Discussed are the different ways the term "brain dysfunction" was interpreted and advocated by special educators, parents, persons concerned with social problems, and other groups urging that the condition be recognized through federal legislation. (Author/RM)

An analysis of naturalistic educational psychology and sociological Marxist explanations of unequal educational performance shows that the debate is shaped by a fundamental theme in Western culture: the nature-culture opposition. Educational performance is influenced by the social and political interests of educators and researchers and by more…

Replies to a review of another article he wrote which presented a framework for the sociological analysis of special education. Clarifies the distinction between substantialist and contractualist ideologies, and argues that the latter is the basis for special education differentiation. Rebuts the allegation that Marxist sociology has been…

Presents a structural framework for the sociological analysis of special education. Describes special education as one of the ways in which schools perform their reproductive task by differentiating children and allocating them to different educational treatments. Employs the framework to analyze the different histories of special education in…

This report uses the case of Ponam Island to show the sorts of social and economic factors that have influenced one village's response to schooling. These factors appear to have been important in affecting the relative success of educational programs in Ponam. Findings suggest that researchers and policy makers concerned with education need to pay…