ABSTRACT
Since 1977 special and regular education have in principle been fully integrated. In a regular classroom of twenty students no more than two students with special needs may be placed. The regular teacher who teaches students with special needs is assisted by a support teacher. Support is provided for students with special needs on a one-to-four ratio. Before additional support is made available, the student is examined by a multidisciplinary team in order to determine the kind of support that is needed. This results in the issuing of a certificate. According to figures from the Italian Ministry of Education, the percentage of students with special needs integrated in regular classrooms is almost 100 per cent. In addition, there is a small number of separate special schools for mentally and/or sensorily handicapped students.
