PROGRAM DESIGN FOR STUDENTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION

The Board of Directors of the Division on Mental Retardation and Devel opmental Disabilities (MRDD) have approved a position statement on pro gram design for students with mental retardation. The position holds t hat programs for students with mental retardation, including placement decisions and curricular choices, should be determined based on the i ndividual needs of students and not by philosophical considerations. W hile more and more students with mental retardation are appropriately being integrated. into regular classroom settings and provided access to the regular curriculum, some students may need continued specialize d programs such as community-based instruction and functional curricul a. The position of the Board is simply that students' need drive progr ams, not philosophy or other concerns. Programs that are appropriate f or individual students should be the goal of special educators, not th e implementation of a philosophical orientation that might not result in appropriate services for some students.