The internal construct validity of the 1989 Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination was analyzed to determine whether the traditional four-factor examination structure hypothesized by test developers (listening, reading, writing, speaking) was invariant for relevant subpopulations. Using a nested hierarchical design, multiple confirmatory…

This digest compares the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 1997, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Comparisons are provided which look at: (1) the type/purpose of each Act; (2) eligibility for services under each Act; (3) whether the Act requires the…

This paper discusses the outcomes of a longitudinal study that investigated whether significant change has occurred in the number of Louisiana students in general education, resource, and separation placements from 1990 to 1999; whether significant differences in placement by age category have continued; and which school systems show a tendency…

This booklet is one of a series designed to assist early childhood general educators, early childhood special educators, related service providers, parents, administrators, and others in understanding what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) now requires for young children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their…

This paper describes the outcomes of a study that explored the significance of the Severity of Illness Rating Scale (SIRS) as a tool for utilization review and program evaluation. The SIRS was first introduced in March 1993 and soon became the centerpiece for the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center's Utilization Review Plan. Since its…

Data from the base-year (kindergarten) collection of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) were used to describe the use of entrance or placement tests prior to kindergarten by schools in the United States that offer kindergarten classes. Also examined were the different ways that schools use the…

This study reviewed scores on measures required to determine students' eligibility for a newly expanded gifted and talented program for grades 3-5. Teachers had recommended 162 students to the program in the 1998-1999 school year, and of these, 100 met requirements for the program based on an ability test. The researchers conducted analyses of…

As part of the Master Plan data gathering process, Florida's Postsecondary Education Planning Commission requested that the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) develop estimates of Associate of Art (AA) graduation rate and student transfer rate from the Community College System (CCS) to the State University System (SUS). The SBCC developed a…

This study reports enrollments in general science, biology, chemistry, and physics in public high schools, the additional science offerings, the number of teachers serving these pupils, class size, grade placement of science subjects, time allotments for recitation and laboratory, and troublesome problems related to the teaching of science. The…

The introduction of the SAT Reasoning Test™ with a writing section in March 2005 and the concomitant elimination of the SAT® Subject Test in Writing after January 2005 have led many colleges and institutions to ask for guidance in using the new SAT Reasoning Test writing section scores for college placement and admissions. Standard-setting…

A case study of a profoundly retarded child is presented to illustrate the problems of placing profoundly handicapped children in public schools. Attention is directed to the frustrations of experienced school personnel and the major issues faced in special education, including identification of related services and the distinction of medical…

Black children are currently underrepresented in the less stigmatized and more prestigious special education classes for learning disabled students. Learning disabilities classification procedures discriminate against Black children. Ohio's placement formula is critiqued, and parents are urged to become politically active on their children's…

Discusses two cases in which Black schoolchildren challenged the validity and cultural fairness of standardized, individually administered intelligence tests; Larry P. versus Riles and PASE versus Hannon. Describes the diametrically opposed outcomes of the decisions, highlights important similarities, and critically analyzes each court's reasoning…

Evaluated the extent to which similar decisions concerning student placement were made by multidisciplinary team members based on varying amounts of assessment information. Found that individuals who reviewed large amounts of information made decisions similar to those who reviewed little information. Found about half the decisions accurate.…

Identified institutional constraints and external pressures perceived by teachers as influential in making referrals. Organizational procedures, the teacher's perception of the competence of referral recipients, and availability of services were cited as institutional constraints. Outside agency influences, government requirements, and concerns of…