A meta-analysis of 20 studies (1975-1995) indicated positive effects for alternative grouping formats for teaching reading to students with disabilities compared to whole-class instruction, particularly for student pairing. In addition, analyses indicated that outcomes for students involved in cross-age tutoring varied significantly by students'…

Reflects on the motivating conditions, goals, works, and aspirations of the Juniper Gardens Children's Project (JGCP). The JGCP was established in 1964 to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty of a 10-square-mile urban area in Kansas City, Kansas, by improving developmental and educational experiences within the community. (CR)

A synthesis of 20 studies that investigated the perceptions of 4,659 elementary and secondary students (760 with disabilities) of instructional procedures in inclusive classrooms found that students with high-incidence disabilities and their typical peers want to have the same activities, books, homework, grading criteria, and grouping practices…

Discusses cases that reveal the impact of teacher expectations on the accuracy or inaccuracy of self-concepts of children with exceptionalities from minority-group backgrounds. Fifteen teacher beliefs that will benefit new and seasoned practitioners as they identify, assess, place, and instruct minority children are provided. (CR)

A study examined data from annual reports to Congress regarding placement practices for students with learning disabilities over the past six years. Results found that students with learning disabilities are being educated in increasingly less restrictive settings, although placement practices differ considerably from state to state. (Author/CR)

A study examined the practices of 121 school-based intervention teams from Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Findings revealed several positive practices by teams from all states; however, teams from Illinois displayed consistent superiority across several measures. Discussion focuses on implications for practice and educational and legal reform.…

A study explored the perceptions of 14 teachers on the meaning of curricular individualization for preschool through primary-aged students with severe mental retardation. Findings indicate individualizing practices may stem from two disparate sources of understanding: institutional or local. Instructional opportunities made available to children…

A study examined the impact of functional assessment interventions on appropriate and challenging behaviors of 75 typical children (ages 3-6), 60 children at-risk, and 75 children with special needs. Functional assessment procedures resulted in a decrease in challenging behavior and nonengagement and an increase in active engagement and peer…

Findings from a collaborative action research project involving seven culturally diverse families with children with disabilities are used to illustrate how professionals can provide assistance in a family's zone of proximal development, rather than targeting goals that are normative for the mainstream, but not for the family. (Author/CR)

A comparison between performance-based DISCOVER (Discovering Intellectual Strengths and Capabilities through Observation while allowing for Varied Ethnic Responses) assessment reports and two independent ratings in appraising 24 kindergartners' multiple intelligences through specific activities found that when intelligences were assessed through…

Reviews the legal basis for the mandatory consideration of supplementary aids and services for enabling children with disabilities to be educated in the regular classroom and presents a four-step approach for teams to use in determining supplementary aids and services for children with disabilities. (Author/CR)

Defines alternate assessments, describes methods used to collect data, and describes domains in which data should be collected. The results of a focus group study in which teachers delineated ways in which data might be collected using each of the methods in each of the domains is reported. (Author/CR)

A study examined the ability of 56 children with learning problems and 56 typical children to resolve the social problems of whether to share limited resources with a peer. Only 15% of the dyads of children with learning problems shared, compared to 58% of typical children. (CR)

A survey of 1,576 Florida special-education teachers examined factors that contribute to their propensity to leave or stay in the special education classroom or transfer to a new school. Teachers left special education teaching primarily due to insufficient certification, perceptions of high stress, and perceptions of poor school climate.…

A national study involving 59 teachers instructing students with physical and health disabilities, 26 universities, 36 local school system directors, and 29 state departments of education, found over 40% of the teachers did not feel well trained in half of the competencies. Concerns regarding the effects of generic teacher certification are…