Focuses on problems with current referral-to-placement procedures that require a student to be found eligible for special education services before serving the student. Federal and state education agencies are urged to collaborate to support partnerships between special and general education to provide better outcomes for all students. (CR)

This article describes the problem-solving model (PSM) used in the Minneapolis Public Schools to guide decisions regarding intervention in general education, special education referral, and evaluation for special education eligibility for high-incidence disabilities. Program evaluation indicates students received special education services earlier…

This study explored relative contributions of variables underlying 30 elementary teachers' referral judgments. Best predictors of referral were teachers' judgments about presence of behavioral problems and students' academic competence, while demography, off-task behavior, and teachers' stress failed to contribute significantly. (Contains…

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind offers services to individuals with vision loss due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Described are the concerns and feelings of staff members, public and staff education activities, establishment of a referral and service delivery system, and rehabilitative and other services offered. (JDD)

A model is proposed integrating curriculum based assessment and the "suspicion of disability" standard of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94 142) in the identification of students with reading problems. The model is founded on the developmental, corrective, and remedial strands of reading, and requires documentation…

This article discusses instructional strategies likely to be effective with culturally and linguistically diverse students regardless of placement. It addresses assessment and misclassification; overreferral or underreferral; differing approaches to second language instruction; and the importance of transfer between languages, opportunities for…

Teachers who believe that a particular preschooler is not progressing normally can use the suggestions in this article at conferences with the preschooler's parents. Methods for getting more information to parents and working with parents to arrange for a referral are discussed. (BB)

The decision-making process for determining special education eligibility for students who may have behavior disorders is considered biased because of the subjectivity inherent in the process. Assessment procedures should allow for cultural freedom. Certain minority groups are still vulnerable to discriminatory practices within the field of…

This article offers pediatricians a practical approach to identifying children (birth to three years) with developmental delays. The article discusses evidence of the effectiveness of early intervention, legislation mandating early intervention services, child-find activities, procedures for referral to the early intervention system, services…

Discussion of public libraries' information and referral services for culturally diverse communities focuses on a study conducted in southern California that examined the information seeking behavior of ethnolinguistic gatekeepers in minority communities. Topics addressed include information and referral models; information sources; the perception…

Written feedback was collected from 170 parents and professionals concerning psychoeducational reports about 80 children referred to pediatric hospitals for suspected learning difficulties. Reports were generally rated favorably for understandability, explanatory value, and utility. Parents gave lower ratings for understandability and reported…

This study pursues an empirically derived description of parent self-efficacy and parent empowerment specific to the context of clinic-referred preschool children. Parent internal perceptions of stress, family functioning, stress due to child condition, and extrafamilial influences were considered in separate predictive models of parent…

A study assessed bullying and psychological disturbance among 5,813 elementary children in Finland. More boys than girls were found to be involved in bullying, and children involved in bullying, especially children who both bullied and were bullied, were psychologically disturbed. Bully victims were most likely to be referred for psychiatric…

Heavy drinking continues to be a nationally recognized problem on college campuses. This article describes how student affairs professionals play a pivotal role in identifying and referring these students for relevant services. A five-step model for alcohol screening, advising, and referral is described using motivational enhancement strategies.

This study examined placement stability (planned discharge) among 8,933 children and adolescents admitted into residential treatment facilities in California. Reducing multiple placements among foster children is a concern for child welfare agencies due to increased emphasis on federal and state outcomes and accountability standards. The results…