This article discusses arguments for and against ability grouping as reflected in the literature and research work. Such tracking problems as segregation, stigma, and elitism are discussed, as are between-class vs. within-class grouping strategies and specifically designed programs for the gifted. (PB)

In relatively recent months the U. S. Congress and the Georgia General Assembly have enacted comprehensive legislation that affects the placement of students in special education programs. The major concern of this article is the procedural safeguards in regard to student classifications. The major precedent-setting cases in the area of due…

Since attitudes, expectations, and practices related to minorities and handicapped individuals are similiar, it is suggested that teacher education programs for these groups also be similar. Compatible components of special education and multieducational teacher competencies are discussed. (DF)

This reprinted paper was originally published in 1981 and addresses issues of classification of children with disabilities in the United Kingdom. It considers several "within-child" and several interactive models in special education and concludes by encouraging the stating of children's special educational needs rather than…

A simulated report of a child referred either for learning disabilities or gifted placement consideration was reviewed by 40 practicing school psychologists. Results indicate that reason for referral resulted in significant levels of bias regarding assessment and recall of the report and classification of the student. (TJH)

This article reports the academic and special education status of 129 graduates of special education preschools at 19 years of age. Participants had been randomly assigned to either direct instruction or mediated learning preschool classrooms. At age 19, their achievement was approximately one standard deviation below average. Consistent with…

Proposals for restructuring and integration of special and general education, known as the regular education initiative (REI), represent a revolution in the basic concepts related to the education of handicapped students that have provided the foundation of special education for over a century. Education policy, as presented by Presidents Reagan…

The effects of labels, "mentally retarded" and "institutionalized" on the evaluations and causal attributions of nonretarded persons, and on the social distance preferences of EMR persons, were assessed. In addition, each group was asked to predict the likelihood of a labeled (mentally retarded) or a nonlabeled target person achieving success at a…

This handbook (written in English and French) provides guidelines for integrating children with special needs into regular day care programs and discusses the need for a network of social services for these children and their families. The guide explains (1) the rationale for mainstreaming and the advantages and disadvantages of categorizing…

This paper summarizes the views expressed by various conference participants concerning current screening, diagnostics, and assessment procedures at the preschool, infant school, and junior school levels. The variety of practices employed by different educational psychologists, advisors, and teachers at different levels are discussed. References…

Compares and contrasts movements for education of handicapped and of gifted children to discover philosophical and economic incompatibilities as well as grounds for future cooperation between advocates for the two groups. Shared concerns include identification of gifted and retarded, rationales for providing services, opposition, mainstreaming vs.…

This paper reports the results of a study that investigated the reading differences between students who were low achieving, both with and without the label of learning disabilities (LD). Seventy-nine studies were chosen to calculate reading performance differences between low achievers with and without the LD label. The substantive and…

Results showed that the labeling process does not lead diagnosticians to place children in more restrictive educational programs. A comprehensive assessment-intervention-follow-through model that minimizes the potential dangers and abuses of labeling is proposed. (Author)

Implemented the Orton-Gillingham and TouchMath systems of instruction to improve language and mathematics skill development among at-risk rural first graders. After 2 years of intervention, participating students showed marked improvement in reading scores, and those considered at risk for reading and mathematics difficulties at the beginning of…

Papers by Lloyd Dunn and Evelyn Deno are analyzed for their ideas about merging special and general education, labeling, and blaming students' failure to learn solely on teachers. Development of a culture of disability that uses the distinctive characteristics of persons with disabilities to develop a positive identity through congregation,…