This study extended the limited research on the utility of tactile prompts and examined the effects of a treatment package on implementation of a token economy by instructional assistants in a classroom for students with disabilities. During baseline, we measured how accurately the assistants implemented a classroom token economy based on the…

Despite the central role of risk assessment in analyzing and making decisions about many environmental issues, most people are poorly equipped to understand key concepts about risk or apply them successfully. I present three class activities in which students develop a better appreciation for the magnitude of a one in a million increased risk of…

This study examined whether preservice teachers' understanding of collaborative consultation improves significantly during undergraduate training and whether they receive experiences working with other school professionals. The study compared the perceptions of 128 college freshmen with 130 college seniors at a mid-sized, midwestern university.…

Twenty-one children (approximate ages 6 to 16), drawn from the larger pool of 100, with Tourette's Syndrome were evaluated to: (1) determine the prevalence of learning disorder in this population; (2) identify particular areas of academic difficulty; and (3) consider the spectrum of central nervous system processing deficits in these children. Not…

This study investigated the degree of agreement between adolescents' and parents' perceptions of the adolescent-parent relationship, and the links between these perceptions and adolescents' school achievement and personal autonomy. Questionnaires were completed by 353 adolescents attending an all-male, inner city, Catholic high school, and by…

This paper describes a study in which a Picture Readability Index (PRI) was used to investigate initial and extended perceptions of photographs. Readability criteria for evaluating instructional text seems to have been in place for a long time, yet instructional visuals like photographs and illustrations have typically been subject to no such…

This paper describes the theoretical framework that underlies the Teachers as Decision Maker Program (TADMP) at Indiana University and the development of a conceptual framework of seven teacher perspectives. The four components of the theoretical framework guiding both TADMP research and the program itself are pedagogical schemata, professional…

This paper surveys past and current theories about the workings of the mind, current brain research and psychological applications of non-linear dynamics. Parallels are drawn between the world of high-functioning autism, gifted individuals with learning disabilities, and aspects of genius. An organizing theory is presented, which includes these…

According to the literature and historical experience, differences of opinion exist among teachers about the role and functions of counseling professionals in schools, and little information is available about preservice instruction on the work of school counselors. A study was conducted, therefore, for the following purposes: (1) to determine how…

This paper discusses distinguishing features of site-based management, theories supporting site-based management, examples of current practices, and special education implications. Part I presents issues concerning the implementation of site-based management as a restructuring process, including obstacles in implementing site-based management,…

This paper provides background information from the professional literature related to teacher mentoring programs. It is organized into four sections. The first section, "Mentoring Rationale" discusses the need for new teacher support, the success of mentoring as a useful induction strategy, and benefits to participants. Section two,…

This role-play activity is designed for use by teacher educators in a general or content area methods class to help education majors become knowledgeable of role expectations in the student teaching experience and build good interpersonal role relationships. Students conduct library research and interviews concerning role expectations, use the…

The inter-subject/intra-subject subtest patterns (profiles) of the same sample of gifted children were examined based on factors found in a previous study of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test (CPM) that investigated structural properties with specific application to a sample of gifted children. The sample consisted of 166 children (78…

The current and desired role of local vocational directors (LVDs) in North Carolina was assessed through a survey of superintendents, principals, vocational teachers, and LVDs. A literature review indicated differences in various groups' perceptions regarding the actual and ideal role of LVDs. The instrument required respondents to reply 2 times…

This study investigated four types of media formats: (1) talking head; (2) voice-under-text; (3) voice-under-video; and (4) multiformat (combination of talking head, voice-under-video, and text). Sixty-four suburban middle-school students were shown four different narrative stories, each presented in a different media format. Students were tested…