Discusses the Document Based Question (DBQ) as a way of assessing critical thinking skills. Examines several weaknesses with this type of test item and offers suggestions for overcoming them. Advocates the method continue to be used. (JDH)

Describes the efforts of Northern Virginia Community College to develop articulation agreements for advanced placement with public school systems in nine jurisdictions. Explains the goals of the articulation project, the processes involved in developing the agreements, the use of Assessment by Local Examination as a qualifying exam, problems and…

The Supreme Court ruled that school officials could not make a unilateral decision to keep a special education student out of school for more than 10 days. However, it gives officials an opportunity to reach lawful agreements with the student's parents or with a court to change the child's placement. (MLF)

A study compared advanced-standing and regular social work master's graduates in employment history, evaluations of their graduate education, and perceptions of the relevance of their education for post-graduation jobs. Differences occurred only in the congruence of specialization and second job choice in the two groups. (MSE)

A study of the reintegration of 382 severely emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered students (preschool through secondary) into less restrictive programs revealed that the expected continuum of services (most to least restrictive) were reversed. The predominant placement was full integration, followed in descending order by resource and…

The role of supported employment in the transition of disabled students from school to work is examined. Needed are functional vocational training curricula, student placement in jobs, school collaboration with adult service agencies, development of a community transition team, staff development, collaborative planning, parental involvement,…

Reports the results of a study of the effectiveness of ability grouping in selected high schools. Discusses differences in academic conditions in various levels of grouping. Study focused on differences in curriculum content and instructional practices across several levels of ability grouping in United States history classes. (PS)

The most likely legal challenge to assessment centers is racial discrimination. Although validation studies have shown the assessment center to be job related and no equally effective alternative to be available, futher validation will be needed with each new application of assessment centers in certification and employment decisions. (MLF)

The University of Washington has designed a rural track in its master's level training program in early childhood special education. This paper reports on the components of the training program and the results of the first two years of teacher preparation, including placement of trainees in rural practicum sites. (Author/JDD)

Argues that the college preparatory curriculum should include more than three years of mathematics. Presents data indicating that 86 percent of students with less than three years of college preparatory mathematics take remedial mathematics and relatively few students are ready to take calculus when they enter the university. (PK)

Considered in this article addressing the policy issues of educational services to bilingual exceptional children are: characteristics of Hispanic learning disabled students, special education policy and practice, program availability, personnel, identification and placement, programs, and professional development. (DB)

Discusses the rationale and validity for talent searches, with special emphasis on the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). Describes the Precollege and Summer Educational Programs and notes typical results. Discusses the by-mail program and the efforts by TIP to serve as a resource to schools as they develop their own programs.…

Two charts show school type, course length, and qualifications for admission in terms of age and previous education. The 10 school or course types are kindergarten, elementary school, lower secondary school, upper secondary school, special schools for the handicapped, technical college, junior college, university, special training schools, and…

Reports on a project undertaken at St. Louis Community College (MO), during which a sample of technical high school students were tested to establish their knowledge/competency levels in selected data processing subjects in an effort to develop testing procedures and criterion levels for advanced placement. (AYC)

Two-hundred forty-seven students in AP Calculus BC classes in 15 schools were compared to 229 students in college calculus courses in nine colleges, using a testing instrument valid for both groups. The AP Calculus BC students achieved as well as, or better than, their college counterparts. (MNS)