In Alaska, potential students in regions distant from on-campus programs were able to participate in a graduate level certification program maintaining the same accreditation standards as the on-campus program employing video production, audioconferencing, audio cassettes and printed materials. (Author/CL)

The article describes a management system used in a secondary resource program for exceptional students that incorporates a clinical teaching model, task analysis, and the use of management objectives to provide individualized services. Five-year evaluation data reveal increased completion of assignments, decreased teacher preparation, and a more…

An instructional model for improving reading skills of poor readers is described and progress data of mildly handicapped elementary and secondary students are reported. The approach includes curricular assessment and placement in lower levels of classroom curricula, direct instruction in deficit skills areas, data-based instruction, repeated…

The paper discusses similarities between programed instructional teaching machines and computer-assisted instruction. It describes research concerning programmed instruction and increased flexibility of computers and recommends research to integrate computers with more systematic planning, and with an emphasis on producing effective learning…

Observation of 97 teachers during group instruction of elementary students with mental retardation, severe multihandicaps, and learning disabilities and/or behavior disorders revealed that teachers made limited use of praise over criticism in managing classroom behavior. (CL)

Special education teachers and administrators from each of 17 small rural school districts (N=34) were interviewed on staff development needs. A lack of staff development activities was identified as a critical problem in such districts in New Mexico. Training in instructional technology was the most frequently mentioned inservice need. (Author/CL)

The article reviews some recent literature pertaining to development and use of expert systems (automated consulting systems, which provide expert advice within particular domains). The design and implementation of an expert system developed to guide a teacher diagnostician through the various stages of diagnosing reading difficulities are…

To determine availability of resources to help State Departments of Education develop and disseminate materials to persons seeking information about handicapped persons, 60 agencies completed questionnaires. Results indicated a modest level of joint material development and dissemination practices but high interest and capability in future…

Three mildly and moderately retarded, physically handicapped institutionalized men (17-30 years old) successfully participated in a recreation program involving adapted videogames. Doubles play fostered cooperative social interaction between players. (CL)

An official reviews Derbyshire, England's progress in implementing the 1981 special education legislation, noting such aspects as parent satisfaction, school psychological services, outreach to ordinary schools, mainstream staff's attitudes, and professional education associations. (CL)

The curriculum area, Craft, Design, and Technology, when carefully designed, can give all pupils (including special education pupils) a chance to develop problem-solving skills and confidence while doing interesting and demanding work. (CL)

The benefits of participating in biology instruction (with a stress on human biology) for physically handicapped students are noted. Risks in the laboratory are considered and balanced with the advantages of direct contact with the natural world. (CL)

Research is reviewed on the Makaton Vocabulary, a sign lexicon used with severely communicatively handicapped pupils. It is concluded that the lack of published teaching strategies tends to perpetuate an oversimplified teaching formula. (CL)

Teachers can promote learning within the mainstream classroom through organization of three aspects: (1) preparation of materials, (2) presentation of materials, and (3) teacher-pupil interaction. (CL)

An investigation of actions to promote positive attitudes to disabled pupils among their secondary peers revealed that classroom simulations of disability, lesson content, use of outside speakers, and off-site community service were employed. Problem areas are noted as well. (CL)