The philosophers of the Enlightenment formulated a set of new ideas and visions about access to knowledge and education for all citizens. The main discourse of modernity is linked to liberty, democracy and equality, but modernity is also an ambiguous project, characterized by an ongoing conflict between individual freedom and discipline. Modernity…

Initially, it is pointed out that adherents of a psycho-medical perspective often suggest exclusive solutions to special educational dilemmas and that such theorizing has been heavily attacked in past decades. However, it is argued that opposition of the psycho-medical understanding of special education runs the risk of blurring differences…

This article discusses critical issues related to conducting high-quality intervention research using experimental and quasi-experimental group designs. The importance of defining the nature of the independent variable, the value of measuring implementation, and the improvement of the quality of quasi-experiments are among the controversial topics…

A study investigated behaviors, interactions, and learning outcomes of 22 children with learning disabilities who participated in structured and unstructured group activities. Children in the structured groups were more involved in group activities, provided more directions and help to others, and obtained a significantly higher performance on a…

The oral reading of 65 first-graders experiencing difficulties in beginning reading was observed during primary reading instructional time. Findings indicate most instruction for struggling readers was not aligned with recent research on preventing reading difficulties, and even struggling readers receiving reading instruction aligned with best…

This study indicates dramatic increases in the number of states using data from students with disabilities on school participation, exit, and achievement in their accountability systems and in the number of states with guidelines on the use of assessment accommodations. States seem to have changed little in knowledge about student participation…

This article discusses provision of special education services in Botswana, mainstreaming students with disabilities, early childhood education of children with disabilities, teacher training services, teaching styles, and rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Botswana. The nine principles of the National Policy on Care for People with…

A study examined peer relationships that developed between three males with disabilities and their peers during kindergarten/Grade 1 and during upper elementary grades. Children with disabilities were selected as playmates during both time periods and some play activities and social behaviors were similar to those of typical peers. (Contains…

Thirty-three middle school students with disabilities were assigned to experimental and control groups. Students trained to identify and generate main idea statements using main idea strategy instruction and a self-monitoring procedure showed increased reading comprehension and outperformed others on posttest and delayed posttest items requiring…

A study examined the reliability and validity of curriculum-based measurement indicators in written expression for 112 middle school students. The most reliable and valid predictor of student writing proficiency as measured by both teacher ratings and a district writing test was correct minus incorrect word sequences. (Contains references.)…

Examination of participation and accommodation policies of all states revealed that in most states the Individualized Education Program team is central in deciding the participation of students with disabilities in state assessments. Testing accommodations are commonly allowed, although there is considerable variability. States generally offer…

A study examined the technical adequacy of curriculum-based measurement for assessing growth in 43 second-graders whose reading performance was measured monthly over the school year with the maze task. Results showed that the maze task had good alternate-form reliability, sensitively reflected improvement of student performance, and revealed…

This article analyzes changes in Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements under the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, implementation issues, and implications for FAPE (free and appropriate education) requirements. It suggests that, although these new requirements create increased opportunities for…

This paper reviews the 45 due process hearings and court cases between 1993 and 1998 concerning parental requests for school districts to provide and/or fund the Lovaas treatment program for their young children with autism. It reviews previous legislative and legal definitions of a free appropriate public education and considers implications of…

This article analyzes the 1999 Supreme Court decision, Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F., which affirmed the school district's responsibility to provide medical services to a student with disabilities. It traces the legal history of the issue, examines lines of case law underlying the decision, and discusses the likely…