Facilitating Mainstreaming by Modifying the Mainstream

Research has shown that mainstreaming for students with mild handicaps can be successful, if regular classroom teachers are able to modify or adapt their instruction to meet a wide range of students' needs. However, most teachers feel that it is difficult for them to do this within the current structure of regular education. In this article, the authors examine some of the underlying problems in the current organizational structure of the schools that hinder regular classroom teachers from being able to adapt their instruction to meet diverse student needs and suggest a framework for finding a solution.