The paper interprets the legal meaning and application of the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) principle in the education of handicapped, and particularly deaf children. The role of the Department of Education in interpreting the intent of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, is reviewed with emphasis on the "core…

In 1989, a survey was conducted of 1,003 two-year colleges and 997 four-year colleges to identify criteria used to place students into Calculus I and II, determine respondents' perceptions of the effectiveness of the placement procedures, and gather information on the first-year calculus curricula of the schools. Study findings, based on usable…

In 1987, Santa Barbara City College, California, received a grant to develop valid and culturally fair assessment procedures for placing students into appropriate level courses. Specifically, the project sought to: (1) determine faculty and student perceptions of the skills needed to succeed in entry-level college classes; (2) examine the…

The project sought to clarify the nature and structure of adaptive functioning and to address methodological issues in its assessment, in order to improve placement, evaluation, and instructional decision-making related to adaptive functioning. Project components included: (1) exploration of the structure of adaptive behavior; (2) comparison of…

In 1989, a study was conducted of the mathematics assessment portion of the matriculation process at California's Saddleback College (SC). The two main purposes of the study were to examine student enrollment behavior in recommended mathematics courses as well as to compare the success rates of students who enrolled in the recommended courses with…

The report describes the first 3 years of the Homecoming Project, which was designed to return disabled students in regional special education programs to regular classes in 26 local Vermont schools. Fifty-eight such students (of whom 45% were moderately or severely handicapped) were transitioned into regular classes and 19 other students at risk…

A study examined the processes and criteria of assignment to honors English classes in the context of the transition from middle to high school. Five midwestern school districts--four public school districts and one Catholic diocese--participated in the study. Data consisted of interviews with school staff, school records, and student survey…

This annual collection contains essays relating to instruction in the basic communication course, grading in the basic communication course, evaluating the basic communication course, and the "state" of the basic communication course. Papers in the collection include: "The Future of the Basic Course" (Judy C. Pearson and Paul…

A "best evidence" review synthesis, which incorporates features of meta-analytic and traditional literature reviews, is used in this review of studies on the effects of ability grouping on secondary school students' achievement. The focus was on 29 studies that compared between-class ability grouping to heterogeneous placements. Effect sizes were…

Academic tracking, one of the most enduring and controversial educational practices, is directly implicated as a link among education, future technical/occupational skill, and the welfare of the U.S. national economy. Tracking's most controversial feature is the potentially harmful effects of bad placement decisions based on such nonacademic…

A research project was conducted in 1982 by Sacramento City College's Assessment Center to evaluate the effectiveness of selected English courses found in three levels of English: English 55 and 56 (the lowest level); English 57 (level two), and English 1A (level three). The study focused on students who had reading and English scores required for…

Careful design of assessment procedures to be used with disadvantaged students is especially important because these students are likely to have one or more characteristics and/or attitudes that place them at particular risk of dropping out (for example, poor self-concept, fear of failure, low level of aspiration, dependence on peer group…

The handbook reviews Wisconsin's use of the designated vocational instructor (DVI) in providing direct instructional support services for vocational educators and special education students enrolled in vocational education classes. DVIs facilitate cooperative relationships between special and vocational education at the local school level. Eight…

A review of the literature is presented on developmental mathematics courses in two- and four-year colleges and universities. The paper is organized within the categories of status studies, placement, program evaluation, class management, student characteristics, and thought processes. Highlights of the report include: (1) an average of 2.0…

Educators need to alleviate the problems experienced by students in making the transition from one institution and/or program to another. These movements result in unnecessary duplication and use of educational resources and can cause students to lose valuable time, effort, and motivation. To interrelate secondary and postsecondary vocational…