This survey of 27 state departments of special education investigated standards and guidelines on behavioral procedures current in 1994 and compared them with 1989 survey results. Types of behavioral procedures, including prohibited/restricted procedures, were identified, and monitoring activities were described. In 1994, more states had standards…

Reviews alternative ways to establish goals for early intervention for children with disabilities, based on ecological theory. The ecological foundations of early intervention are discussed and an overview of sampling tactics and dimensions is presented. Recommendations are made for using planned activities for intervention design. (CR)

A review of 19 investigations of inclusive educational programs, practices, and outcomes for students with severe disabilities groups the research into five categories: (1) parents' attitudes toward educational placement; (2) issues and practices; (3) costs; (4) educational achievement outcomes; and (5) social outcomes. Six themes were identified…

Four researchers (Gersten, Vaughn, Jenkins, and Downing) respond to a review in the same issue by Hunt and Goetz entitled "Research on Inclusive Educational Programs, Practices, and Outcomes for Students with Severe Disabilities." Respondents generally support the review, but raise concerns about placement of students with severe disabilities…

Curricular articles (N=785) pertaining to students with severe disabilities published from 1976 to 1995 in six special education periodicals were examined to identify trends. Curricular articles increased in number during the first decade but steadily declined in the second. Articles on functional life skills training have declined, whereas…

Five special educators (Michael F. Giangreco, Martha E. Snell, Carolyn Hughes, Asha Jitendra, and Sandra Alper) respond to a review in the same issue by John Nietupski and others entitled "A Review of Curricular Research in Severe Disabilities From 1976 to 1995 in Six Selected Journals." Each respondent raises additional aspects of curriculum for…

A review of the research on designing instruction for students with significant disabilities identifies valid questions and the conclusions derived from these questions that focus on additional research needs. The questions are organized around three concerns: (1) the role of instructional materials; (2) ways to motivate students to learn; and (3)…

Three special educators (Brown, McDonnell, and Billingsley) respond to a review in the same issue by Wolery and Schuster. The first urges a paradigm shift in researching these issues, the second urges more study on the complexities of providing individualized instruction in the regular classroom, and the third stresses the need to examine effects…

Two major advances in the provision of behavioral support to students with severe disabilities include: (1) procedures for conducting functional assessment, and (2) design of comprehensive interventions. The research foundation for these advances, implications for clinicians, and future research directions are presented. (Author/DB)

Five special educators (Durand, Bambara, Dunlap, Kennedy, and Wacker) respond to an article in the same issue by Horner and Carr entitled "Behavioral Support for Students with Severe Disabilities: Functional Assessment and Comprehensive Intervention." Respondents raise concerns regarding the range of intervention options, the behavioral support…

Summarizes progress made in meeting the communication needs of individuals with severe disabilities. Evidence is presented that supports best practices in the selection of: communicative functions, communicative modes and symbols, and instructional formats. The importance of social motivations for behavior and use of advances in augmentative…

Two special educators comment on an article in the same issue by Joe Reichle entitled "Communication Intervention with Persons Who Have Several Disabilities." Siegel-Causey stresses the implications of advances in augmentative and alternative communication and training for broader use of existing communication skills. Mirenda supports combining…

Urges more communication between practitioners and researchers in the field of severe disabilities. Describes the practical implications of current research in determining what, where, and how to teach students with severe disabilities. Questions for future research with direct impact on these students' classroom experiences are raised, including…

This article describes factors found in mainstream schools in the United Kingdom where pupils with emotional and behavioral difficulties are successfully included. The article discusses these factors and draws on studies in the USA, England, and Scotland before offering implications for the development of inclusive practice in schools. (Contains…

A study explored 40 Mexican teachers' perceptions and attributions about student behavior and management strategies they use in their primary classrooms. Teachers' preferred management strategies were talking with parents and increasing positive reinforcements to increase/maintain appropriate student behavior. They used talking with students and…