ABSTRACTIn 1987 a qualitative research project was carried out into the mainstreaming of special needs students into the compulsory schools of the Friuli‐Venezia Giulia Region in northern Italy: the scuole elementari (elementary schools, including five grades and teaching students from 6 to 11 years); and the scuole medie (junior high schools, including three grades and teaching students from 11 to 14 years). The research group established a number of indicators to identify the changes that schools needed to undertake in order to help integration. A questionnaire was devised on the basis of these indicators.The questionnaire was then answered by all the schools that had special needs students in the Friuli‐Venezia Giulia region. Findings revealed that the mainstreaming was seen as ‘partially successful’ by the majority of respondents.