Describes how principals assign teachers and students to single-grade and combination classes. Presents research showing unexpected constraints that fundamentally changed the basis of class assignment and, consequently, the nature of classroom compositions. A case is made that multitrack calendars reduce principals' flexibility to make purposive…

This study examined the congruence of child protection agencies' legal positions, court clinic recommendations, and judicial dispositions in 59 contested child maltreatment cases. Placement recommendations/decisions were highly correlated; where there was disagreement between successive evaluations, it was in the direction of enhancing family…

Implementation of a career ladder in the Cave Creek Unified School District (Arizona), with a five-factor teacher performance evaluation and accompanying placement algorithm successfully dispersed teachers across plan levels. After three years, there have been no teacher grievances filed, and teachers feel ownership and authority over the career…

A research-based positive evaluation methodology for professional development of teachers is presented, and its use in an Australian school is described. The principal is the evaluator and chair of an assessment committee that includes a peer nominated by the teacher, the teacher being evaluated, and the principal. (SLD)

This article examines the challenges and successes experienced over four years by three academically gifted students with deaf-blindness in inclusive educational programs, and presents recommendations about placement of students with similar needs in inclusive programs. (Author/DB)

Examines the impact of family foster care placement, as experienced by several children ages 11 to 14. Found that the children described their lives and circumstances positively for the most part, despite the fact that placement caused severe disruption for the children because of the necessity of blending into new neighborhoods, schools,…

Argues that special and segregating programs for students having difficulty learning focus on within-child deficits, keep students apart from their peers, and lower teacher expectations. The authors make a case for urban schools and teacher preparation that enhance skills in dealing with diverse learners and encourage inclusion. (GR)

Examined the effectiveness of long-term treatment foster care placements. Results indicated that: much depends on change as well as stability in a family; a small number of children accounts for a disproportionate number of placement changes; supports after permanent placements into adoption or reunification are desirable; and a continuum of…

This follow-up article reasserts the need for professionals to avoid hasty identification of children with unusual test performances as "learning disabled." A child diagnosed as "learning disabled" at age 7 transferred to a different school, was placed in a gifted program, and is performing well in grade 11. Implications for the evaluation of deaf…

The City University of New York's Lehman College requires entering transfer students to demonstrate writing proficiency for appropriate placement. Academic advising is used to help students understand the need for this assessment. The relatively complex system has been found to save students' time, promote academic achievement, and improve…

Selection data for all Medical University of South Carolina anesthesiology residency applicants (about 200 per year) and the 8 selected per year were compared for 4 years. Results showed standardized test scores, grades, and class ranks of those selected were not higher than of others, but interview and recommendation scores were higher.…

Principals must understand their responsibilities for special education programs mandated under Public Law 94-142. Principals should become familiar with the student referral process and prereferral intervention programs. Because principals frequently conduct evaluation meetings and chair individualized education program meetings, they must know…

A model is presented for assuring the appropriate identification and referral of students with learning disabilities to special education. The model formalizes a regular education component in six steps for implementation in regular education contexts, followed by seven procedural safeguards once a student has been referred for comprehensive…

Parents of 84 severely retarded children, ages 2-8, were interviewed over a 2-year period, and their thoughts and actions regarding out-of-home placement for their child were assessed. Results indicate linear trends in placement tendency. From initial consideration of placement, it may be one to two years until the act of placement is completed.…

Analysis of the functional and personal characteristics of 336 persons with mental retardation living in 181 small, specialized foster care homes and group homes found some differences in resident characteristics across facility type, including communication and toileting skills, age, and mobility. (Author/DB)