Describes Iowa's use of the term "mental disability" rather than mental retardation and an IQ cutoff score of 85 for classification of mental disability. Revised draft guidelines for the identification of mental disability are presented that contain four criteria, including an IQ cutoff score of 75. (CR)

The consequences in terms of misclassifications of students that would occur by replacing the constructed-response portion of the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in economics with more multiple-choice items were studied. The 1991 AP examinations in micro- and macroeconomics were used. Computer simulation found that a small but statistically…

Use of the SOLO (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) Taxonomy for developing and assessing higher-order thinking in higher education is discussed. Research into the instrument's use to discover what students know and believe about their own learning, to assess entering knowledge in a discipline, to provide models of desired learning outcomes,…

Presents a study of technical lexical structures with the aim of assisting students of English as a Second Language in processing and deciphering the lexico-grammatical realization of technology in the field of plastics. The analysis aims to show that technical terminology is closely related to grammar, and that technical lexis and grammar should…

Outlines a teaching approach for oral English for special purposes that inputs chunks of natural language orally. These "chunks" can be segmented by the learner into fixed and variable units, while simultaneously making the learner aware of the paradigmatic, syntagmatic, and phonological aspects of the language being taught. This…

Will greater school choice result in more responsive, higher quality schools and happier parents? Or will proliferating options further sort students and families by race, social class, and special interest? Increasingly, education is viewed as a private good. If parents become autonomous, self-interested consumers, erosion of common purposes and…

Three studies investigated children's responsiveness to general education reading instruction as an indicator of need for more intensive interventions and found that the response-to-instruction model tested was valid. Results indicated that children at-risk (n=47) who received specially designed general education instruction had better outcomes…

An overview of special education in Costa Rica is provided. Costa Rica has promulgated four educational service models that extend special education expertise: consulting teachers, educational assistance teams, itinerant teams, and resource centers. Their educational classification system describes the level of modifications required by students.…

This article examines the difficulties in diagnosing Asperger syndrome (AS) and differentiating AS from autism. It stresses the need for gathering a developmental history and reviews considerations in conducting different assessments related to medical condition, psychological condition, communication, language, occupational and physical therapy,…

Discussed is whether embedding generative cognitive strategies in microcomputer courseware improves student performance on cognitive assessment measures and on insect classification tasks. The effects of transactional software on students' knowledge of insect anatomy and principles of insect classification were also investigated. (KR)

Reports the findings of a survey of Rhode Island depository libraries that examined how the state's publications are cataloged by libraries and located by users. It is concluded that a system of bibliographic access based on user needs and universally adopted by the libraries would improve access. The questionnaire used is appended. (12…

Provides fully developed library media activities which are designed to be used in connection with seven specific curriculum units for grades one through seven. Highlights include vocabulary of sports; Dewey Decimal classification; writing fables; using nonfiction books and encyclopedias for social studies topics; and political maps in atlases.…

Describes case study that examined the processes and outcomes related to the development of knowledge bases by groups of seventh grade science students in Toronto who were studying classification of living organisms. Expert system shells are discussed, and cognitive and metacognitive skills used in the activity are examined. (23 references)…

Proposed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulation changes address academic standards, student financial aid, organizational administration, championships and extra events, student eligibility, NCAA membership and classification, playing seasons, and deregulation of recruiting contacts, promotional activities, travel cost payment,…

An analysis of a court decision, Podberesky v Kirwin, finding a University of Maryland scholarship targeting black students to be racially discriminatory reviews both what the Supreme Court has said about use of racial classifications and how it has not said what constitutes permissible affirmative action. (MSE)