This hermeneutic, or interpretive, inquiry questions the historical cultural roots of the assumption that giftedness is defined in terms of essential properties that identify a select few children. It proposes, instead, a gifted way of life that is constituted by possibilities and is open to all persons. The hermeneutic paradigm of textual…

Arguments are presented for conceptualizing validity within a postmodern approach. Validity, reliability, and generalizability have been a holy trinity of social science research, and standard definitions of validity have been taken from criteria developed for psychometric tests. From a postmodern point of view, validity is sometimes discarded as…

Metacognition has received recent attention by researchers and teachers alike because of the possibilities for successful instruction and intervention for readers at all levels. This paper explores the area of metacognition as it relates specifically to reading comprehension. The paper addresses six areas: (1) the definitions of metacognition,…

Noting that electronic technology is becoming more advanced and more available, this paper argues that current conceptions of literacy as the ability to read and write should be expanded to include electronic reading and writing. The paper discusses: (1) four ways in which electronic texts are different from printed texts; (2) how students can be…

This fact sheet offers definitions of the three types of spina bifida, outlines their incidence, describes characteristics of individuals with spina bifida, and reviews educational implications. The fact sheet emphasizes that school programs should be flexible to accommodate these students' special needs and frequent absences, that children with…

This policy paper defines apprenticeship in terms of eight essential components, explains what apprenticeship is not, and recommends how the term should be used. As defined by the eight components, apprenticeship is: (1) a training strategy that combines supervised, structured, on-the-job training with related instruction and that is sponsored by…

In addition to a literature review emphasizing definitions, statistics, and legislation concerning learning disabilities, this paper presents the results of a 1987 survey of academic libraries regarding their services for postsecondary learning disabled students. Responses (n=525) to the questionnaire indicated that, as a group, academic…

The paper traces the origins of the definitions of autism, notes controversies over its etiology, and discusses the wide variety of intervention approaches used. Psychoeducational approaches, such as play therapy and B. Bettelheim's psychoanalytic approach, are described and criticized in terms of premises and the anecdotal nature of evaluation…

Article presented a number of definitions of reading with the advantages and disadvantages of reading taxonomies. (RK)

A list of successful art activities that teachers had used with special education children were presented. Additionally, discussion groups reported on defining the terms associated with art therapy and the goals of art education. Recommendations for continued program meetings on the finer issues of special education were included. (RK)

The following four dimensions are discussed: 1) Indian education; 2) Indians in education; 3) education for Indians; and 4) education about Indians. (Author/JC)

This essay identifies conceptual directions, as alternatives for development, of a model for the implementation of accountability systems in schools. In his discussion, the author draws a fundamental distinction between relatively mechanical assessments of the performance of operations and relatively qualitative evaluations of the consequences of…

Reviewed are the provisions of the Headstart, Economic Opportunity Community Partnership Act of 1974 which amended an earlier law to require that 10 percent of children enrolled in Head Start programs within each state be handicapped. (DB)

Past accountability definitions have been narrowly defined using accomplishment/cost approaches. Positive outcome data have been obtained for counseled applicants, but the counseling function is still being questioned. This article proposes expanding the concept of counselor accountability and introduces a multi-approach to accountability. (Author)