This discussion of the developmental underpinnings of self-determination for students with disabilities considers metacognition, self-perception, social problem solving, and autonomous decision making. It urges developing school policies contributing to self-sufficiency; ameliorating curricular, instructional, and service delivery systems…

A review of the literature examines three emerging trends related to the impact of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children with disabilities: (1) the prescription of appropriate AAC devices; (2) implementation of AAC across multiple contexts; and (3) maintenance of AAC use and anticipation of transition needs. The importance…

Respondents (n=401) to a national survey of general education teachers identified specific testing adaptations seen to be either helpful for students with disabilities or easy to make. Two-thirds of respondents indicated that it was not fair to make testing adaptations only for students with disabilities, whereas one-third indicated that this was…

Two studies compared the inclusion only, pull-out only, and combined services models for elementary students with mild disabilities, using a survey of 80 teachers and comparison of reading improvement in 240 students in the 3 models. Teacher satisfaction and student progress in reading were significantly greater for the combined services model.…

Comparison of 150 children (white, black, and Hispanic) in grades 2 through 4 who had been recommended for prereferral intervention found that white children evidenced significantly higher verbal IQs and reaching achievement scores, black children had a higher incidence of behavior problems than Hispanic children, and behavior problems were more…

Teachers with (n=135) and without (n=185) experience coteaching in elementary classrooms that included students with mild disabilities were surveyed. Special education teachers in inclusive settings held the most positive views of inclusion, with regular teachers in inclusive classrooms reporting similar views. Regular teachers in traditional…

Responses from 1,430 elementary teachers to a mail survey found that most had at least 1 student with a disability, that teachers of students with disabilities reported a greater need for most resources and supports, and that teachers with students they rated as more severely disabled were more likely to report needing additional…

This article describes a university program in China for teenage students highly gifted in science. It reports on the program's initiation, improvement, and expansion to 12 additional universities. Also covered are methods employed in student selection, the curriculum, program administration, and student development. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of two meta-analyses of sociometric research on children with learning disabilities notes differences in their findings. Differences are attributed to effects of gender, ethnicity, and type of measurement on effect size; inadequate reporting of coding reliability; failure to include similar articles for analysis; and poor…

A study examined the provision of programs in physical education (PE) for three students with special education needs in an Australian elementary school. The model of subject matter, access, and personnel within a supportive school curriculum framework in the provision of PE operated differently for each student. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study examined the behavior of 8 Israeli children (ages 2-4) with developmental disabilities and maladaptive behavior who were exposed to direct lighting with unshielded standard fluorescent lamps vs. indirect diffuse full spectrum fluorescent lamps. The duration of adaptive behaviors was significantly higher under the indirect lighting.…

This article discusses shifting from special education to inclusive, outcomes-based education (OBE) in South Africa. It examines why there is a shift toward OBE, different educational paradigms, and shifting from fundamental pedagogy to OBE. Necessary changes are highlighted, and include a shift from classification to using OBE for progression and…

A study investigated the differing interactional patterns of 1197 Australian preservice teachers with people with disabilities. Results indicate that even though preservice teachers reported being fearful and concerned about their own vulnerability, these concerns did not appear to cause them excess discomfort in their contact with people with…

This article describes the Beijing Xingxing Yu Education Institute for Children with Autism. Growing and changing throughout the seven years since it opened, it is now an educational center that has served almost 1000 children with autism and their parents from all over China. The center focuses on training parents. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article reviews the book "Helping Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families: Mexican and U.S. Perspectives," edited by Todd V. Fletcher and Candace S. Bos (1999). An interview with Todd V. Fletcher is presented in which he discusses the importance of U.S. understanding and collaboration with Mexico. (CR)