This commentary responds to a critique (EC 601 711) of a paper (EC 211 387) concerning use of cluster analysis to develop a taxonomy of lifestyles of families with severely mentally retarded children. The commentary considers the model to be useful in social science inquiry, and properly validated when using cluster analytic techniques. (JDD)

Dichotomous key for 18 woods in common domestic and architectural use in Britain is provided. It is based upon structures visible with the naked eye and a hand-lens. Descriptions of the necessary anatomy and terminology are given. Timbers include yew, pine, spruce, oak, sweet chestnut, elm, ash, teak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, box, beech,…

Three activities in which students identify and demonstrate similarities and differences in plants and in plant growth are presented. The activities include background information, objectives for the tree ring activities, a list of needed materials, procedures, evaluation procedures, and a glossary. (KR)

A sample of 1,237 university students completed the Institutional Barriers Instrument regarding institutional, dispositional, situational, and physical barriers to participation. Factor analysis identified four deterrents: (1) lack of confidence; (2) family responsibilities; (3) institutional encouragement; and (4) time. (SK)

Describes a study that was designed to gather information about teachers' perspectives on achievement testing and to describe where the competency-based testing in the CUES (Continuous Uniform Evaluation System) program fits into the teachers' overall plans for teaching and assessing students. Recommendations for instructional design and teacher…

Examines economic, social, and fiscal indicators available from federal data sources that can be used in classification systems for rural school districts. Compares the strengths and weaknesses of the various indicators. Recommends that researchers use multiple indicators or alternative data sources to mitigate potential problems of unintentional…

New developments emerging from a study of organizational effectiveness in Australia's system of higher education are reported, and a second study is also described. The results have established a four-group typology of institutions: classical universities, institutes of technology, colleges of advanced education, and other institutions.…

In two experiments, five year olds produced more instances in slot-filler categories than taxonomic categories, and eight year olds produced more instances in taxonomic categories than slot-filler categories; for five year olds, slot-filler categories led to superior recall and shorter response latencies than did taxonomic categories. (BB)

Fifty two- to three-year olds performed paired-associate or control tasks with response items that were related or unrelated. Children in the related task performed more slowly than children in the unrelated task. Findings suggest that children in the related task experienced interference in the acquisition or retrieval of paired-associate items.…

Examined records of 137 students to determine extent to which preassessment data (teacher referral information and standardized reading test scores) could predict handicapping classifications decided on by child-study teams. Results indicated that preassessment data could successfully predict handicapped classifications of most special education…

Two discriminant function analyses were conducted to determine the cognitive/educational profile which differentiated 4 groups of 68 elementary/secondary level students: attention deficit disorder (ADD), with and without medication; learning disabilities (LD); and nonhandicapped. By treating the LD and nonmedicated ADD subjects as one group, a…

In this qualitative study, 43 Black undergraduates (65 percent females) were interviewed and asked to describe the bases of academic success, particularly success by Blacks within predominantly White institutions. Subjects' responses indicate the importance of including beliefs about how one is perceived by others in taxonomies of…

Discussion of special libraries focuses on the library of the Kenya National Museum. Topics discussed include services offered by special libraries; the role of special librarians; acquisition of materials; organization of materials; interlibrary loans; current awareness service; and the role of the parent organization. (11 references) (LRW)

Discusses a new model of concept learning called prototype theory and describes an experiment with nursing education students in which the differential effects of prototype formation on classification were explored through an instructional program on the concept of shock. Hypotheses tested are discussed and results of pretests and posttests are…

This paper considers opposing viewpoints on usefulness of the classification of "street children" in an international context and proposes a working compromise based on a hierarchy of street use, from minimal to total dependency on the streets. Different types of education/welfare intervention are needed at these different levels. (DB)