Research-based reading interventions (peer tutoring, reciprocal teaching, effective teaching principles, computer-aided instruction, and two direct instruction models) were implemented by 37 special-education resource teachers working with 176 elementary school students with mild disabilities. The computer-assisted, reciprocal, and direct…

Competencies needed by transition specialists for youth with disabilities were validated, based on opinions of 134 specialists in vocational rehabilitation, vocational special education, and special education. Competencies rated most important to effective transition services include the ability to coordinate, communicate, and collaborate.…

The use of coaching to bring research-based teaching practices into general education classrooms to improve reading instruction for students with learning disabilities is explored. Twelve elementary teachers were trained and mentored by consultants and two special education coaches. Special and general educators conceptualized teaching differently…

Curriculum beliefs and practices were surveyed with 341 Colorado elementary and secondary special education teachers. Findings include: training in curriculum development occurs mostly on the job; teachers want training in teaching compensatory and life skills; teachers believe that individualized education plans constitute the curriculum for…

Ninety-five teachers participated in a peer collaboration process, involving structured dialogue to promote teachers' use of alternative interventions for students with learning and behavior problems. The intervention group, compared to controls, had reduced referral rates, increased confidence in handling classroom problems, increased positive…

This study assessed the effects of special education placement from the perspectives of nine high school students receiving learning disabilities services in separate classrooms. Students did not view their experiences as either socially or academically efficacious, but they valued the services to avoid an unresponsive general education system and…

This study examined strategies used by 18 general education teachers to promote positive relationships between elementary students with and without moderate to severe disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Five strategies were identified: active facilitation of social interactions, empowering children, building a sense of community, modeling…

Evidence supporting the use of a revision of the Opinions Relative to Mainstreaming scale, called Opinions Relative to Integration of Students with Disabilities, is presented. Scale testing with 376 professionals revealed satisfactory item characteristics, adequate reliability and homogeneity, and initial support for construct validity. The scale…

Predictors of participation in postsecondary education for persons with disabilities after leaving school were examined with 987 students, age 17 and older. Six predictors were validated, including high scores on a functional achievement inventory, completing instruction successfully in certain relevant curricular areas, and participating in…

Transition experts (n=149) ranked barriers to achieving social integration of individuals with disabilities and identified areas of consensus on social integration outcomes and interventions related to youths' transition from school to employment. Experts agreed that social integration is a multidimensional concept, indicating that varying…

This paper contrasts research knowledge and practice knowledge in special education; describes factors that moderate the influence of research on practice, including teacher knowledge and learning, teacher attitudes and beliefs, and context; and considers issues in reconceptualizing the relationship between research and practice in special…

This study gathered advice about integration from 53 Virginia general/special education teachers and administrators involved in integrating students with moderate/severe disabilities into general education schools/classes. The study examined teachers' and administrators' judgments about success of integration and examined their perceptions of…

Twenty elementary teachers were supported in developing curriculum-based measurement and peer-mediated instruction to serve math students with learning disabilities (LD); 10 of the teachers also used decision rules and specialized adaptations when student progress was inadequate. Teachers implemented the specialized adaptation with respectable…

Interviews with 49 adults with learning disabilities who had attended college found that most respondents adjusted well to demands of college, approximately 90% of respondents graduated from college in 5.5 years, and students typically attended more than 1 college and pursued a variety of majors. Keys and barriers to success are examined, and…

A hierarchical regression analysis featuring 35 community, family, student, and school program characteristics was used to assess prediction of employment of 2,405 students who had left special education high school programs. Personal characteristics (especially being male and having living skills and academic skills) dominated the prediction of…