This study reviews 26 meta-analyses in mental retardation in terms of selected hypotheses, sampling information, representative characteristics of the review, analysis of primary studies, interpretation of results, and reporting of the integrative view. Results indicate a wide variation in the amount of reported data similar to other analyses of…

Provides a comprehensive review of the research examining the academic and socioemotional outcomes associated with grade retention. Discussion addresses the disparity between educational practice and converging research regarding grade retention and suggests directions for practice. Encourages researchers, educational professionals, and…

The present study, a meta-analysis of 61 studies of self-concept, shows that children with learning disabilities (LD) perceive their academic ability less favorably than their non-LD peers. In contrast to previous research, this study indicated no differences in self-concept as a function of special education setting. Implications for research and…

This article synthesizes some of the published literature comparing the cognitive functioning of children with reading disabilities (RD) and children with low reading and low intelligence (low achievers). Research indicates that children with reading disabilities outperformed low achievers on measures of lexical knowledge, syntactical knowledge,…

A study examined 50 Pennsylvania cases reviewing the involuntary commitment of persons with mental retardation. Factors evaluated included characteristics of the individual, the presiding court, the impact of a court-appointed Child Advocate or Public Defender, availability of residential alternatives, and prior placement. (Author/DB)

Examines the experiences and socialization process of beginning teachers. Finds that entry experiences often include unmet expectations that cause stress, frustration, and ultimately lead to exit from the profession. When attributing meaning to surprising events, beginning teachers rely on organizational and individual inputs. (DHP)

Used meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the empirical research from 1966 through 1987 regarding the influence of college residence halls on the academic performance of undergraduate students in the United States. Found research did not show living in a conventional residence hall significantly influenced academic performance over living at…

Conducted meta-analytic review of findings from 34 past studies examining marital satisfaction and analyzed moderating effect of certain study characteristics. Found statistically significant differences for three of five comparisons made but concluded that differences had little practical meaning. Included critique of marital satisfaction…

Responds to Donald Dean Morley's reply (same issue). Discusses his claims about the use of multiple-message designs, the analysis of multiple-message designs, and generalization on logical grounds. (MS)

Fifteen studies of severe mental retardation in children are reviewed, from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Quebec, and West Germany. For each study, the aims, definitions, subpopulations studied, case-finding methods, and findings are reported. Findings are then analyzed in terms of prevalence, etiology, service provision, and associated…

Methods for approximating confidence intervals for the population standardized mean difference (delta) were evaluated analytically in small samples. An empirically determined simple linear adjustment to the sample delta demonstrated the most consistent precision when used to construct confidence intervals for the delta parameter. (SLD)

The critical evaluation of data-based studies concerned with social and vocational problems of adults with learning disabilities concludes that, despite methodological problems of existing research, professionals need to take a life-span approach to learning disabilities since many children with learning disabilities will become learning disabled…

Large sample multivariate methods for estimating and comparing effect sizes across independent samples within a single study are presented. Procedures for pooling treatment effects are provided to allow determination of overall study effect sizes for treatments with similar effects prior to implementation of meta-analyses. (TJH)

Examined relation of characteristics of career counseling interventions to career counseling outcomes. Explored 240 treatment-control comparisons resulting from 58 studies containing 7,311 subjects. Class interventions were most effective but required most time. Individual counseling produced more client gain per hour than other intervention…

Examines implications of incorporating a metacognitive focus in the curriculum. Recommends an integrative and contextualized approach to teaching children to understand and apply metacognitive strategies. (RAE)