This current response to a reprinted 1968 article by Ray Barsch (EC 602 662) focuses on legal aspects of learning disabilities, especially problems in implementing IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and continuing controversies concerning definition, evaluation, instructional intervention, and placement or service delivery…

This study investigated the technical adequacy of 7 objective indexes of writing quality in monitoring the progress of 36 middle school students with mild disabilities over a 6-month period. Three indexes (such as "percent of legible words") were moderately correlated with holistic ratings but were not sufficiently stable over time. (Author/JDD)

A comparative analysis of 10 primary and 10 secondary schools found relationships between school policy toward children with learning problems (either encouraging mainstreaming or separate classes) and other aspects of school functioning, including educational philosophy, approach to handicap identification, and degree of communication between the…

Presents study results adapting a social studies textbook to hypermedia format. Discusses study guides intended to increase the amount of instructional time for students, create a system offering curriculum enhancement and access, and decrease demands on teacher time. Concludes that hypermedia is as effective as lecture, especially for remedial…

Four predictive models offering an ecocultural perspective on the educational and personal-social development of children at risk for learning disabilities and other learning problems are proposed: main effect, additive, multiplicative, and compensatory. Preliminary results favor the compensatory and additive models. Both risk and protective…

Discusses two primary rural disability issues: employment needs of, and outcomes for, rural youth with disabilities; and employability development and transition methods. Suggests improvements for service delivery through effective case management, parent education and support, and collaboration among educational and rehabilitation agencies. (KS)

Studies how sex bias influences the process of preparing and implementing individual education plans (IEPs) under the Education for the Handicapped Act. Conversations with 20 mothers of disabled children reveal the multiple effects of bias and result in recommendations for improved IEPs. (SLD)

Presents a series of articles that address the theme of promoting active lifestyles through education. Some topics are facilities and equipment, how fear plays a part in limiting participation in physical activity, working with disabled as well as aging persons, the use of water activities, and instructor accountability. (GLR)

A survey of 501 faculty members in doctorate-granting special education programs resulted in a ranking of the top 10 programs. Seventy-three percent of the variance in program reputation could be explained by four variables: faculty publication, time spent in research and writing, time spent in outside professional activity, and number of degrees…

Tennessee data were analyzed for four years before and five years after the funding formula for special education was changed from a "flat" rate to a "weighted" formula. The weighted formula was associated with a statistically significant decrease in less restrictive placements and a reliable increase in more restrictive…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 stresses procedural safeguards regarding special education identification, placement, or services. Reviewed a sample of Illinois due process appeal decisions and concluded that the system appears to be serving Illinois educators and parents reasonably well. (20 references) (MLF)

A graduate teacher education program at the University of Colorado prepares special educators for urban school environments through an urban school immersion experience while learning necessary instructional and collaborative skills. Interviews with graduate students and mentor teachers addressed the special educator's role and the effectiveness…

The Educational Television Intervention Programs Project uses television and video technology to increase public awareness of early intervention and to improve family members' competence in implementing home-based intervention. The project includes a video series about child development for individuals working with both typically developing and…

This article discusses the family systems framework and its implications for understanding families with developmentally disabled infants/toddlers from diverse cultures. It presents guidelines to assist home visitors in becoming sensitive to culture's effects on family values, beliefs, and practices, and describes the phases of a home visit and…

An ethnographic study is reported using participant and nonparticipant observations, interviews, and analysis of school files on 77 Hmong students to probe factors affecting tendencies to incorrectly label Hmong students as learning disabled. Case studies are discussed in the context of Hmong history, refugees' experiences, and language factors.…