Focuses on how to define "writing" that can account for the interplay between spoken and written expressions, among other things. Specific sections discuss the definition of "writing," the concept of writing and the future development of writing, "integrational semiology," closing in on writing or excluding its more recent developments, and a…

This article summarizes the current understanding of the "quality of life" construct as applied to people with mental retardation. It examines previous definitions and suggests a definition involving eight life dimensions including emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, social inclusion, and rights. The definition…

This article presents an overview of the definitional and boundary issues of the term "school violence" as used in research applied prevention programs and provides an overview of what is known about the occurrence of violent and related high-risk behaviors on school campuses. (Contains extensive references.) (Author/CR)

This article, anchored in current self psychology theory, defines the self experience as the person's subjective experience of organization and meaning. Traits of giftedness, and the reactions of others to these, are seen to contribute to the gifted self experience. Social and emotional problems of giftedness are thought to be based on a…

Defines historical research in music education by specifically evaluating the history and usage of each of the four words: (1) music; (2) historical; (3) education; and (4) research. Finds that the good of historical research in music education is both intrinsic and extrinsic because it benefits the researchers and their audiences. (CMK)

Discussion of the teaching of history within British National Curriculum standards focuses on government reports of practice in 100 special schools for pupils with severe and profound learning disabilities. It finds that the way inspectors are interpreting "history" includes redefinition of traditional special school practice and an…

Describes two hours in the life of an eight-year-old to demonstrate that children acquire information and develop language skills from multiple sources. Argues that the conceptualization of literacy must be broadened from reading and writing skills to a definition that recognizes the layering of information and that includes all forms of the…

This paper discusses the need to internationalize evaluation measures; unify criteria for rehabilitation scales; and refine the definitions of impairment, disability, and handicap. A model based on the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicap (ICIDH) scales is presented, depicting the components of somatogenesis,…

This response to "Behavior Disorders: A Postmodern Perspective" (David Elkind) rejects the postmodern notion that there can be no common narratives and proposes three possible metanarratives that could be useful in thinking about behavioral disorders: democracy, spirituality, and the notions of Nick Hobbs. (CR)

The extent to which variables from a previous study (P. Mosenthal, 1996) on document processing influenced difficulty on 165 tasks from the pose scales of five national adult literacy scales was studied. Three process variables accounted for 78% of the variance when prose task difficulty was defined using level scores. Implications for computer…

Analysis of questionnaire responses of 280 women found that 28.2% were objectively defined as abused as children though only 11.4% subjectively defined themselves as abused. Depression was highest (83%) among those who defined themselves as abused, intermediate (56%) among those only objectively defined as abused, and least (35%) among those not…

Describes briefly how the junior section of one Hong Kong school handled major problems by adopting a total-quality-management approach to change and restructuring. Describes the school's problems, discusses TQM generally in educational settings, describes the new "homestead" implementation, and comments on teachers' and students'…

Enhances understanding of values-education issues by addressing research on moral and ethical development. Presents Damon's tripartite distinction among moral reflection, moral emotion, and moral conduct--head, heart, and habit--to show moral development's complexity. Although promoting prosocial behavior is parents' responsibility, literature is…

Discusses the origin of the categories of relational, social, and indirect aggression in Finnish studies on the nature of female aggression, arguing that all three names represent the same issue. Considers early research into the developmental origins of indirect aggression, and the role of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression as three…

Responds to issues raised by Archer and Bjorkvist, focusing on four issues: definitions; normality, deviance, and context; developmental origins and outcomes; and getting along. (JPB)