The STEP curriculum is a competency-based vocational education, evaluation and training program for special needs students with 27 components in 3 domains: survival skills and problem solving, career development and job seeking, and job keeping and work maturity. After implementation in South Dakota, 63 percent of completers were hired permanently…

Johnson County (Kansas) Community College assesses vocational programs in terms of (1) accomplishment of objectives; (2) student opinions of services; (3) appropriate employment; (4) employer satisfaction with student skills; and (5) responsiveness to local labor market and economic development needs. (SK)

Using S. J. Messick's theoretical work concerning construct validity as a guide, underlying hypotheses for investigation when validating placement test decisions are assessed. Guidelines on validating placement decisions are offered, and the hypotheses and guidelines are applied in a validation study of the Written English Expression Placement…

Analysis of Public Law 94-142 (as amended) and of its associated regulations indicates that waivers from the law's requirements are not necessary to initiate experimental programs related to the Regular Education Initiative. Requirements concerned with eligibility, special class placement, and change of placement can be met by innovative…

This article presents a rationale for using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in making special education eligibility decisions, offers a model of how CBM data can be used to make eligibility decisions, and discusses issues and controversies (such as linking CBM data to intervention and addressing exclusionary components) in using CBM for this…

Presents journal entries written by college counselor at a U.S. school in Egypt. Entries concern transfer of students to counselor's school from U.S. and international schools in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates during Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and difficulties in communicating with U.S. colleges during Persian Gulf…

Arguments against the elimination of special programs for gifted students are presented. Acceleration is seen as a well-supported programing option for gifted students in a time of increasing elimination of gifted programs and increasing use of heterogeneous grouping. (DB)

The option of early entrance to college for gifted students is reviewed. Considered are advantages of early entrance, early entrance programs available at a variety of colleges and universities, social and emotional concerns, and potential difficulties of early entrance. Specific recommendations are offered to maximize the chances of success. (DB)

A survey of 50 state language coordinators, conducted to examine criteria for determining which students with developmental delays will receive language services, found that decisions were primarily made on a case-by-case basis. The paper discusses the relationship between language and cognitive development and theories of cognitive development of…

Two parents recount experiences in keeping their severely physically disabled daughter in regular classes within their neighborhood school against the stated policy and pressures of the school system. Stressed is the value of group action by parents and the power of individuals speaking up. (DB)

A survey of 402 teachers of students with behavior disorders gathered information on classroom conditions, perceptions of collegial and administrative support, job satisfaction, and professional judgment regarding student placement. Results indicate that teachers work in relative isolation and are moderately satisfied with their jobs. (Author/JDD)

Examined kindergarten children's performance on the Gesell School Readiness Test (GSRT) and their participation in two different instructional programs in relation to measures of intelligence, academic achievement, and temperament. Found significant relationships among the GSRT, IQ, and academic achievement. Temperament ratings varied according to…

Provides an overview of current issues related to student assessment. Focuses on the ability of library instruction and library research skills to help students develop critical thinking skills. Presents selected comments from respondents to a survey regarding the current status of libraries in student assessment. (DMM)

Discusses the unique advantages provided by computer-based (CB) testing. Describes the various forms of CB tests used in higher education and the variety of testing applications of computers in colleges and universities. Presents psychometric issues and concerns related to CB testing along with relevant research findings. (Author/PVV)

This paper evaluates relations among criterion-referenced test scores, subsequent predicted remediation need decisions, and actual performance without remediation on Georgia's state minimal competency test. Results from examining 1,310 students' scores indicated that many students would have been required to be remediated who subsequently passed…