Background: Mentors guide students in their challenges at school and in life. At-risk students in last-resort programs who are at a high risk of leaving school unqualified are especially in need of highly competent and adaptive mentors. This study therefore aimed to identify mentor qualities as perceived by at-risk students and their mentors that…

The tiny, multicultural nation of Singapore has a long history of provisions for gifted students. Beliefs about ability and talent development are strongly influenced by traditional Confucian perspectives that view environmental factors as dominant in the development of talent. Early identification is not stressed and working hard is emphasized at…

Background/Context: This article considers the ways in which school systems in New York City and Amsterdam have shaped the educational trajectories of two groups of relatively disadvantaged immigrant youth: the children of Dominican immigrants in New York and the children of Moroccan immigrants in Amsterdam. It describes the salient features of…

This article talks about a special program implemented at Towson University, wherein students are admitted into college even if they don't qualify under the regular admissions. The Towson program is an experiment, and Deborah J. Leather, the associate provost who runs it, acknowledges that it is too soon to tell whether the effort has been worth…

With the increased public attention to a rapidly growing number of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it seems as if there is an equally rapid growth of new specialized programs catering to this group of children. The question to be considered is, if there are indeed promising models based on inclusive settings, why does…

Discusses otitis media in Australian Aboriginal children. Topics include effects of conductive hearing loss on Aboriginal children and adults and needs for research and provision of services. (RJC)

A wide variety of selected innovative or nontraditional programs in accredited two- and four-year American colleges and universities is described, using information derived from an extensive study covering over 2200 accredited institutions. Although the intent is to aid career preparation, the scope is broader than the title suggests. Chapters…

Discussed the provision of special education and services for handicapped children by the State of Hawaii. (RK)

THE LOW ACHIEVER FREQUENTLY POSSESSES A MEAGER BACKGROUND WITH RESPECT TO EXPERIENCES THAT NOURISH ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOL. WHILE SCHOOL SUCCESS IS NOT RESTRICTED TO ANY ONE SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC GROUP, LARGE GROUPS OF LOW ACHIEVERS ARE USUALLY FOUND IN LOW ECONOMIC, DENSELY POPULATED AREAS OF THE CITY WHICH CONTAIN A MIXTURE OF MINORITY AND ETHNIC…

There is a communication and articulation problem today between vocational educators and persons from special education and guidance. Those in special education, guidance and vocational education should effectively communicate and work together to solve the complex problem of providing quality vocational education for the handicapped and…

FLEXIBLE PROGRESSION PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN THE WAY STUDENTS PROGRESS THROUGH THE SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE FIRST TYPE OF FLEXIBLE PROGRESSION, WITHIN THE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STRUCTURE, WAS USED IN THE PITTSBURGH SCHOOL SYSTEM. SIX SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN THE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WERE PERMITTED TO TAKE THE…

Special report by the NASPA Division of Research and Program Development. (Author)

This article describes a Herndon, Virginia, general education middle school that has an adjoining special center called the Herndon Center for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The special needs of the students, the failure of less restrictive environments, and the unique characteristics of the center are discussed.…

Discusses the role of Thomas Nelson Community College's Career Center in providing career information to disabled adults in its service area. Considers the college's use of the resources of Virginia Vital Information for Education and Work. Describes specific programs and services, and outcomes. Offers implementation suggestions. (DMM)

This general overview presents definitions of giftedness, a discussion of stereotypes which affect the gifted, and an outline of the types of programs schools might develop and types of teachers they should select to meet the special needs of these youngsters. (SJL)