Twenty-five school administrators were surveyed concerning their experiences and opinions regarding the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on provisions for special needs students. Administrators felt that the charter has expanded the rights of students and parents, with a moderate to profound influence. Change was most…

Thirty-four children (ages 5-16) born to alcoholic mothers were assessed on measures of intelligence, reading, receptive vocabulary, memory for sentences, visual memory, and visual-motor integration. The children were found to be least deficient on intellectual measures and most deficient on memory for sentences and silent and oral readings.…

This article discusses how current theories of learning and memory can guide the application of integrated media (IM) to embellish a standard curriculum; considers theoretical reasons for "breaking the mold"; and offers examples of IM-based alternatives to curricula in the areas of adult literacy, language arts, social studies, language skills,…

This 3-year longitudinal study used hypermedia computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to provide individualized reading instruction for approximately 300 students in grades K-3. The software provided reading lessons in a hypermedia format designed as supplementary material for a basal reader series. The low ability subjects achieved significantly…

A Delphi study identified research questions to guide the study of interactive multimedia in special education. Analysis showed that respondents were most frequently concerned about design issues affecting the efficacy of educational interactive media. These issues focused on instructional strategies, the multimedia environment, navigational…

This paper first examines specific challenges faced by learners using integrated media, including the cognitive challenges of navigation and focused attention. The paper then examines pedagogical opportunities of integrated media in the following areas: (1) developing vocabulary and reading comprehension; (2) anchoring instruction in meaningful…

This case study documents the successful use of a cognitive development-based instructional protocol to teach automatic linear scanning for computer access to a young child with severe physical and communication disabilities (cerebral palsy). The instructional program is discussed in terms of cognitive/developmental theory, educational…

Expert systems technology was applied to placement decisions of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The application involved developing a model of how experts make placement decisions. The decisions of the expert system were found to agree with those of a majority of teachers in 90% of the cases. (DB)

This article examines software development techniques used by special educators through the perspective of the software life cycle. The paper argues that traditional programming techniques are becoming less and less feasible for software development within the typical funding levels and timelines of federal initiatives. More use of commercial…

This response to Woodward and Noell (EC 607 857) notes the heavy investment of time required to develop educational software and specifically addresses concerns about computer-assisted instruction which does not incorporate computer-managed instruction; the supposedly "unique" needs of students with disabilities; and current technological…

A survey of 50 local education authorities in England and Wales found that support and training available to governing bodies of mainstream schools in the area of special educational needs are minimal or nonexistent, that governing bodies and governors are confused about their role in this area, and that school policymaking was left to teaching…

This paper summarizes a British study which examined the opportunities available for pupils with special educational needs and low attainment to gain examination qualifications at Key Stage 4 for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Findings are discussed in terms of access to courses, changes in patterns of student placement,…

England's Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) was established as a government department independent of the Department for Education to inspect schools and improve standards of achievement. This article describes the training for the team members who will inspect special schools and recent findings from inspections of special schools. (JDD)

This article examines why pupils' perspectives should be considered in development of residential school services and explains how pupils' perspectives can be accessed. Findings from a study of two British residential schools for boys with emotional and behavioral disorders found that the elements of schooling most valued by students were respite,…

England's "Draft Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs" presents a five-stage assessment procedure. The five stages range from the class or subject teacher identifying a student's needs and consulting the Special Educational Needs coordinator, to the local education authority making a statement of…