This article responds to a study by Gerald Biederman and others, which concluded that verbal reinforcement in combination with interactive modeling strategies may produce confusion in children with language/learning difficulties. The article contends that a functional relationship cannot be claimed for the study's variables because measurement…

This counterpoint responds to Phillip Ward's commentary on a study by Gerald Biederman and others which concluded that verbal reinforcement in combination with interactive modeling strategies may produce confusion in children with language/learning difficulties. The counterpoint argues that the commentary indicates problems with semantics and with…

This commentary, on a study by T. Hollowood and others on inclusive education for students with severe disabilities, emphasizes that the research conditions should be clearly understood by readers of the study. The commentary calls for research on learner outcomes, training and qualifications of aides in inclusive education, and relative costs of…

Professionals (n=139) in habilitation teams and parents (n=73) of children with disabilities in Sweden were surveyed concerning early intervention services. The survey revealed discrepancies between current and ideal practices in parent involvement in child assessment decisions, assessment activities, team meetings and decision making, and…

This study compared traditional instruction (basal approach) with an interactive instructional conversation (IC) approach for enhancing the language and concept development of five Hispanic students (ages 7-9) with learning disabilities. Proximal measures indicated higher levels of discourse and greater participation with IC, whereas distal…

Thirty-seven leading educators participated in a Delphi technique survey regarding future directions in education of students with disabilities, focusing on inclusion and integration, labeling and classification, personnel preparation, instruction and services, and research. Respondents predicted that increasing inclusion will occur, and teachers…

This paper examines four court decisions felt by some authors to represent judicial activism concerning least restrictive environment for students with disabilities. The courts' reasoning and decision-making methods are discussed, and the paper concludes that there is no indication that the courts are ready to abandon precedence and begin…

This reaction to Mitchell Yell (EC 611 140) contends that a trend toward judicially ordered least restrictive environment (LRE) placements for children with disabilities has begun. School officials are urged to take a more active role in restructuring educational systems so that inclusion can become a reality. If educators do not take the lead,…

Legal and educational issues related to year-round education for handicapped individuals are discussed. It is suggested that the concept of year-round schooling is not inconsistent with the goals of mainstreaming and the need of severely handicapped individuals to have the opportunity to generalize learned skills. (Author)

The purpose of extended year programs for severely handicapped students is pointed out and factors involving eligibility, funding, and cost-effective delivery models are analyzed. (CL)

The procedural history and the implications of the Appeals' Court decision in Armstrong v Kline, in which Pennsylvania was found in violation of federal law by restricting special education services to 180 days, are discussed. (CL)

Pennsylvania's director of special education asserts that P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) is not the proper vehicle for implementing free appropriate human services to all handicapped children and their families. (Author/CL)

The author interviewed 13 specialists in eary childhood education for the handicapped as to their opinions regarding, and hopes for, the field in the next decade. These interviews are analyzed and the results presented as a series of obtainable goals for the 1980s. (Author)

The period of 1934-1950 for the Council for Exceptional Children is traced, including growth of units, improvement of the yearly convention, publication of a new journal, and development of other publications on special education. (CL)

The author points out that much of the controversy regarding mainstreaming, normalization, and the least restrictive environment stems from oversimplification and lack of knowledge of the significant historical development behind these concepts. Changes in public awareness, legislation, and pioneering efforts in educating the disabled are traced…