Discusses the role of higher education in developing student's wider attributes and skills (transferable skills) in response to government and industry seeking to improve graduate employability. Outlines how the University if Luton (United Kingdom) has developed a curriculum to address this issue, and a modular credit scheme is appended.…

This article reviews requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for providing access to the general education curriculum, examines the intent of the language, and proposes a decision-making model to enable Individualized Education Program teams to reach curriculum decisions that provide such access for students with mental…

A study investigated the perceptions of general education high school students who participated in a structured peer buddy service learning program designed to increase their social interactions with students with severe disabilities. Participants reported having positive attitudes toward their peers with severe disabilities and experienced…

A study investigated whether 44 students (ages 11-19) with mild mental retardation demonstrated more self-determination behaviors in regular classrooms than in resource classrooms. Results indicate that these students demonstrated more self-determination behaviors in resource classrooms. Implications for self-determination instruction and…

A study investigated the literacy performance of 132 students (ages 9-19) with mild to moderate mental retardation. Twenty-two percent achieved "minimum literacy," which included the ability to recognize words, comprehend a narrative passage, write at least two letters representing sounds in words, and write at least two words. (Contains…

Effects of peer versus teacher delivered individualized instruction when teaching basic sight words with a constant time delay procedure to four secondary students with moderate/severe disabilities are compared. Results show that, while both modes of delivery are effective, teacher instruction was slightly more efficient than peer tutor…

A study assessed effects of a self-instructional package on complex problem-solving skills by three adults with intellectual disabilities. Problem situations were embedded in the participants' daily routines that consisted of multiple task sequences. The training package was effective in producing generalized, complex correct problem solving in…

Three-year-old children (n=41) with mild learning problems and 41 typical children were given a battery consisting of seven simple cognitive tasks shown to contribute toward the differentiation of children with and without mild learning problems. Picture identification, oppositional concepts, identity discrimination, and semantic…

A study investigated generalization effects of script-based intervention in increasing semantic relation skills among four Korean preschoolers with language disorders. The script-based intervention was effective at increasing all participants' use of semantic relation skills and generalizing the acquired semantic relation skills across non-trained…

A study involving three students (ages 7-9) with severe disabilities found they were academically engaged during a significantly higher number of intervals when a paraprofessional was positioned close to the student. Students and paraprofessionals were more likely to be verbally interactive than physically when the student was actively…

A study explored the perceptions of 12 administrators and policy makers, 13 family members, 12 friends, and 9 adults with challenging behavior and mental retardation and/or autism, 7 researchers, and 13 teachers regarding current behavioral information and dissemination. Results indicate a continued gap between research and practice. (Contains…

This position statement of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities outlines federal regulations governing the transfer of legal rights to students with disabilities at the state-mandated age of majority. It discusses the importance of informed consent, self-determination and student…

A study of eight students with moderate to severe disabilities investigated the nature of their involvement in transition planning during their final year of high school. Teachers and parents made little investment in preparing students for their transition planning meetings, and none were active participants with designated roles. (Contains…

A survey investigated aging in 37 men and 28 women with mental retardation in three age groups: 40-49, 50-59, and 60+ living in group homes and apartments in Israel. Results indicate declines as early as age 40 in physical health. The most common ailment is diabetes, followed by weight problems. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study compared resources and supports expressed as being available and in need of change among 39 Swedish teachers with pupils in integrated and segregated school environments in relation to inclusion. Regardless of educational setting, teachers perceived strong needs for regular and ongoing inservice training and access to university courses.…