Examined are approaches to the problem of defining the severely/profoundly handicapped, and proposed is a definition based on service need with emphasis on teacher competencies. (CL)

The racial definitional system in the United States ensures the separation of people. It is a caste-like system of nomenclature which was invented by Whites for their benefit. It is institutionalized and gets renewed through the socialization process. The system is only peripherally concerned with how Blacks define themselves. (VM)

Explicates a definition and theory of "aboutness" and aboutness analysis developed by text linguist van Dijk; explores implications of text linguistics for bibliographic classification theory; suggests the elements that a theory of the cognitive process of classifying documents needs to encompass; and delineates how people identify…

Trainers need to know how to identify and control silence as an important cue in nonverbal communication. A categorization of the types of silence in trainer behavior most frequently observed includes set and closure, wait-time, pause-time, discipline or control, confusion or disorganizational, transitional, humorous, and interactive silence, and…

Argues that rhetorical genre must be defined in terms of rhetorical action rather than form or substance. Proposes a conception of rhetorical genre based on conventionalized social motives found in recurrent situations. Points out the implications for rhetorical education: genres help students understand how to participate in community action. (PD)

A major problem in competency-based education is the lack of clarity in defining competence. This monograph describes the levels of competence used in developing competency-based educational programs and provides a taxonomy that can be used in developing competency-based instruction. The taxonomy includes four levels. Level 1 includes specific…

Contends that the traditional division of communication study into interpersonal, group and public, and mass communication is inadequate because it ignores the pervasiveness of media. Proposes that media be incorporated in definitions of communication. Examines the category of "mediated interpersonal communication" and suggests it be placed in an…

Literature is reviewed indicating that programs serving handicapped and nonhandicapped preschool children have been labeled inconsistently, with few attempts to identify specific variables which discriminate program types. Suggested are the terms "integrated special education" (with a high proportion of handicapped) and "mainstreamed" (with a low…

The author discusses the concepts of community most appropriate to adult education, integrating various theoretical perspectives. He presents a conceptual typology of three dimensions of community practice: adult education for the community, adult education in the community, and adult education of the community. (Author/SK)

The formative-summative distinction in evaluation is defended as a reasonable way to classify evaluation activities. Context ultimately defines the formative or summative functions of evaluation. The characteristics of an evaluator are defined, and points of agreement with the other contributors to the forum are noted. (SLD)

Points out linguistic and logical inconsistencies that come into play when African populations are discussed through the medium of Eurocentric discourse. "African" is suggested as a more logical way to define people with an origin on the African continent than the term "black". (SLD)

Proposes a nomenclature for suicide-related behavior in the hope of improving the clarity and precision of communications, advancing suicidological research and knowledge, and improving the efficacy of clinical interventions. Provides a background of the ambiguity surrounding suicide terminology, contrasts nomenclature with classification, and…

Reviews the concept of rational suicide and compares it with one researcher's list of commonalities of suicide. Claims that the list cannot accommodate rational suicide. Suggests that the list is biased against rational suicide and should be renamed so it cannot be maintained that suicide must be irrational. (RJM)

This paper summarizes results of a survey of 256,000 individuals in Spain which sought to identify those individuals with impairments, disabilities, and handicaps. The paper also examines the usefulness of the World Health Organization's classification. Results are discussed in terms of prevalence of disability, age, sex, common impairments,…

Responds to the three main articles in this issue with questions concerning the development and use of policy-impact codes (rural-urban classification systems) for specific purposes in policymaking, research, and practice. Questions the necessity for policy-impact codes to ensure equity, adequacy, responsiveness, and appropriateness of rural…