This study investigated the impact of two widely used commercial programs designed to increase peer understanding and acceptance of elementary school-aged handicapped students. Second, fourth, and sixth graders from six rural school districts were used in the study. The Better Understanding of Disabled Youth (BUDY) program and the Lets Meet the New Kids on the Block (KOB) program were two treatments employed to determine whether positive gains in attitudes toward the disabled could be systematically attained. Furthermore, the two programs were compared to see if one was more effective in this regard. By employing an adaptation of the Acceptance Scale (Voeltz, 1981) as both a pre-test and post-test measure, changes in student attitudes were documented on a variety of survey items. While a variety of variables were tracked, the most meaningful differences occurred between students in different grade levels. It appeared that second grade children increased their acceptance toward their peers with disabilities more positively as a result of undergoing the KOB interventions, while the older intermediate level children increased their acceptance more positively as a result of completing the BUDY interventions. Implications of findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Graduates with masters degrees in education of the visually disabled (N = 52) were queried by a mailed questionnaire about (a) their specific educational and personal characteristics, (b) their vocational behavior (c) perceptions of their preparation program, and (d) the value of their preparation in relation to their present positions. A 98 percent return showed the difference between the means for preparation and value of preparation not to be significant. However examination of the t ratios by each of seven competency areas indicated the ratings differed significantly in the following three areas: (a) techniques and methods of instruction, (b) acquisition and preparation of educational materials, and (c) general special education competency.
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