Questions the adequacy with which the giftedness construct is defined in applied educational settings, and the adequacy of the validation data available for these gifted identification procedures. (Author/BJV)

Psychiatric evaluation of 14 males (ages 3-27 years) with the fragile X syndrome found pervasive hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attentional deficits, and a significant degree of anxiety. However, diagnostic criteria for persistent pervasive developmental disorder and autism were not met. (Author/DB)

Results of three investigations of the development of word definitions indicated that younger childrens' definitions, including use or lack of use of superordinate categorical terms, fell short of adult informativeness, while, by age 10, children generally met such criteria in their definitions. (Author/CB)

Describes a national survey aimed at defining effectiveness for public libraries that asked 7 constituent groups (library managers, staff, trustees, users, friends of the library, local officials, and community leaders) to rate the importance of 61 effectiveness indicators. The complex and multidimensional nature of the results is discussed and…

Argues that writing instruction is most effective when instruction focuses on inquiry which includes: utilizing concrete data, solving problems by using thinking strategies inherent in various writing tasks, focusing on student-centered problems, and encouraging student interaction with a minimum of teacher lecture. (JAD)

Findings of two experiments support the contention that children and adults are capable of using both hypothetical counter-exemplar reasoning and functionality to make definitional category judgments. Results are discussed in terms of Richards and Goldfarb's (1986) model of episodic memory and are related to other evidence that children possess…

A person does not need to be culturally literate (as defined by E.D. Hirsch) to read American contemporary fiction. This article explores alternative definitions, barriers to cultural literacy, and suggestions for change: building on students' interests, providing out-of-classroom learning experiences, sharing anecdotal material, and emphasizing…

Interview responses of 72 fifth-, eighth-, and eleventh-graders revealed developmental changes in the scope and nature of perceived peer influence and in the extent to which peer group reactions have an impact on self-evaluations. Developmental changes in the apparent reference-group functions of peer groups for adolescent identity formation are…

The paper develops the phonological-core variable difference model to conceptualize differences between dyslexic and other poor readers. The model highlights the importance of viewing the concept of dyslexia as the outcome of the application of an arbitrary criterion in a continuous distribution. (Author/DB)

Assessment batteries of 200 elementary children with learning disabilities were analyzed to identify practices associated with the use of individual intelligence and achievement tests. Among conclusions: Many students identified as SLD have below-average intelligence, do not exhibit discrepancies on the Wechsler scale, and do not have severe…

This paper examines how sustainable development can be defined and some of the contradictions involved with the concept. The policy implications of sustainable development are examined, with a particular emphasis on industry and employment. (LZ/Author)

Devising better definitions and measures of school choice practices and policies would improve understanding of choice and help evaluate its prevalence and effects. This article proposes system/district-level indicators of school choice that could operationalize the concept and produce valuable interdistrict comparative information on choice…

This response to a critique (EC 610 427) of the authors' article on curriculum-based assessment notes the use of an operational definition of "curriculum" in their original article and restates their concern that too many teachers believe that assessment is wedded to the specific materials of instruction. (DB)

Investigates whether textbooks are appropriate for a college library collection. Discussion includes an overview of collection development policies; the definition of a textbook; textbook references; and selection criteria for evaluating a textbook=FEs desirability as a library resource. (28 references) (SLW)

Critically reviews mentoring for new British principals, focusing on program characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Mentoring facilitates peer support, helps newcomers make necessary role identity changes, and encourages reflective practice. There are problems with pairing practitioners and mentors, passing on outmoded advice, and…