Differences in standards for identifying gifted students in the elementary and secondary schools can cause problems. These usually result from an emphasis on interdisciplinary units of study in the elementary grades and tightly structured departmentalized middle/junior high schools. (DB)

Initially school personnel tended to select devices with technically adequate reliability and validity. As decision making continued, technically inadequate devices were selected more often. More emphasis on the importance of technically adequate assessment devices is needed in training school professionals. (Author)

This article discusses the question of segregating Spanish-speaking pupils, with reference to New Jersey law and practice. Benefits of native language teaching are weighed against the social isolation this imposes on Hispanic students. Attitudes of Hispanic parents, court doctrine, and desegregation practices which focus only on race are analyzed.…

Five articles highlight issues concerning special needs students in vocational agriculture education. The authors discuss the decision to place exceptional students in vocational agriculture classes; helping the handicapped student adjust in vocational agriculture; teacher education for special needs students at Penn State; and innovations in…

A followup study was done on the status of 24 students out of an original 1973 sample of 106 Canadian first graders who had been considered by their teachers to show atypical learning patterns and had been given a battery of assessment tests. (Author/DLS)

Discusses a publication on the technical adequacy of tests used in simulated decison making. Suggests the use of poor diagnostic instruments can incorrectly influence a multidisciplinary team making student placement decisions. Authors respond to Wright's criticism. (JAC)

Describes a study to compare the relative validities of ranking v categorical rating procedures for obtaining student vocational preference data in exploratory program assignment situations. Students indicated their vocational program preferences from career clusters, and the frequency of wrong assignments made by each method was analyzed. (MF)

Analyzed WISC-R profiles along a three-factor approach for purposes of differential diagnosis. Profiles of 278 school-verified learning disabled children were compared to those of Educable Mentally Impaired (N=141), Emotionally Impaired (N=67), Otherwise Impaired (N=61), and Nonimpaired (N=294). Resulting data was not useful in differential…

Reviews the importance of assessment in placing students in two-year college composition courses and describes the development of the objective English Qualifying Examination used at Northern Virginia Community College. Includes sample test items. (MKM)

The authors consider the implementation of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) as it relates to educational programing for the severely and profoundly retarded. Their position focuses on three basic issues involving anticipated levels of learning, personnel training, and the appropriate locus of educational services.…

Discusses various test types, and specifically the placement test for German as a foreign language at Bonn University, describing the segments: multiple-choice questions and "fill-in" dictations based on given texts. Test content varies according to students' nationality. Grading procedures are also described. (IFS/WGA)

Proposes a system to restore equity to public education while encouraging cultural pluralism. Advocates separating the decision-making responsibilities for finance, school design and operation, and school assignment of students. (Author/IRT)

The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale project, "Pilot Program for Training Placement Personnel," is intended to provide participants training as placement specialists with competencies enabling them to organize and operate a comprehensive school-based career planning and placement center, and to develop a model system that can be…

Examines school readiness practices, along with the conceptual problems with the ways that "readiness" and "at risk" are defined. Analyzes methodological problems, delayed school entrance, and focuses on studies that examined future school retention rates, later use of special education services, and drop-out rates. Offers suggestions for best…

School personnel often misclassify a conduct-disordered student as severely emotionally disturbed, following a serious offense. Educators must remember, however, that mislabeling a child to obtain services, prevent expulsion, or remove the child to a special classroom is both inappropriate and unethical. Legal language should be clarified, and…