This article reviews current research on pupils' perceptions of others' difficulties in learning. It focuses on children's perceptions about other people; children as "na ve biologists" attempting to explain growth and development in others; and children's responses to and use of cues based on achievement and ideas about ability. (Contains…

A study explored the patterns of friendship among 14 teenagers with Down syndrome attending mainstream schools or resourced provision in mainstream schools. Students had very firm notions about the nature of friendship; however the friendship they envisaged did not always materialize due in part to geographical, practical, and safety concerns.…

A study investigated the impact of in-service training on the use of assertive discipline in a school for pupils with emotional/behavioral difficulties. Results indicate improved rates in on-task behavior and reduced numbers of disruptive incidences. Changes in pupil behavior mirrored an increase in teachers' use of positive feedback and praise.…

A four-year investigation of 200 British children with language impairments found that they performed all of the British National Curriculum's Key Stage 2 assessments poorly. After full-time placement in language units at 7, 171 of the children were found to continue education in a variety of placements with provision for special education needs…

This article discusses a partnership among professionals in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Hungary to construct a useful learning tool for adults with learning difficulties. It describes development of the training needs scale that includes units in three main educational areas: social work skills, new technologies, and European…

Written by a British parent, this case study tells the story of an adopted child who experienced many difficulties adjusting to life at home and school. It describes attachment disorder, possible causes of attachment difficulties, the bonding cycle, therapeutic parenting, and how schools can support the re-nurturing process. (Contains references.)…

A study compared scores on the Developmental Diagnostic Profile for 68 children with emotional/behavioral difficulties on entry to a nurture group, on exit, and after two years of mainstreaming. Emotional/behavioral difficulties were significantly reduced upon exit. Current data reveal that in 16 of 20 sub-strands, improvement has been primarily…

A survey of 34 special education directors in large school districts that concerned how current education reforms are applied to children with disabilities examined academic content standards, assessments, and graduation and diplomas. Results indicate students with disabilities are differentially considered within specific reform policies and a…

This article examines requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997) regarding participation of students with disabilities in state- and district-wide assessments and access to the general curriculum. It considers implications for change in school district procedures concerning evaluation and reevaluation, Individualized…

Evaluation of out-of-district special education placement costs in the 15 largest Massachusetts public school districts found the criterion school district (which had developed a system-wide approach to behavioral intervention) had the lowest per capita cost, lowest percentage of total school budget consumed by out-of-district placements, and the…

A survey of 121 families who were home schooling children with special needs found family profiles were similar to the general home schooling population and, unlike the general home schooling population, children often spent as much time in a school setting as in a home school environment. Four case studies identified themes as needs-based…

This brief article notes a trend toward more reactive school administration practices in response to increased regulatory requirements and identifies problems encountered by special education administrators contributing to this reactive approach. It reports on one school district's proactive development of a "Unified Support Services Process and…

A survey of 488 postsecondary service providers to students with disabilities found respondents valued and reported knowledge of assistive technology (AT) by themselves and faculty. Costs of technology and upgrades were perceived as the greatest barriers, whereas provider expertise, student awareness/knowledge of AT, and administration support…

Interviews with 15 Kentucky professionals providing assistive technology (AT) services for young children with disabilities found contradictions, including frequent espousal of teaming as important in service delivery but less frequent implementation; family members not seen as important members of teams, but client goals rated as extremely…

This article presents principles for using Web-based activities to support curriculum accommodations for students with mild disabilities. Tools, resources, and strategies are identified to help teachers construct meaningful and Web-enhanced thematic units. Web sites are listed in the areas of math, science, language arts, and social studies;…