A review of historical documents from the early 1900's in Los Angeles indicated that although mental testing played an important diagnostic role, it did not determine special class placement or establishment of special classes. Teacher referral was equally important in placement decisions. (Author/DB)

This paper describes efforts to establish ungraded classes for mildly retarded children in New York City from 1900-1920, focusing on struggles to find and train qualified teachers, correctly identify children to be served, and provide ample classroom space. The introduction of intelligence testing is also examined. (Author/JDD)

The author traces the gifted education movement in the United States from the beginnings in the early 1900s of the intelligence testing movement. Societal conceptions about the ignorance of the masses fed the movement. The emergence of gifted child theory is traced to Lewis Terman and Leta Hollingworth. Terman's association of mental ability with…