Inclusion is a way of thinking--a deeply held belief that all children, regardless of ability or disability, are valued members of the school and classroom community. Inclusive classrooms are places where all students "are integral members of classrooms, feel a connection to their peers, have access to rigorous and meaningful general education…

Students are coming to schools with increasingly diverse academic, social, and emotional needs. Meeting each child's social and behavioral needs can be challenging and overwhelming, especially in the era of high-stakes testing. No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA) mandate the…

The article describes how a teacher used cooperative learning groups to aid in the integration of a severely handicapped eight-year-old child into a regular first grade classrooms. The planning stage, the eight implementation steps, and evaluation results (increased interactions between the child and peers) are outlined. (DB)

The case study describes how the positive behavior changes of a mainstreamed second grader with severe emotional problems made similarly positive changes in the attitudes and actions of two teachers toward mainstreaming. It is proposed that positive commitments from regular class teachers toward mainstreaming can be fostered by helping them…

A seventh-grade teacher presents portraits of five academically gifted students in her regular classroom. She notes each child's personality characteristics, work habits, and areas of talent; and describes adaptations she made for them in the class. (CL)

The article describes the MAPS (Map Action Planning System) to plan for and facilitate successful placement of almost all children in regular classes. Application of the system with a severely mentally retarded child integrated into a Canadian seventh grade is reported. (DB)

This article describes challenges and solutions to the integration of children with multiple disabilities into supported regular elementary classes: (1) providing a functional curriculum in a regular class; (2) providing community-based instruction; (3) scheduling staff coverage; and (4) promoting social integration. Solutions are illustrated with…

A case study is presented of a girl (age six) with multiple disabilities including moderate to severe mental retardation who was fully included in a regular first-grade classroom. The experience indicated that students with multiple disabilities can learn to follow classroom routines, follow directions, acquire new skills, and improve their…

Describes collaborative behavioral contracting as applied to the reintegration of students with disabilities, using as an example the case of a 13-year old who had been in a self-contained program for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Covers the development of a behavior management plan, writing the collaborative behavioral…