The purpose of this research was to identify social/behavioral variables that are necessary for students' success in general education. The first study included 96 elementary school students who were rated by their general education teachers as either successful or unsuccessful in the mainstream environment. The study investigated differences between the two groups on (a) demographic variables, including sex, ethnicity, grade level, and socioeconomic status; and (b) social/behavior variables in three domains (peer relationships, coping skills, and work habits). The follow-up study examined 75 of the original participants on the same variables. Significant differences between successful and unsuccessful students were found on socioeconomic status and all three of the social/behavioral variables. Specific behaviors that were most critical for students' success in the mainstream were identified. The findings support the premise that students' success in general education is determined in part by social/behavioral variables. Consideration of these social/behavioral variables may be helpful when teachers make decisions about placement and programming for students who are at risk for school failure or identified as having learning disabilities.
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