Reviews Gibson's contributions to the domain of perceptual learning, including her classic experiment concerning the perception of scribbles. Discusses Gibson's research on differentiation and the links between perception and learning, the status of her research and ideas, and her experimental approach. (BG)

A study compared the informal theories about the child held by 10 preservice education students with those held by 8 educational leaders with experience in the elementary grades. During interviews, students and educators were asked to define "the child" in everyday terms. They were also asked to categorize and respond to 32 statements…

Bayley's major contributions to developmental psychology are reviewed. These include her concern with measurement and methodology and her early anticipation of such topics as behavior genetics. Her work in such areas as androgyny and body build, motor and mental development, and maternal and child behaviors is summarized. (LB)

Educational, psychological and mental health, and medical computer databases were searched, and three occupational reference texts were examined, in an effort to identify the position of the child development specialist (CDS). Other objectives were to initiate a dialogue in the profession and among those who might value services of CDSs, and to…

Reviews validation studies on ten procedures for diagnosing learning disabilities. Evaluates special knowledge claims of learning-disabilities specialists. Author finds procedures often lack sound empirical base, yet diagnosis/labeling of children as learning disabled continues. Concludes that specialists resort to bilogical explanations for…

There is evidence that increasing the compensation of child care workers improves the quality of child care. This study was funded by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education to identify policy options addressing the improvement of compensation for staff working in child care and development programs. The report…

Problems with assimilating foreign students into the French school system are addressed by examining some of the variables which are considered in dealing with nursery school age (2-6 years) migrant children. An explanation is given of the pre-school provisions for migrants and the general national policy of accepting them into the nursery schools…

The purpose of this paper is to assess the utility of a conceptual model of factors involved in early childhood policy development. The assessed model provides a framework which focuses on the interactive nature of decision-making. Basic parameters are identified and applied to an instance of successful participation in the development of policies…

Presents 11 articles devoted to the application of primary prevention tactics and strategies in elementary and secondary school systems. Describes specific programs and reviews research related to positive student development and the prevention of emotional and learning problems. Discusses the role of counselors, teachers, and other professional…