Katie Dredger was a successful AP English Literature and Composition teacher when she began questioning the exclusivity her course represented. Here she shares how she was able to open her course to all students willing to attempt the challenge, while maintaining and even raising her intellectual standards. (Contains 5 figures.)

Studying the effects of remedial education is a little like studying the effects of heart surgery. Simply comparing the fates of those who underwent it with those who did not yields terribly misleading results. After all, one group generally starts out in much worse shape. Three new studies of the effects of remedial programs seek to overcome this…

The American Vocational Association's Guidance Division Interest Group on Placement and Development's past three years' activities are summarized; placement services should be cooperative and comprehensive, relative to an employment region, and eliminate multiple employer contacts. A new national model, "Placement Services Training Curriculum…

AREAS IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM WERE DISCUSSED. THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD BE MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL'S PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GREATER CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BETTER ADMINISTRATION, BETTER TEACHING, AND BETTER LEARNING. IT COULD ALSO BE VALUABLE TO THE ACADEMICALLY SUPERIOR STUDENT WHO DID NOT PLAN TO GO ON…

California State College at Los Angeles has merged the once separate counseling and placement functions into an integral service center that combines academic and personal counseling with vocational orientation. The author describes the new organization. (Author/BY)

The current study examined whether the parental practice of delayed kindergarten entrance, also known as academic red-shirting, was associated with gains in academic achievement among children with learning disabilities. Results indicate no significant differences in the academic achievement among children with learning disabilities who were…

This paper reports on a survey that aimed to explore the experiences of students undertaking initial teacher education and community education degrees in a Scottish university. The survey focused in particular on decisions around disclosure of disability and experiences on "placements" in schools or community work settings. Findings…

Appropriate physical education is a mandated part of a child's Individual Educational Program (IEP). It is not optional, nor should parents want it to be optional. This is the time in the day for the child to develop in a variety of ways that are very important to healthy living for the rest of his or her life. The purpose of physical education is…

William is 9 years of age, residing with his parent within the boundaries of an unnamed district ("the District"). As a student with autism he is eligible for special education programming and services. There was one issue presented for this due process hearing: What was the appropriate program and placement for him for the 2008-2009 school year?…

In this article, the author makes a distinction between two kinds of change: tinkering change and systemic change. Tinkering change includes reforms intended to address a specific deficiency or practice. Such tinkering change can be contrasted to what Shakespeare termed "sea change" in "The Tempest" ("a sea change into something rich and strange")…

Recent work suggests that out-of-home placements continue to be relatively common for youth with mental health problems, even within systems of care. The current work examines rates and predictors of movement back home and stability of reunifications. During the focal period, 1,778 youths experienced out-of-home placements; 61% moved back home,…

The author discusses fundamental misunderstandings about Advanced Placement (AP)courses, which are intended to provide high-school students with an academic college experience, typically at the level of an introductory college course. Popular misconceptions include: (1) AP is about memorization and does not require students to think critically;…

This article begins to unpack the complex effects of the policies of both the small schools and choice on students with special needs. Drawing on qualitative data collected throughout the 2008-2009 academic year and a range of quantitative data from New York City's public high schools, the author shows that while small schools and choice are…