This memorandum from the federal Office of Special Education Programs to chief state school officers presents questions and answers related to the obligations of public agencies in serving children with disabilities who are placed by their parents in private schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. The 45…

This bulletin summarizes and attempts to analyze followup activities now provided by teacher-preparing institutions supported by State funds. It points out college activities that are contributing to the development of better school programs in college service areas, to the improvement of college programs for teachers-to-be, and to increased…

Philosophical, technical, and practical considerations in selecting and evaluating educational tests for exceptional children are discussed. The following major technical considerations are addressed: validity, reliability, sensitivity, appropriateness, objectivity, and feasibility. (SEW)

Describes problems with the traditional small college placement programs and suggests methods of incorporating career planning and placement into the overall student development program. The role of the placement director is considered and also activities that emphasize career development. Obstacles to installing a new program are noted. (RC)

Subscribes to a "right-to-succeed" policy. Recommends eliminating time-frame descriptions in community college program catalogs, prohibiting full-time enrollment by working students, preassessing entering students' entry-level skills, and using assessment data for proper placement in college-level courses. (DMM)

In order to help students make the transition from education to work, it is suggested that college counselors and administrators need an operating theory about student development and an information system that provides regular feedback on student outcomes. Student involvement is discussed as one operating theory. (Author/MLW)

Describes South Suburban College's implementation of the Structured Open Access Model, an interventionist system that responds to underprepared students. (YKH)

Describes a study comparing English course-level placement based on writing samples and standardized placement scores, as well as two different methods of grading writing samples. Results support the use of writing samples to supplement standardized placement scores as well as the use of a group holistic method of grading writing samples. Includes…

Focuses on the role of tests in assessing the reading comprehension of students of English as a Second Language. The article suggests that if tests are to be useful in placing students and developing instruction, they need to provide information about the reading processes of immediate interest. (83 references) (CK)

This study classified the characteristics of 103 at-risk first grade children and their classroom environments over a one- to four-year period. Found that individual seatwork as an instructional arrangement increased the risk of special placement, whereas small group work was associated with nonplacement for children with possible learning…

Three case studies in southern California explore the effects of parental involvement on a child's reading achievement through the parent's influence over reading group placement. Two Hispanic first-graders improved substantially when their parents took actions explicitly related to reading group placement; a third remained in a low reading group.…

Empirical research pertinent to understanding the extent and effects of teacher collective bargaining in public schools in the United States is reviewed. Compensation bargaining over teacher salaries, bargaining over working conditions (grievance procedures, time, minimum fairness), and educational policy bargaining (curriculum, student placement,…

Congressional intent and regulations, and court decisions interpreting the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, recognize the preference for mainstreaming handicapped children. Cases discussed indicate that mainstreaming is secondary to the goal of the Act to provide an appropriate education that meets the unique needs of each handicapped…

This article discusses issues in referral and special education instruction for students from language-minority groups. It discusses inadequacies in assessment and placement; development of effective and feasible instructional strategies through collaboration between bilingual education and special education; and potential solutions involving both…

This narrative of a graduate student with deafness describes her experiences in various educational environments including oral communication, total communication, and mainstreamed. The article emphasizes the role of parents as the child's best advocates and advises parents to trust their own instincts and not accept the authority of professionals…