Mainstreaming or Mainlining

This study identified the social skill competencies a mainstreamed student should possess in order to function successfully in the regular classroom. Regular and special elementary level educators completed a 36-item questionnaire that asked them to rate their perception as to whether or not a specific social skill was critical for success in the mainstream setting. Based upon the results of this study, three general social skill areas and 15 competencies were identified. Differences between regular and special educators and primary and intermediate level teachers were identified.