Group reinforcement procedures were effective in increasing on-task and rule-following behavior of a third-grade class of 52 students that included four behavior problem students referred to special education. Intervention included the teachers setting a class goal and the class selecting a group activity for meeting the goal. (CL)

A taxonomy of visual attention influencing devices for mentally retarded children is presented. Five studies involving educable mentally retarded students (primary-middle school) are discussed which identified motion, verbal pointers, arrows, and spatial location as the most effective attention influencing devices. Results had implications for…

A model for evaluating special education programs is presented and applied to a microcomputer management and instruction program. The five stages of the model are developing the evaluation model, collecting the evaluation information, analyzing the data, writing and presenting the report, and applying the evaluation findings. (CL)

A private psychiatric hospital program is described which cooperates with referring probation officers to develop socially appropriate reactions in learning disabled delinquents by confronting them with their negative behaviors. A case study involving systematic reinforcement, social skills training, and cognitive restructuring in a token economy…

Information about early intervention was disseminated via mass media and group meetings. Findings revealed that parents attending group meetings learned specific information about available services and legal educational rights. Mass media stimulated requests for information but did not measurably affect parents' knowledge of early intervention.…

Materials to promote social/emotional learning skills were tested with 80 hearing impaired elementary children. Assessment of others' emotions, perceptions of others' general character and personality traits, and of one's own affective reactions to various types of portrayed behavior helped students and teachers explore their affective reactions.…

The study found no relationship between improved social behavior in a group of juveniles residing at a county shelter care facility and decreased frequency and duration of disruptions above 85 decibels. Subjects did reduce noise levels when stereo listening was made contingent on reduced noise. (Author/DB)

Three qualitative research methodologies (ethnography, microethnography, and ethology) are contrasted according to their disciplinary origins, methods for data collection and analysis, and use of audiovisual technology. Studies that exemplify the special education applications of these methodologies are summarized. (Author)

Five different levels of instructional videodisc and microcomputer configurations are described and discussed in relation to needs and resources of the special education program. Principles of effective instruction should be applied to the development and utilization of videodisc technology.(Author/DB)

The development and validation of a series of math and science instructional videodiscs intended for regular and remedial high school students is detailed. Development stressed the principles of effective instruction. Validation emphasized field testing and revision cycles to ensure consistent student mastery. (Author/DB)

Two case studies of an eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy with initially very poor reading achievement are used to illustrate the successful use of a parent-conducted remedial reading program. The program included parent training in behavior management, a systematic curriculum, extrinsic rewards, frequent feedback, and massed practice.…

Two studies of 300 elementary schools in 52 California school districts (all schools had computers for instructional use) found that two-thirds allowed learning handicapped (LH) students access, that only half provided computer instruction to LH students, but that the more microcomputers a school had the more access LH students had. (Author/DB)

Four third-grade male students with behavior problems were given tutoring sessions by sixth-grade tutors either contingent on or not contingent on classroom on task behavior. Contingent tutoring always produced improved on-task behavior, while noncontingent tutoring did not, suggesting that tutoring was an effective reinforcer. (Author/DB)

The use of easily constructed microswitches can offer severely disabled students active involvement in learning and increased interactions with and control over their environment. Microswitches help meet special needs imposed by the disability; common academic, social, and entertainment needs; and teacher/therapist needs for self-monitoring,…

The development of computer-assisted and computer-managed instruction for handicapped students involves a number of instructional design issues requiring research. Discussed are algorithmic and heuristic procedures, individual rate of learning, feedback, and instructional task hierarchies.(Author/DB)