Questions the adequacy with which the giftedness construct is defined in applied educational settings, and the adequacy of the validation data available for these gifted identification procedures. (Author/BJV)

It has been proposed that the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and its scoring criteria should be adjusted to utilize a half standard deviation cutoff. Evidence is provided to support the claim that less stringent criteria will lead to higher numbers classified while arriving at the same research results. This proposal is considered and,…

Problems in current special education categorical research practices are discussed in terms of consistency and reliability, student heterogeneity, and lack of distinct categorical groups. Suggested changes include characteristic-oriented categorization, corresponding changes in dissemination of research findings, and greater specificity and…

Examines data collected by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the identification and classification of special education students. Analysis suggests that the OSEP count data, by themselves, do not indicate how many children have disabilities or what types of disabilities they have, and the data cannot by used to evaluate…

Trends in comparative education are analyzed in terms of attempts to collect and classify data more systematically and in terms of the contribution comparative education can make to understanding educational change. The growth in comparative education literature and the work of some non-governmental agencies are also discussed. (RM)