teachers and six general education…

SWAT (Study with a Teacher) provided a 2 week summer program for 26 handicapped high school students who were mainstreamed into the regular vocational education program. Teams of participants were divided into career clusters with a vocational instructor and special education teacher. Staff was trained to use SWAT revised lesson plans and…

The purpose of this study was to explore whether, and if so how, ongoing measurement and evaluation procedures affect the instruction that special educators provide and the educational decisions that they make. Eighteen experimental group teachers employed specific continuous evaluation procedures while 21 contrast group teachers employed…

A major problem in mainstreaming and implementation of Public Law 94-142 has been in establishing evaluation criteria to determine appropriate learning environment placement. Providing appropriate education in the least restrictive environment is primarily the classroom teacher's responsibility, requiring decision-making based on these questions:…

How paraprofessionals in vocational education programs for the disadvantaged and handicapped are being selected, trained, paid, and utilized is the major focus of the study presented in this document. The need for paraprofessional help and the use of the paraprofessional's time in serving handicapped students is discussed first. Then the barriers…

A teacher education program designed for preservice students who will work with mildly handicapped students in a regular classroom is described. The program consists of four levels of special education to be completed during the students' last two years of college. The principle training takes place in an elementary school setting. At the first…

A high school pilot program is described in which 10 special education staff members provided services to 33 regular educators and 83 learning handicapped students in regular classrooms. Implications for defining the structure and service delivery of an effective program and the teacher competencies needed for successful implementation are…

Spurred by the inclusion trend, adapted physical education (APE) has emerged as a fundamental education service for children with disabilities in recent years. Although only 15 states have a certification or endorsement in APE, the Adapted Physical Education National Standards examination has produced certified APE educators in 21 additional…

A 2-year followup evaluation was conducted with 1 male and 19 female rural Nevada regular and special education teachers and related service workers who had participated in two summer institutes on teaching practices for students with severe, multiple disabilities and students with emotional disturbances. Telephone interviews sought to determine…