The main thrust of the work is to explain how it is that the definition and volume of deviance can change in a particular social system independent of the actions of the deviants within the system. (Author/AM)

Discusses the nature and function of educational policy and describes the relationship of policies to decisions, rules, and general social norms. Concludes that a model for policy development is necessary and offers suggestions for the creation of a model. For journal availability, see SO 505 716. (Author/DB)

Focuses on a definition of culture, its impact on communication, specifically in relation to medical, legal and social service professions, and recommendations with regard to training which is directed toward the development of objective cultural perceptions. (Author/RK)

Attempts a definition of terms and a brief analysis of the philosophical considerations surrounding grading followed by a detailed discussion of specific techniques for assigning grades. (Author/RK)

The confusion between content validity and construct validity runs rampant in psychology today. Possibly nothing has highlighted this confusion so much as the various efforts to develop guidelines on test validation. Defines content and construct validity and attempts to provide some guidelines to clarify the conten-construct problem. (Author/RK)

The article examines the background and current status of attempts to define the term "learning disabilities" (LDs), and concludes that resolution of the problem by continued search for a consummate definition of LD is unrealistic. (Author)

Describes learning to teach as a task involving learning to think and act in ways appropriate to the profession's demands. Describes the language of practice, using common sense and practical analyses of knowledge and action. Illustrates these concepts with a study of student teachers and applies architecture's pattern language to teaching.…

The use of intelligence quotient alone for defining mental retardation is inappropriate and potentially harmful when applied to individuals or used to formulate public policy. An alternative conceptual framework for defining mental retardation within the context of interactions between an individual's characteristics and the demands of the social…

A survey of state mental retardation/developmental disabilities agencies found that while most employ a classification system that is compatible with or derived from that of the American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD), only 22 are actually using the 1983 edition of the AAMD alone or with another system. (Author/VW)

Observational learning is theoretically conceptualized as a skill that can be developed along a learning hierarchy from acquisition and fluency development to generalization of imitative behavior. This review characterizes these levels of observational learning and details differential teaching strategies that have been attempted at each level…

Presents tips to help geography educators at all levels set up a computer mapping laboratory. Discusses what a computer mapping laboratory is, needs and planning, software, hardware selection, and laboratory operation. (RM)

In response to a previous article, the paper stresses that, in addition to theory development, the field of learning disabilities needs to resolve definitional issues involving disability specificity, intelligence, measurement concepts, and the continua of abilities. Suggestions for developing operational definitions of both learning disabilities…

Arguments supporting the conceptual validity of learning disabilities are presented against the background of current definitional problems. The need to differentiate between classification and identification and the importance of a shared attribute definition are stressed. It is argued that a taxonomy of learning disabilities and related…

The article reviews the history of public policy, legislation, and services affecting learning disabled children in the context of professional differences concerning definitional issues and anxieties about current initiatives to serve learning disabled students in the regular classroom. The need for solid research on effective instruction with…