Argues that many disabilities among children are increasingly attributable to environmental variables such as violence, poverty, toxic exposure, and family dysfunction. Notes that special education professionals have had primary responsibility for providing specialized services to disabled children and are uniquely qualified to provide resources,…

Presents a fascinating comparison of the musical styles and respective theologies between an Anglican church service and a black fundamentalist service. Maintains that the Anglican service depends on a logocentric vision of the world, separating emotion from intellect. The black church exemplifies a more holistic, transcendent experience. (MJP)

Indian Child Welfare Act became federal law in order to prevent abuses of power by state agencies, courts, and church groups which disrupt Indian families by placing American Indian children in foster care in non-American Indian households. This article studies the impact of the law and discusses a case study of three American Indian children. (FC)

A British Columbian Native teacher education program is guided by a team of First Nations educators and elders, university faculty, a representative of the teacher federation, and students. Aboriginal languages are incorporated into a Native cultural studies course using a holistic approach based on the Medicine Wheel that empowers students to…

The University of South Florida's Department of Special Education has restructured all aspects of its teacher education program in order to respond to educational reforms in institutions of higher education and reforms relative to services integration. Emphasis is on coordination with the local community on specific programs including…

Presents seven brief essays addressing recent research efforts and policy initiatives aimed at reforming the history curriculum. Notes that policy recommendations are rarely informed by research on either historical or pedagogical thinking. Authors include Keith C. Barton, Matthew T. Downey, Terrie L. Epstein, Linda S. Levstik, Peter Seixas,…

Factors supporting excellence in optometric residency programs are discussed, including initial student contact and orientation, instructional quality, teacher as resource, student quality, admission procedures, curriculum design, levels of clinical training, resources that expand the resident's experience, stature of the program within the…

Argues importance of a flexible approach to educating physically and developmentally disabled children, one that allows children to learn and play with attention to age, stages, temperaments, personalities and individual needs. Notes that staff attitudes and willingness to adjust schedules, plans, room arrangement, curriculum, and expectations are…

Examines the dichotomy between Canada's excellent record of social programs, educational attainment, and income and Canadians' continued negative perceptions of their country. Explores issues that particularly vex the Canadians including decentralization and the separatist movement in Quebec. Concludes that Canada's penchant for self-criticism…

Describes a computer program that generates a bank of items for second-language learning drills, including the differential processing of nouns, adjectives, and verbs. The program is used in a New Testament Greek course at the University of the Orange Free State (South Africa), and the exercises generated are tied directly to the course textbook.…

Uses the rapid rise and fall (within two years) of Clinton's industrial technology policy as an example of the creation and delegitimization of political ideas in federal government. Compares the shifting opinions on this policy to similar experiences with other policies, most notably nuclear power. (MJP)

This article considers two policy initiatives that address the dilemma of increasing special education teacher numbers and improving quality: the No Child Left Behind law and the plan laid out in the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future policy blueprint. It then discusses teacher attrition and retainment strategies. (Contains…

Compares policies and programs on computers in science and mathematics education in the six ASEAN countries: Brunei, Indonesia; Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Limits discussion to the computer as a teaching aid and object of study, attendant problems, and regional cooperation. (MVL)

This new Soviet position paper outlines a national plan to infuse computers and information technology into all levels of education over the coming two decades. Topics discussed include computer literacy; vocational education; improvement of instructional methods; special education; computers and educational administration; new roles for teachers…

Traces the conceptual origins of adaptive behavior of handicapped people, from state residential institutions to its role in the complex process of community integration. Measurement instruments are reviewed. Measurement, conceptual, and methodological issues are discussed. (Author/BJV)