Reviews special education court cases regarding support services, student placement, limit on number of designated school days, disciplinary procedures, minimum competency testing, and educational malpractice. (JM)

Three hypotheses adduced from social comparison theory were tested by assessing the self-concepts of 138 normal children, 138 mildly handicapped children in three special education settings (from partial to total segregation), and 46 children with academic difficulties in regular classes. (Author/MC)

Two experiments were designed to see (1) if a cloze procedure is a valid measure of language proficiency (it seems to be) and (2) whether a cloze procedure can distinguish accurately between groups at various instructional levels (it distinguishes levels but the levels overlap). (EKN)

Examined the effectiveness of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (Revised) as a screening instrument for gifted children. Although the PPVT-R may be useful as a screening measure with a general population, it offered little incremental effectiveness as a screening measure with a restricted range of ability. (Author/JAC)

The failure of common methods of research synthesis to arrive at conclusions about effectiveness of special education is discussed. Meta-analysis, the analysis of analyses, is proposed as an alternative. Results of meta-analyses in the areas of special versus regular class placement, process training, and medically-based intervention are…

Two tests of the Descriptive Tests of Mathematics Skills (DTMS) were employed for screening and placement of business majors. For calculus and statistics courses, the average performance level of the students who had passed the DTMS was significantly higher than that for students who had successfully remediated their identified weakness.…

An examination was made of the case records of 29 seven- and eight-year-old children referred for special class placement (18 of whom were recommended for placement and 11 of whom were recommended to remain in regular classes). The incidence of particular developmental, familial, and behavioral problems was compared. (Author/SW)

The article discusses legal and educational concerns with providing services for learning disabled students under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which provides services for schools with underachieving disadvantaged students. (DB)

The author considers possible educational changes in serving learning disabled students and cites opinions of others such as P. Daniels, who advocates return to self-contained classrooms, and J. Goodlad, who suggests that schools are trying to do too much. (CL)

The social status of 40 mildly learning handicapped and 24 nonhandicapped students and their own perceptions of and their ideal preference for social status were investigated. (Author)

The school records of 40 boys and 20 girls placed in special education programs (for learning disabled, educable retarded, or behavior disordered) were examined to compare reasons for referral and placement. Results indicated that boys were more likely to be referred for behavior problems or behavior and academic problems. (DB)

Describes an observational analysis of 34 special education team meetings, in which characteristics of effective team meetings were evaluated. In general, the meetings tended to be unstructured, nongoal-oriented, and limited to the extent in which individuals participated in decision making. Offers recommendations for improved practice.…

One hundred nineteen regular and special education teachers judged placement in a class for emotionally disturbed students more appropriate for Mexican American students than White students when they were given a fictitious case study on an 8 year old child functioning slightly below grade level with mild behavior problems. (CL)

The educational system is the only set of public institutions mandated to ready society's young people for full participation in adult life, including preparation for the labor market. The following suggestions exist in Canada: career guidance and placement centers, labor studies, apprenticeship programs, and labor relations programs. (Author/BEF)