This theme journal issue focuses on current activities of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services which stress inclusion of students with disabilities in the mainstream. It begins with a message from the Assistant Secretary, Robert R. Davila which examines the full meaning of an "inclusive" education. Next, Barbara Buswell and Beth Schaffner, in "Building Friendships--An Important Part of Schooling", focus on how development of integrated friendships can be supported with examples from the PEAK Integration Project. "The Career Ladder Program Multi-district Outreach: The Road to Success" (by Shepherd Siegel and Deborah Brians) stresses principles of integration underlying this San Francisco (California) program. The following article, by Shirin D. Antia and Kathryn Kreimeyer, titled "Project Interact: Interventions for Social Integration of Young Hearing-Impaired Children," reports on two studies comparing the effectiveness of a social skills intervention and an integrated activities intervention. The following article, "Why Are These People Working?", by Frank Simpson, reports on employment activities and outcomes fostered by the Helen Keller Services for the Blind. Next, Judith A. Cook, in "Thresholds Theater Arts Program," describes vocational opportunities developed by the Thresholds National Research and Training Center on Rehabilitation and Mental Illness in Chicago (Illinois). "Closing the Sheltered Workshop: A Case Study of Agency Change" (Stephen Murphy and Pat Rogan) examines the change process at the Pioneer Activities Center (Syracuse, New York). Finally, Kenneth D. Gadow, summarizes the literature on "Medication and School Behavior." (Most articles include references.) (DB)