To make educational assessments and comparisons meaningful, dropout data must be collected according to the same definitions, by the same procedures, and over the same time periods. A 31-state pilot project represents an effort by the National Center for Education Statistics to standardize data collection about high school completion. (SLD)

This article discusses concerns with the No Child Left Behind definition of scientifically based research and its preference for random-assignment experiments from a single/within subject research perspective. A comprehensive program of research that can focus on the bridging the gap between research and practice is proposed. (CR)

This article questions why a somewhat singular focus on orphanhood in the context of AIDS persists despite important shifts to more inclusive terminology of "orphans and vulnerable children." Analysis of data from South Africa raises questions about the "spin" placed on "orphanhood" and its perceived consequences for…

This book presents international perspectives on access and participation of adults in higher education in selected European countries. The book begins with an introduction by Pat Davies and includes papers detailing and providing examples of practices and policies of higher educational institutions regarding adult students in the following…

This collection of 14 essays focuses on the education of individuals with profound disabilities. The essays include: (1) "Individuals with Profound Disabilities: Definitions, Characteristics, and Conceptual Framework" (Les Sternberg); (2) "Creating Environments That Support and Enhance the Lives of All Individuals" (Lucille Zeph); (3) "Biomedical…

Eastfield Community College (ECC) of Texas' Dallas Community College District obtained funding to examine the current skill standards for the job training of telecommunication manufacturing production specialists. Together with the firm Partners in Profound Knowledge (PPK), ECC documented and compared the skill standards required for…

This two-volume set presents 11 papers on the state of the art in learning and behavioral disabilities, the first volume, Part A, includes 6 papers providing theoretical perspectives and, the second volume, Part B, includes 5 papers on intervention research. The theoretical papers are: "Defining Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Divergence…

This paper looks at trends toward more inclusive education for students with disabilities in Sweden in the context of budgetary cut-backs in school resources. It reports on a project that investigated processes of defining target populations for special education in Swedish schools. Special educators (N=27), classroom teachers (N=35) and…

This qualitative study attempted to answer the question of what constitutes a collegial environment. New faculty members (N=258) at five institutions were surveyed and 92 new faculty were interviewed. The study utilized a methodology of quantifying data from interviews, the Rasch analytic technique, in which the definition of collegiality was…

The Fourth Amendment protects an individual's justified expectations of privacy against unreasonable government intrusions; however, reasonable intrusions are allowed when legitimate governmental interests are served. This volume is intended to provide guidelines for school administrators on how to conduct searches and seizures in a manner…

This guide summarizes the important aspects of the history, organization, and process of vocational rehabilitation of American Indian/Alaska Native clients. Specific units cover: (1) history of the state-federal vocational rehabilitation program; (2) organization and administration of rehabilitation programs; (3) fundamentals of vocational…

This paper examines the legal mandates as well as the definitions and indicators for a family-centered early childhood system of care for children with special needs. Legislation discussed includes the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (Title V of the Social Security Act). Various definitions…

Papers from the conference on the occurrence of verbal constituents in series in certain languages, particularly pidgins and creoles, include the following: "What Are We Talking About When We Talk About Serial Verbs?" (Arnold M. Zwicky); "Serial Verb Constructions" (Pieter Seuren); "On the Definition and Distribution of…

This paper, commissioned for the development of the national report, "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent," provides historical background on issues in gifted education, together with ideas and practices from the special educational strategies now in use for gifted students. The report focuses on the nature of superior…

This book provides a synthesis of wide-ranging research on student attrition at American colleges and universities and outlines actions that institutions can and should take to reduce attrition. The key to effective retention is shown to lie in a strong commitment to quality education and the building of a strong sense of inclusive educational and…