Unlike traditional objective testing methods, alternative assessments encourage student involvement in real-life problems and challenges. The teacher's role is to help students determine and identify assessment tasks and criteria, participate in ongoing assessment of work in progress, and propose alternative ways to meet criteria. This article…

Two cohorts of 3694 second-grade children were screened for emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD). Children were identified by using the current federally mandated definition and by also using an alternative definition that requires school and parent involvement in determining symptom presence. Most participants were identified by schools as…

Defines and discusses alternatives to traditional public schooling, including private and home schools, contract schools, charter schools, and school-based finance systems. Implications for principals are reflected in a drive for more rigorous state tests and standards and the growing use of technology, which stresses independent study. Charter…

Compared knowledge and attitudes regarding inappropriate parenting among immigrant parents from European and Caucasus countries of the former Soviet Union residing in Israel. Found that immigrants from the Caucasus related inappropriate parental behaviors to what is normative, whereas European immigrants were concerned with potential harm to the…

Investigates the effects of label, child's gender and race, child's educational placement, and availability of definitional information on prognostic judgments for children with behavior problems. Undergraduate students (N=363) enrolled in teacher education read a vignette and completed a prognostic outlook questionnaire. Results indicate a…

Argues that the language currently used at research universities to describe faculty work is constraining, emphasizing quantity as opposed to quality, extrinsic as opposed to intrinsic characteristics, lack of trust of faculty, and emphasis on procurement of resources. An alternative use of language is proposed, suggesting that, if faculty can…

Argues that controversy over the definition of multicultural literature is focused on how many cultures should be covered. Identifies and discusses three key definitions that raise fundamental sociopolitical issues and have differing implications for how multicultural literature is incorporated into the curriculum. Discusses relationships between…

The full-service school integrates educational, medical, and social services for children and families on school grounds or in accessible locations. A survey found that onsite clinics are not always integrated with education and that teachers are frequently excluded from clinic teams. Implications and implementation barriers are discussed.…

For service-learning proponents, the emphasis on assessment presents special challenges: definitions vary widely; credible testing is in its infancy; and tracking causal effects on academics is difficult, intrusive, and expensive. Political will may diminish if schools are forced to choose between school service programs and high test scores. (MLH)

A retrospective study of 46 individuals with autism analyzed outcome data using, first, classical definitions of outcome and, second, a reconceptualization based on criteria of competency and quality of life. Four case studies of young adults doing well illustrate the multitude of variables that impact on long-term outcome. (DB)

Shows how gender assumptions and inequalities influence how we define the literacy problem, value literacy skills, and perceive relations between adult literacy learners and teachers. Draws on various sources to describe and critique the gendered cornerstones of literacy education, focusing on how women's literacy activities become devalued and…

Reviews and discusses definitions of risk for disabilities and methods for predicting risk. Maintains that longitudinal and other types of studies have been used to resolve the difficulties in defining, identifying, and prioritizing at-risk children. Discusses the use of developmental epidemiological methods as an effective way to identify…

This study examined the content and characteristics of state departments of education position or policy statements on inclusion for 17 state education agencies. Analysis revealed that such policy/position statements usually address the meaning of the term "inclusion," the philosophy of inclusion, laws and court decisions pertaining to inclusion,…

Whereas equity generally focuses on relative levels or distributions of funds, adequacy stresses providing sufficient and absolute funding levels to produce desired student outcomes. Adequacy underlies many recent court decisions. Estimating costs of an adequate education is extremely difficult. School business officials must develop better…

Quality is a value-laden and context-bound concept. Drawing on cultural psychology, this study examines the nature of cultural values underlying definitions of quality in American early childhood programs. From semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers and 15 administrators in center-based early childhood programs, three themes emerged: (a)…