Mainstreaming Students with Learning Disabilities: Are We Making Progress?

Abstract

This study investigated placement practices for students with learning disabilities over the past 11 years, as reported in the Annual Reports to Congress on the Implementation of P.L. 94–142. From 1979 to 1989, the placement rate for students with learning disabilities being educated in restrictive, separate-class settings almost doubled. Moreover, the proportion of all students with learning disabilities served in separate-class settings increased 4.4%. Little progress is being made toward mainstreaming students with learning disabilities. The article discusses implications of these findings for reform in the provision of special education services.