Discusses the role of the English department head in a time of educational crisis. Examines the possibility that graduate study in English is losing its moral base. Considers the role of leadership and oppositional politics in the context of the crisis in graduate study. (HB)

This response to an article by Bruce Taylor on inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classes argues that it is not possible to meet the needs of all children in the general education classroom and points out that inclusion is generally favored by advocacy groups for low-incidence disabilities and policymakers wanting to cut costs. (DB)

The influence of assessment reports on special educators' instructional planning decisions was evaluated, with 86 educators of students with severe mental retardation. Compared to educators reading a developmental assessment report, educators reading a functional assessment report for the same student recommended less restrictive placements for…

Maintains that past research has identified overeducation and overtraining in terms of the worker's attained schooling from the estimated required schooling of the worker's occupation. Asserts that overeducation is a valid indicator of whether workers possess productive skills that are not utilized. (CFR)

This paper argues for considering the uniqueness of each student with serious emotional/behavioral disorders when deciding on placement. A full continuum of alternatives should be considered, including the possibility that a self-contained class with a low student/teacher ratio may be the least restrictive setting needed to produce successful…

Presents "Library Journal's" (LJ) 44th annual placements and salaries survey of library and information school graduates. Results show that the number of graduates who are finding traditional jobs is declining, but their salaries are increasing. Two related essays discuss one graduate's route to the profession and update the careers of…

This study examined whether Texas students who are gifted and learning disabled are being identified for gifted programs. Survey results from gifted program coordinators (n=386) showed that few school districts (n=75) selected gifted children with learning disabilities for gifted programs. Fewer districts reported identification of these students…

The use of a computer-based expert system (the HISAT Advisor) to make decisions about educational placements of students who are deaf and hard of hearing was compared to placement decisions made by teachers. For 10 student cases, a 90 percent match occurred between the expert system's decision and the majority decision of teachers. (SW)

Behaviors of 66 youth, 8 to 18 years old, with emotional and behavioral disorders that put them at risk for placements outside their homes and/or communities were investigated. Behaviors most predictive of at-risk status were physical aggression, extreme noncompliance, peer interactions, and extreme verbal abuse. (Author/SW)

Children with hearing impairments in three types of placements were evaluated three to four years after enrollment to determine whether changes had occurred in performance intelligence quotients. Results demonstrated significant gains for commuters and residents attending a residential school, in contrast to no change for children attending a…

Reports a study of a retention procedure in Texas in which children are placed in prefirst grade classrooms rather than promoted to regular first grade after kindergarten. Discusses the procedure's effectiveness and appropriateness, reasons for children's placement, children's behavioral problems, parental motivation and approval, and student…

Analysis of 1-year follow-up data of 45 young adults with mental retardation, from diverse cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, indicated that 71 percent were employed during the first 9 months posttraining, with approximately 30 percent of the trainees working for 6 months or more. Overall, 75 percent of the trainees' placements were in…

In the process of strengthening undergraduate mathematics, educators at the American University (District of Columbia) surveyed similar institutions concerning mathematics placement, course requirements, and perceptions of student attitudes. They found common concerns but no obvious solutions. It is concluded that curricular change must be…

A placement counselor offers his personal guidelines for a vocational placement process to serve blind individuals. Guidelines address the counselor's value system; the functional limitations of visual impairment and adaptive options; and the role of the employing agency in enhancing counselors' motivation for placement. A model placement policy…

This article describes available benefits and work incentives affecting supported employment placement for students with severe disabilities, including payment for necessary supports (state programs and the Department of Labor), protection of benefits (Social Security programs), and incentives to employers (the Targeted Job Tax Credits program and…