Recommendations are offered to parents who wish to ensure an appropriate school placement for a deaf or hard of hearing child. A table lists 30 recommended standards to facilitate full inclusion and the associated actions that parents can take to ensure compliance with these standards. (DB)

Describes the case of Hartmann v. Loudoun County Board of Education, a case that was the first inclusion litigation that involved a student with autism who presented significant behavioral challenges. The court's decision upholding the student's placement in a special program is explored. (CR)

Discusses the failure of schools to prepare students with disabilities, their peers, the faculty, or the environment before placing a student with a disability in the general-education classroom. Components of a quality program for students with disabilities are described, including an appropriate curriculum and specific successful classroom…

Examines the rationale for implementing a "responsible inclusion" model for students with emotional/behavioral disorders, and discusses critical components for such a program's development. A checklist of supports is presented, along with a process chart for depicting levels of commitment toward responsible inclusion. (CR)

A survey of nine special educators and nine general educators in three Texas schools found that inclusion for students with emotional/behavioral disorders was being implemented due to administrative impetus and was not carefully planned, and that both special- and general-education teachers believe they need training related to inclusion and…

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…

Discusses problems with the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education and characteristics of successful inclusion programs, including real collaboration between special-education and general-education teachers, involvement of parents in the education of their children, and considering inclusion to be a process, not an event. (CR)

This survey of 336 New Mexico regular and special educators investigated their perceptions of the benefits and problems of inclusion. Results indicated skepticism and a mixed opinion about potential benefits of inclusion and an overwhelming expectation that problems would be inherent in a unified system of education. (CR)

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…

Two federal laws have been extremely important in providing rules and regulations to guide the educational placement of students with disabilities. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) created a detailed set of guidelines to ensure an appropriate education in the least restrictive setting for students who are eligible for special…