[The Regular Special Education Initiative.]

Overview & Synopsis

The presentation of Patricia McGill Smith of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services reviews recent activities of this office to improve educational services for the disabled. Among topics covered are the Regular Education Initiative and research activities concerned with the regular education setting as the primary context of instructional change. Recently funded studies concern enhancing instructional program options, increasing teaching and learning efficiency, educating learning disabled and mildly handicapped students in general education classrooms, and use of school building models for educating students with handicaps in general education settings. Also explained is a currently funded research synthesis project titled: Synthesis on Research in Educating Children with Handicaps in the General Education Setting. The proposed Center for Educating Students with Handicaps in Regular Education Settings is described. Finally, other activities related to the Regular Education Initiative and future directions are briefly considered. (DB)