This paper reports on three studies within a 6-year longitudinal study which explored the use of Piagetian sensori-motor substages as a curriculum base for individuals with profound mental retardation (MR). In the first study, a simple observational inventory, the Cognitive Marker Natural Observational Tool (CM-NOT), was developed and evaluated…

Each of the four annual issues of this publication explores a single topic through an interdisciplinary, multicultural approach. Science-based technologies and their impact on the lives of everyday citizens are the focus of this issue. Activities encourage students to think about the profound influence science-based technologies had on U.S.…

This paper describes the structure and activities of the Windham Partnership for Teacher Education, a collaborative of four rural Vermont elementary professional development schools (PDSs), a high school PDS, and the School for International Training graduate program in foreign language teacher education. Three integrated activities are at the…

The guide is designed to help administrators, program directors, counselors, teachers, and other school personnel in providing instructional services for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students. The seven sections address these topics: identification and assessment for instructional and language proficiency levels; assessing for…

Even Start is a family literacy and support program for families with young children. This paper identifies several characteristics of adult learners in order to suggest effective approaches for working with adults to improve literacy skills. The first section presents five case studies illustrating adults with different histories, circumstances,…

Noting that children learn through active involvement and concrete experiences as well as through dialogue about these experiences, this book provides instructional guidelines and class activities to assist the cognitive, social, creative, personal, and physical development of young children based on early childhood research and theory. Chapter 1…

This study gathered information on the certification, licensure, and/or credentialing processes of professional disciplines involved in service delivery to infants, toddlers, and preschool children with special needs, as legislated by Parts H and Part B of Public Law 99-457. The 10 disciplines targeted in the national survey were special…

This curriculum guide, which is intended for middle school agriculture teachers in Virginia, outlines a three-course competency-based agriscience program to give middle school students an understanding of basic science concepts through agriculture. The guide begins with a program description that includes descriptions of the program's three…

The whole language approach to reading instruction emphasizes a literature-based program rather than the traditional skills-related approach. The principles and practices of whole language have engendered both educational and political debate for the following reasons: whole language challenges the traditional educational power arrangement, giving…

The report describes the rationale for and history of an exchange program for Nuevo Leon (Mexico) and New Mexico bilingual education teachers. The program evolved from the need to help Spanish-speaking students maintain their own language and culture while in the United States. New Mexico's state policy concerning language-minority children and…

This book presents a theoretical framework that weaves together three threads: (1) the importance of play in the social, psychological, and intellectual development of children; (2) the human need for personal power and the gratification that challenge in active learning experiences brings to one's feelings of self-worth; and (3) the imperative of…

This paper presents the views of a member of the committee of the Council for Exceptional Children/Council on Education of the Deaf on professional standards. It addresses the professional challenges suggested by these new standards, including collaboration among university programs, state agencies, and local districts to establish compatible…

This study assessed how some key measurement issues were considered in the context of a specific integrated reading and writing assessments conducted at each of seven grade levels in the Riverside (California) Unified School District. Data are reported for the following parameters: (1) test reliability; (2) test validity; (3) scoring; (4) scaling;…

As part of a substance abuse prevention project, a measure was developed in both English and Spanish to measure levels of acculturation among members of a Latino youth population for later comparison of acculturation with high-risk behaviors. The Latino Youth Acculturation Scale (LYAS) consists of 23 items. Eleven items deal with language use of…

Data on students participating in transitional bilingual education programs (TBEs) in Massachusetts, in the 50 local education authorities (LEAs) with such programs, are reported and analyzed. Information presented, in graphic and narrative form, includes the following: an overview of the status of TBE programs in the state, including patterns of…