Policies and programs designed to serve children and families are sometimes misaligned with developmental science research. Broad child neglect reporting laws, first adopted by the United States in 1974, have led to families being prosecuted by child protection authorities for allowing children to participate in everyday age-appropriate activities…

Through the work of Y-PLAN (Youth--Plan, Learn, Act, Now) youth-led action research, the University of California Berkeley Center for Cities + Schools (CC+S) has focused its research on youth experiencing homelessness in California public schools. This research analyzed the McKinney-Vento Act from system-wide implementation perspectives, as well…

We review the evolution of the conceptualisation of dyslexia and along with it the current, 21st century definition of dyslexia. Our starting point is the seminal report by Pringle Morgan in 1896, followed by early 20th century reports by Hinshelwood, and continuing with concepts of brain injury and minimal brain dysfunctions then to the emergence…

With this paper we explore the practical materialization of select diversity policies in the United States via an analysis of their implementation at different institutional levels. Specifically, using a cultural studies framework that is guided by Stuart Hall's (1993) concept of distortions, we investigate how discursive conceptualizations of…

In 2010, alcohol was once again the substance of choice among American youth. In fact, a greater proportion of American young people use alcohol than use other drugs or tobacco, and this use of alcohol by youth under the legal drinking age of 21 has profound negative consequences not just for underage drinkers, but also for their families, their…

The position paper (1981) of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities presents a revised definition of learning disabilities and identifies issues and concerns (such as the limitation to children and the exclusion clause) associated with the definition included in P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. (DB)

The 19 sections of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 are briefly analyzed. (JC)

Reviews psychological conceptions of giftedness. Discusses the current status of education of the gifted. Introduces current public policy issues and concerns related to future policy issues. Recommends new directions for research. (Author/BJV)

The Minnesota 2-year state plan presents a review of the existing service delivery system for: (1) the provision of services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families; (2) a continuing response to priority areas specified in federal legislation; and (3) development of a work plan leading toward development of a Three-Year State…

The author asserts that early childhood educators have a responsibility to become involved in the formation of public policy. To improve the advocacy skills of early childhood educators, a glossary of basic legislative terminology and descriptions of major legislative processes at the state and federal levels are provided. Particular attention is…

Aimed at federal policymakers, this monograph presents a discussion of the role of excellence in vocational education and the role of the government in achieving it. The report is organized into five chapters. In the first chapter, the dimensions of excellence are examined with a focus on values, the atmosphere of crisis engendered in part by a…

Presenting an historical review of American Indian education, this document includes the following: (1) Introduction (identifies the educational anthropologist as one who investigates the learner's and the educator's cultural orientation to better facilitate the continuity of educational content and method); (2) Definition of Terms (culture,…

This article discusses concerns with the No Child Left Behind definition of scientifically based research and its preference for random-assignment experiments. It proposes that instead of playing the victim, critics should illustrate the important findings that have advanced the field using research methodologies other than randomized experiments.…

A survey was conducted to determine states' progress towards developing a definition for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers as required by Public Law 99-457, Part H. Results of the survey, conducted in the summer of 1988, indicated that many states had made a great deal of progress toward developing a policy regarding the definition of…

A paper analyzed the opportunities for developing a vocational energy education program under existing legislation, summarized the present status of energy-related vocational education, and addressed major issues that need resolution before energy-related vocational education can be expanded. There is a particular lack of sufficient funding for…