The researchers investigate how learners with barriers to learning experience the transition to classes for learners with special educational needs. The research was conducted at a full-service school in Potchefstroom, North West province, South Africa. Interviews were conducted with current and former teachers as well as the parents of selected…

This study addresses the convergent validity of a new teacher questionnaire to assess the social participation of students with special needs in regular primary schools. The Social Participation Questionnaire (SPQ) consists of four subscales representing four key themes of social participation: friendships/relationships, contacts/interactions,…

This study addresses the social participation of young students (Grades One to Three) with special needs in regular Dutch primary schools. More specifically, the focus lies on four key themes related to social participation: friendships/relationships, contacts/interactions, students' social self-perception, and acceptance by classmates. The…

Background: Positive self-concept is an important educational outcome for individuals with disability. Method: Perceived competence and acceptance of 17 children with intellectual disability, included in mainstream classes, were assessed using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCSA) and…

The purpose was to examine the effects of the type of athletic program (integrated versus segregated) and of the type of sport (basketball versus swimming) on two domains of perceived competence (athletic competence and social acceptance), and general self-worth. Participants were 48 adolescent females with intellectual disabilities (ID) divided…

Predictions from social comparison theory and group reference theory were tested in two experiments assessing the impact of half-day mainstreaming upon the self-concepts of academically handicapped children. The results supported the theoretical viability of social comparison theory and group reference theory in educational settings. (Author/BH)

Comparison of attitudes of 47 deaf and normal hearing high school students taught in either self-contained or mainstreamed classrooms found that deaf students in self-contained classrooms expressed significantly more negativism than did students from other educational milieus. (DB)

The social status of 40 mildly learning handicapped and 24 nonhandicapped students and their own perceptions of and their ideal preference for social status were investigated. (Author)

The peer acceptance and self perceived status of 16 elementary grade students with moderate, severe and profound hearing impairments enrolled in regular public school classrooms were examined. Eleven Ss comprised a longitudinal sample and were in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade at the time of the follow-up study; five Ss were in first grade.…

The social support and self-esteem of 115 adolescents with visual impairments who attended mainstream Finnish schools, and a control group of 607 classmates were assessed. Self-esteem of the adolescents did not differ; relationships with friends contributed to the enhancement of the self-esteem of the adolescents with visual impairments.…

The paper explores the issue of mainstreaming and reviews some of the literature relevant to the educational environment of mentally handicapped children. Various viewpoints such as ambiguous efficacy results, effects on self-concept, lack of mainstream services, rejection of retarded children by normal peers, and racial segregation in special…

The paper reviews selected research findings relative to the social acceptance/rejection and self-concept of handicapped students in regular classroom environments. Studies are limited to those involving educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, or behaviorally disordered children. (SBH)

Because the physically disabled student must adjust to his/her inclusion into a nonhandicapped environment and to large group instruction simultaneously, the preparation of inservice teachers and nonhandicapped students should acquaint them with the physical, psychosocial, and academic factors associated with handicaps. (JN)