The assessment and decision-making practices used by 44 child service demonstration centers, which provide services to learning disabled (LD) children, were investigated in a national survey. Results suggested that assessment and decision making in the field of learning disabilities are characterized by variability and inconsistency. (Author/DLS)

Discussed are case studies of four early childhood special education programs, selected to represent a variety of approaches to early childhood special education decision-making and a variety of settings. The case studies focus on issues in diagnostic assessment and are used as the basis for assessment guidelines. (Author/MSE)

Detailed qualitative case studies of four early childhood special education programs, representing a variety of approaches to decision making as well as different community settings (urban, suburban, and rural), present information regarding their diagnostic assessment procedures. In general, programs reported that the main objective of diagnostic…