The New Jersey College Basic Skills Placement Test (NJCBSPT) is administered in a new form each year to all entering freshmen in New Jersey public colleges and 12 participating independent colleges. The NJCBSPT was taken by 44,344 students from March through December 1985. Test results revealed the following: (1) 26% were proficient in verbal…

A study was conducted at College of the Sequoias (COS) to examine the entry-level reading and writing skills of students and their grade outcomes in the social science courses for which they were enrolled. The study sought to identify any predictors of students' eventual success/non-success in class. The study focused on the placement test scores…

Designed as a forum for the exchange of information among members of the National Council for Research and Planning, these two journal issues offer 10 articles concerning community college research and planning. The first issue presents: (1) "Just Testing," by Arthur M. Cohen; (2) "Enrollment Patterns of Adult Learning in a Community College," by…

The review of the literature focuses on research assessing the effects of learning disabilities on a child's self-concept. After an introduction, definitions of "learning disabilities" and "self-concept" are offered. The literature on effects of learning disabilities on self-concept in elementary, middle, and high school age children is then…

This descriptive study examined practices in three Texas school districts concerning referral, assessment, and placement of limited English proficient (LEP) Hispanic students in programs for the mentally retarded (MR), and their impact on effectiveness of services for the LEP population. Subjects were 61 Hispanic LEP students (grades 2-5) enrolled…

The commonly-occurring mismatch between second language student and course level, resulting in student boredom or intimidation, is due to overreliance on standardized language tests. These tests emphasize passive skills, such as recognition of grammatical structures and translation, and they ignore the element of communicative competence. As a…

The study examined the effectiveness of strategies and instructional interventions used in the regular classroom setting in one California school district (1984-85) before students were referred to special education. Findings of a survey of 61 teachers from 41 schools indicated that the three most frequently applied strategies were individualized…

This document outlines the Reading Pennsylvania School Districts' Transitional Bilingual Program, designed to successfully integrate all students into the regular school programs as quickly as possible. Students are taught English language skills in a bilingual setting (Spanish being the dominant foreign language) with mathematics, social studies…

A descriptive study reports on attitudes of 24 special day class teachers toward mainstreaming of learning handicapped students and toward practices used to implement mainstreaming. Questionnaires were completed concerning factual, attitudinal, and process information for placement and monitoring in the least restrictive environment (LRE).…

The guide identifies and discusses critical components of high school programs designed to facilitate college placement as well as preparation of potential college-bound learning disabled (LD) secondary students for the demands of college settings. First, secondary programming needs to include integration of LD students into college preparatory…

Perspectives on the roles of academic advisors are considered. It is suggested that academic advisors are often "boundary spanners," those who participate in two or more aspects of the activities of the institution. Academic advisors' functions cut across multidisciplinary lines, affecting curricular decisions and curriculum development,…

The articles in this booklet address the questions raised by the Maine Learning Consortium in its efforts to look closely at, describe, and assess the use of programs such as the Exemplary Center for Reading Instruction (ECRI). Based on interviews with six teachers, the first article examines student achievement gains through the use of ECRI.…

A continuous pupil progress monitoring system was implemented in two elementary schools; 552 students and 38 educational personnel were involved. The monitoring system employed was initially designed to evaluate students receiving special services and their progress toward individual education plan reading goals. The model emphasized direct…

Two studies were conducted to examine the efficacy of direct measurement, standardized achievement tests, and aptitude-achievement discrepancy scores in distinguishing learning disabled (LD) and nonlearning disabled (NLD) students in grades 3 to 6. For both reading (Study I) and written expression (Study II), students' scores on direct and…

The need for appropriate diagnostic and measurement tools for Hispanics and other minority students is emphasized by: (1) problems experienced in properly placing students in language programs as mandated by the provisions of the 1974 "Lau versus Nichols" court decision; (2) the likelihood that Hispanic students will perform poorly in current…