We would describe teaching literacy through braille as one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of the role of a Qualified Teacher for the Visually Impaired (QTVI). This article focuses on teaching literacy through braille in mainstream settings whilst promoting inclusion and meeting the social-emotional needs of children who use braille.…

This article explores the complex process of school change over a six-year period in one high-poverty, urban elementary school in a northeastern city of the United States. The school included in this instrumental case study was identified by its State Department of Education as "being in need of improvement" in March 2000. Findings suggest that…

This study examines whether participation in a 13-week undergraduate inclusive education course covaried with an improvement in the self-efficacy of preservice elementary education teachers. We sought to determine whether self-efficacy was influenced differentially by the type of field-based placement experienced by students in the course. The…

The performance of 25 children with Down syndrome (DS) on delay of gratification tasks was compared with that of mental age-matched typically developing children. DS children were significantly less able to delay gratification on two of the three tasks. Results raise questions about using mental age as the method for matching children with DS and…

This article reviews findings from research and practice in school reform, with a special focus on literacy outcomes in schools with students at risk. It describes videotape excerpts that illustrate the "Getting Results Model." This model involves four key change factors: goals, indicators, assistance from others, and leadership. (Contains…

In a quantitative content analysis, 128 repots written by German special education teachers about children (ages 7-11) with learning disabilities were analyzed. A cluster analysis of the 34 most frequent statements led to five clusters that differed clearly. No significant correlation between the children's characteristics and membership of a…

A comparison is made between a new technique (the Handle Technique), Integrated Picture Cueing, and a Word Alone Method. Results show using a new combination of teaching strategies enabled logographic symbols to be used effectively in teaching word recognition to 12 children with severe learning difficulties. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study examined use of a problem-solving intervention to teach classroom skills to a student with moderate intellectual disabilities. The student was taught targeted skills in a resource room and was able to successfully generalize the skills to regular classrooms. Teachers indicated the student's behavior significantly improved during the…

A study of nine teachers in inclusive elementary classrooms found that teachers who see themselves as responsible for the achievement of all their students interacted with all students more frequently and at higher levels of cognitive engagement. Students in the classrooms of these teachers had higher self-concept scores. (Contains references.)…

Four children with cerebral visual impairment caused by periventricular leukomalacia were followed for two years during their process of learning to read in mainstream classes. Two of the children were offered both Braille and print reading as reading media. The other two children read ordinary print without special teaching. Differences in…

A study explored Palestinian teachers' (n=90) opinions on inclusion in primary schools. Fifty-four believed that students with disabilities and special needs should have an opportunity to attend public schools. Eighty-one expressed a need for change in the public schools in order to meet the needs of students with disabilities. (Contains…

This article describes an innovative action research project based at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom that involved the professional development of teachers and instruction using specially developed Moon tactile code materials to teach literacy to pupils who are blind and who have additional disabilities. (Contains references.)…

In this study, mother-child storybook reading was explored as a context within which to support early symbolic communication of four girls (ages 3-7) with Rett syndrome. Access to communication symbols, assistive technologies, and parent training consistently enhanced children's frequency of labeling/commenting and appropriate symbolic…

A survey of 130 Australian primary education teachers found that most were confident of their ability to manage classroom behavior but needed support in dealing with distractibility and were concerned about aggressive behavior. Less confident teachers expressed higher levels of concern about aggression, distractibility, and disobedience. (Contains…

A group of 36 children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) were compared with 36 typical children matched on age, gender, and verbal IQ. Both a competence-importance discrepancy and social support/positive regard construct were significant predictors of self-worth for controls; however, for those with DCD, only the competence-important…