Mainstreaming Special Needs Children Into Open Settings.

Overview & Synopsis

Compared are principles of open education and special education, and described are six programs in which handicapped children are being successfully mainstreamed into open education situations. Briefly described is the philosophy of open education, listed are 29 assumptions about children's learning or knowledge, and examined is the philosophy of special education. The following open and special education themes are considered: instruction, provisioning, diagnosis, evaluation, humaneness, seeking, self-perception, and assumptions. Other aspects discussed include the teacher-student relationship and physical space. Briefly described are six programs providing open education services to such children as the severely retarded, emotionally disturbed, disadvantaged, and learning disabled. Results of one program evaluation are given in terms of the children, the teachers, and the techniques. (DB)