The history of the least restrictive environment concept is reviewed as it relates to students with severe disabilities (moderate, severe, or profound retardation; autism; multiple disabilities; or deaf-blindness). Stages in the evolutionary process and future prospects are analyzed, with attention to physical, functional, and social inclusion.…

Describes the needs of minority children with disabilities and two peer-tutoring programs, Classwide Peer Tutoring and Classwide Student Tutoring Teams, that have been used effectively to promote the academic and social integration of minority children with disabilities into general-education settings. (Author/CR)

Reviews effective inclusive teaching techniques, including multilevel instruction, activity-based and experiential learning, student-directed learning and self-determination, cooperative learning and peer collaboration, multiaged classrooms and heterogeneous grouping, individualized and adaptive instruction, teaching as facilitating student…

Examines the legal basis for inclusion and presents four federal circuit court decisions that have addressed school districts' responsibilities to include students with disabilities in regular education classrooms. Recommendations are offered for educators and school administrators to follow to determine the least restrictive environment for…

This article reviews research supporting the impact of differentiated instruction on both the social and academic performance of students. It proposes that the school curriculum, the general curriculum, and the individualized curriculum constitute the most critical social context for the behavior of students with emotional and behavior disorders.…

This article discusses how special education reform movements continue to influence school practices regarding special education placement decisions and offers recommendations for promoting academic educational benefit for included students with mild disabilities. Schools are urged to make responsible decisions regarding inclusion by developing…

This article briefly reviews the literature on the efficacy of both differential placements and inclusion for students with disabilities. It urges better coordination in research evaluating school programs and those evaluating post-school outcomes. It also urges agreed-on definitions of service models and standards for identification and placement…

Discussion of assistive technology for students with learning disabilities in general education classrooms first reviews computer supports for writing including talking word processors, word prediction software, portable note-taking devices, prewriting organizers, multimedia prewriting prompts, and editing/publishing software. It then considers…