This study examined which factors were related to placement choices for inclusive regular education or exclusive special education for Dutch students with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (SEBD). Students aged 6-11 in three subgroups participated: 45 included and 17 excluded students with SEBD (i.e., educated in regular education…

This randomized controlled study examined disciplinary outcomes for 201 students who made threats of violence at school. The students attended 40 schools randomly assigned to use the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines or follow a business-as-usual disciplinary approach in a control group. Logistic regression analyses found, after…

Students with disabilities are disproportionately represented within the bullying dynamic. However, few studies have investigated the interaction between disability identification and special education services. The current study evaluated bullying involvement (direct victimization, relational victimization, cybervictimization, bullying, fighting,…

It is suggested that the Child Study Team develop alternative educational plans (AEP's) for those referred students who are ineligible for special education. The AEP would be similar to the individualized education plan (IEP), except that the regular classroom teacher would be responsible for implementation. (Author/BW)

Two groups (learning disabled and normal) of 15 children were administered the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery-Children's Revision and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Considering abnormal or borderline profiles as indicative of learning disability was 93.3 percent accurate in discriminating between groups.…

Explored whether classroom teachers' (n=40) perceptions of difficult-to-teach (DTT) students are racially biased. Subjects each nominated DTT student most likely to be referred for psychological evaluation and placement in special education. One-half DTT students were white, one-half were black. Results indicated black teachers and white teachers…

Curriculum-based measurement and performance assessments can provide valuable data for making special-education eligibility decisions. Reviews applied research on these assessment approaches and discusses the practical context of treatment validation and decisions about instructional services for students with diverse academic needs. (Author/JDM)

A questionnaire completed by school psychologists indicated ethical and legal dilemmas involved in evaluation, decision making, and placement of students under P.L. 94-142. These conflicts arose from budgetary restraints and professional disagreements. The dilemmas are discussed and possible preventive measures are suggested. (DWH)

Teachers of emotionally disabled students in three states were surveyed to determine the availability and usefulness of information at the time of placement and reintegration of students. Implications for the collection of assessment information by school psychologists and other multidisciplinary team members are discussed. (Author/PN)

Trial spanning grades 1-4 reported changes in classroom processes produced by ClassWide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) Program covaried with statistically and educationally significant levels of growth in at-risk students' academic achievement. Investigated follow-up outcomes at end of sixth grade. Found continued improved academic outcomes in students at…

A primary problem with special education placement is that it is a solution that comes too late for children who are first noticed by their kindergarten teachers as lacking prerequisite skills. It is of critical importance that these students, whose reading skills are low in comparison to their peers, be accurately identified through universal…

Recent court decisions concerning the demographics of placement of students in various program tracks are reviewed in three articles. Focus is on special cases involving charges of overrepresentation of minorities in programs for the educably mentally retarded. Implications for school psychology and special education are discussed. (TJH)

A multiple regression analysis was conducted using teacher rating items as criterion variables and age, sex, race, weight, height, physical dexterity, and intelligence quotient (IQ) as predictor variables. Moderate correlations were noted. Implications of the results are discussed regarding relative bias of psychometric instruments and teacher…

The influence of a student's background and setting upon school psychologists' diagnostic and program decisions was investigated. Results indicated that psychologists' decisions were not influenced by a student's background, school setting, or the psychologist's work setting. Findings suggested that school psychologists are not biased by these…

In placement decisions necessitated by PL 94-142, the multidimensional team approach may be hindered by group problems. The more structured nominal group technique (NGT) is suggested. NGT has six steps: silent, written generation of ideas; round robin reporting; group discussion for clarification; preliminary priority vote; discussion; and final…