To summarize knowledge on the effects of grouping and tracking in secondary schools, this synthesis uses ethnographic research to interpret the findings of survey analyses, and uses survey studies to assess the causal implications and degree to which ethnographic findings can be generalized. Survey studies consistently report that academic-track…

The report presents findings of the second and third year of a study of the Less Restrictive Placement Personnel Training (LRP) program, designed to develop materials and training to increase the number of students mainstreamed into general education. In the final 2 years of the 3-year program, LRP expanded to include all special education regions…

The volume is designed to help attorneys, paralegals, and other interested persons to act as advocates for handicapped children. The first chapter provides an overview of federal laws concerning the education of the handicapped (including provisions in the constitution). Chapter 2 lists characteristics and needs of mental retardation, hearing…

Forty-four randomly selected parents of handicapped students from two New England school districts described their level of participation in special education referral, planning, and placement process by responding to questions either in writing or orally in a telephone interview. Among responses were the following: 93% of parents were notified of…

Discipline of handicapped students is the topic of the lead article in this publication. The author first reviews recent cases regarding expulsion of handicapped students, including "Kaelin v. Grubbs," a 1982 case finding that the same due process procedures that apply to changing the educational placement for handicapped students must…

Presented here are two models that can be used to solve distribution problems, such as assigning teachers to students, teachers to courses, or special students to schools. The models, the assignment model and the transportation model, are termed evaluation models under a definition of evaluation that delineates its function as that of serving…

The document offers a historical perspective, practical suggestions, and guidelines for assessment, placement, and programming of bilingual handicapped students. Chapter 1 on the scope of the problem looks at student, personnel, and instrument variables affecting assessment of bilingual exceptional students. Among the factors discussed are…

Because the stratified levels in schools and school systems bear widely accepted symbolic statuses, a student's position in the hierarchy may influence the pattern of his or her educational career independently of scholastic achievement. A study was conducted to investigate the simultaneous effects of the rank of students' reading groups in first…

Designed for trustees, administrators, practitioners, and students, this manual articulates a philosophical basis for student services in Illinois community colleges, and describes, categorizes, and provides guidelines for various aspects of these services. Introductory material outlines the characteristics of the state's community colleges that…

Three kinds of instructionally sensitive achievement tests are described which provide useful information on formal schooling proficiencies: placement, progress, and attainment tests. Procedures to design, develop, and empirically verify attainment and placement tests are presented. The methodology is designed to ensure that the test instruments…

A degree of controversy and debate exists about the best educational experiences to fulfil the potential of gifted students. Special class placement can give good educational experiences and opportunities for gifted students. However, Marsh and Parker (1984) described the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) where equally able students have lower…

Designed as a resource guide for teachers, the manual provides information on procedures and forms for developing individualized education programs (IEPs) for handicapped students. An introductory session reviews the purpose of P.L. 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the law's requirements for IEPs. Presented are sample IEP…

The report cites research on educators' knowledge and understanding of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), the ability of a typical school staff to implement P.L. 94-142, and elements restrictive to providing the instructional program. Noted among findings were the following: although a student provided with special…

The edumetric adequacy of curriculum-based reading measures were examined for two basal reading programs. On the basis of reading aloud performance, 91 elementary students were assigned seven instructional placement scores within each basal series. Students also were measured on standardized reading achievement tests. Generally, correlations…