Court decisions interpreting effects of Public Law 94-142 on traditional forms of public school discipline are reviewed, concluding that most forms of minor disciplinary remedies remain available to educators so long as they are also used with nonhandicapped students. However, legal problems arise with expulsion and long-term suspensions of…

Described is the "Taxonomy of Community Living Skills," a guide for curriculum developers. Experts (n=59) in mental retardation were surveyed to assess the taxonomy's coherence, appropriateness, completeness, etc. Responses to the model's five domains (personal maintenance and development, homemaking and community life, vocational, leisure, and…

Six mildly learning-handicapped young adults were observed for one year following graduation from high school. All six floundered from job to job and from class to class at a community college. They expressed discontent and frustration with their present situation, but were unable to plan realistically for the future. (Author/JDD)

Two hearing-impaired children, aged three and five, were observed in free play as they alternated between integrated and segregated settings. Results indicated that the level of cognitive play was not consistently influenced by the social setting, and that the children engaged in more socially advanced play in the integrated setting. (Author/JDD)

Preschool children (n=56) with mild/moderate handicaps were assigned to integrated or nonintegrated classes; social interaction was promoted in half the classes. Observation revealed a higher proportion of interactive play and higher language development in social interaction conditions, and higher ratings of social competence in the…

This paper analyzes the debate over the merger of special and regular education through the Regular Education Initiative. It identifies specific problems and issues, suggests strategies for overcoming perceived obstacles, and recommends more substantial involvement of students and special and regular educators at the local education agency level.…

Ten years of data reflect little change in use of separate facilities for handicapped students, and high state-to-state variation. A subsequent paper argues that least restrictive environment as a concept has focused on "location" rather than "service." A final paper addresses the need to eliminate geographic and funding restrictions to…

Using data from 28 mildly retarded high-school graduates, the economic costs and outcomes resulting from special education services were determined. Results indicated that with appropriately identified, measured, and valued costs and benefits, it is possible to employ a formal benefit-cost framework to assess the efficiency of special education…

Four studies on special education teacher training were conducted: two surveys of individual states' manpower needs, a survey of preservice special education majors, and interviews with special education faculty from five states. Results revealed conflicting perceptions of teaching competencies, mismatches between training and job expectations,…

Children (n=118) with severe/profound hearing loss were assessed on language and social skills when aged three-five years and again three-four years later. The study failed to obtain evidence of lasting gains associated with intervention during infancy, intensified programing, or direct instruction by parents. (Author/JDD)

Two mathematics curricula ("Distar Arithmetic" and "Scott Foresman Mathematics" and two arithmetic tests ("KeyMath" and the "Iowa Tests of Basic Skills" for grades one-three were examined for correspondence of content and types of learning required. A consistent lack of content correspondence was found among curricula and tests at all levels.…

Thirty children, aged 36-83 months, were interviewed to ascertain the extent of their awareness of their orthopedic disability. Parent and teacher interviews determined types and frequencies of discussions about the child's disability. Occurrence of discussions at home, but not at school, was significantly correlated with awareness. (Author/JDD)

A survey of 245 special education teacher/paraprofessional pairs found that teachers viewed clerical and supervision skills as more important than paraprofessionals' other skills. Teachers and paraprofessionals showed considerable agreement in rating the importance of skills. It appeared that paraprofessionals require different competencies…

This study examined the nature of instruction provided in 40 self-contained special classes for students classified as learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded. Few differences were identified in teacher communication patterns, learner involvement, and instructional methods for students with different categorical…

Eighty-three gifted children, aged 7-11, and their parents completed self-report instruments on personality adjustment. Intelligence was positively related to adjustment. Compared to the group as a whole, the children with higher IQs were less anxious and nervous and less likely to evidence problems in physical development, cognitive development,…