More than almost any other area of the elementary curriculum, music classes have been opportunities for integrating students with disabilities into general education settings. More than two-thirds of America's music educators have some contact with students with disabilities, and extensive research has identified educational approaches and classroom strategies for effective music mainstreaming. Unfortunately, most music educators still view themselves as unprepared to make the necessary curricular and program modifications for mainstreamed students. As a result, thousands of students with disabilities are not enjoying the full benefits of music education, and our schools are unable to realize the goals of P.L. 94-142. Through an analysis of existing knowledge in research literature. products, and expert and practitioner opinion, VSA Educational Services (in cooperation with Macro Systems, Inc.) will design an interactive videodisc program to provide in-service training for music educators on how to accommodate youth with disabilities in general elementary and middle school music classes. Our proposed project combines the greatest current opponunity to integrate children with disabilities in general education settings (music classrooms) with the most advanced instructional technology (interactive videodisc) to train a national cadre of teachers and to make the joy of music fully accessible to all children.
Keywords: Music Education, Mainstreaming, Professional Training, VideodiscSummary: The design specifications document which results from Phase I will present the rescarch findings of the Design Team and lay the groundwork for Phase II: (l) development of an interactive videodisc training program to prepare music educators to accommodate children with disabilities in their classrooms; and (2) to pursue agreement with a commercial publisher to produce and market the instructional program. Topic 4: Development or Adaptation of Innovative Technologies to Enhance Learning and Development of Children with Disabilities
