This practical guide for including students with special needs is divided into three main sections. The first section provides fundamental background knowledge of the field of special education and current knowledge of how students with disabilities are served within inclusive school environments. Chapter 1 presents a brief history of services to students with disabilities, and chapter 2 introduces the people who specialize in working with students with disabilities. In chapter 3, the principles of collaboration and the school situations in which professionals are most likely to collaborate for the benefit of disabled students are described. In the second section, the characteristics of students with disabilities and other special needs are described. Chapters 4 and 5 concentrate on disabilities with a low incidence and high incidence respectively, and chapter 6 describes students who are not necessarily eligible for special education but who have special needs and can benefit from strategies similar to those that benefit students with disabilities. In the third section, instructional approaches are presented that emphasize teaching students effectively, regardless of disability or special need. Chapter 7 discusses the relationship between classroom environment and the diverse needs of learners. Chapter 8 explores both formal and informal assessment strategies that will help teachers contribute to decision making processes for students with special needs. Chapter 9 provides strategies and practices for basic-skills and content-area instruction, and chapter 10 focuses on ways to help all students become more independent learners. Chapter 11 presents ways to evaluate students to be sure that the information gathered is helpful in instruction, and chapter 12 deals with management of group and individual behavior. Chapter 13 explores ways to build positive relations among students. A glossary is provided, and there is a list of features for quick reference. (Contains numerous references.) (SLD)