Mainstreaming in Rural Communities: An Analysis of Case Studies in Queensland Schools

Comparatively little research has focussed on the experiences of disabled children in rural communities where mainstreaming may be a matter of necessity, thus providing examples of “natural experiments” in mainstreaming. A pilot study is described in which case studies are presented of five children with disabilities who attended regular schools in isolated rural communities in Queensland; a number of factors are suggested which may be associated with the outcomes of mainstreaming for these children. Several key issues in rural mainstreaming are offered as bases for hypotheses to be examined in future research programs.