Reviewed is the literature on issues relating to the evaluation of special education programs with special emphasis on the comparison of regular versus special class placement and Canadian programs. Results of studies dealing with effects of mainstreaming or special class services are reviewed in terms of social acceptance by peers, self concept,…

This book examines the effects of neighborhood location, the educational context of the school, and such family characteristics as race and socioeconomic status upon the social adjustment of children who are part of a program deliberately designed to achieve greater racial integration. The study reported here was done in a northern city that…

This study investigated the association between personality traits and the intellectual performance of Head Start children. A total of 90 economically disadvantaged Anglo and Mexican American Children from six Head Start classrooms were administered the Preschool Inventory (PSI) to obtain a measure of intellectual development. Each child was also…

This paper examines the power of particular affect and rejection socioquestions to produce characteristic patterns across all the sociometric choices of 576 fifth-graders in 18 classrooms. Of particular concern are the degrees of centrality exhibited in response to socioquestions which pertain to academic competence and failure and the overall…

Examined the role of mainstream pupils in the integration of students with special education needs (SEN), based on accounts from both groups. Found that mainstream pupils control the experiences of pupils with SEN in both positive and negative ways. Results suggest ways schools might guide mainstream pupils' understanding of disability and promote…

Reviews racial bias and racial intolerance among college students during the late 1980s. Asserts that campus bias-related indents are predictable outcomes of increasingly self-interested values and limited personal experience with racial and ethnic diversity. Discusses the need to create more opportunities for contact and interaction among…

Although little research is available on the evaluation of peer intervention programs, several strategies and approaches can be used by educators to determine the effectiveness of prejudice reduction efforts. Presents a sample program evaluation. Notes the importance of a clear theoretical framework and understanding of the factors to be examined…

Notes that children ignored or rebuffed by their peers may be denied access to learning opportunities involving peer interaction. Describes how the sociometric dynamics in one classroom affected three children. Suggests implementations to minimize negative impact of peer rejection including identifying sociometric patterns, and then utilizing…

This longitudinal study examined relations between sociometric status and school adjustment among middle school students. Findings indicated that sixth-grade sociometric status predicted eighth-grade adjustment when controlling for initial adjustment. Compared to average status students, controversial status students had lower classroom grades,…

Discusses the need of young adolescents to belong to their own culture wherein they can attain peer status and achievement. Presents a project in Castle Hill School (Pittsburgh) as an example of helping urban young adolescents to build a culture of achievement. Emphasizes the importance of this culture for young adolescents who cannot separate…

Describes some common characteristics of homeless families and the additional needs and stresses created by being homeless with which children must successfully cope in order to succeed in school. Provides specific counseling intervention strategies to help schools become more responsive to the needs of this at-risk group of students. (LKS)

Describes a 12-unit teacher-developed secondary education program that seeks to reverse the common bias against gays through information, support groups, and school-community programs. Describes the program's success in a Cambridge (Massachusetts) school. Provides teaching tips for addressing sexuality and a list of resources. (JB)

Self-concept and peer-acceptance of 10 learning-disabled (LD) students were compared with 10 low-achieving and 10 high-achieving students over 4 to 5 years (from kindergarten) prior to and following identification of the LD students. Implications of LD identification for self-concept are discussed. (SLD)

Uses case studies on promoting interaction skills for integrating young children with special needs in nursery schools to examine the link between research methodology and promotion of educational quality. Asserts that the research process can influence interaction strategies and promote effective, reflective practice. Notes that teams need…

This study examined the effects of severity of disability, and classroom composition (heterogeneous or nonheterogeneous) on peer acceptance of students with disabilities. Predicted severity of disability-by-classroom composition interaction effects on peer acceptance were indicated by multivariate analysis of variance, and analysis of variance…