The authors state that business educators should collect student profile data in order to determine how to improve student performance. Types of information needed include (1) reasons for taking the course, (2) career interests, (3) prior learning experiences, and (4) levels of knowledge and skill. Use of this information is discussed. (CH)

Examined is the impact of childhood head trauma on the family, focusing on cognitive, psychomotor, emotional, and behavioral sequelae; a review of relevant research pertaining to family reactions following head trauma; and a description of family needs, coping abilities, intervention, and advocacy. (JDD)

Based on conversations with preschool children about their feelings, offers eight suggestions for teachers to help children share their concerns, and describes five ways of using information obtained from children to improve the services of the child care center. Includes an annotated bibliography. (BB)

Examined conversations among a group of kindergarten girls who used the school-defined task of writing to maintain social cohesion in their peer social interactions. Because of the genres and form of their writing, they were able to use the writing to further individual status aspirations, which created tensions within the group. (42 references)…

The National Association of Elementary School Principals has developed standards designed to help schools and school districts meet their obligations to parents of young children. Four of the group's recommendations are offered. (DG)

Suggests that the keys to interacting effectively with culturally or linguistically different students with special needs are the awareness of helper professionals' of their own values and cultures; professionals' understanding of their clients' cultural differences; and the provision of services in culturally appropriate ways. (MAB)

Argues that African Americans should join other groups in developing a national family policy that will assist all families. Considers the unique needs of the African American family, and the possible counterproductive effects of singling out their problems to address nationally. Discusses attitudes toward family policy. (JS)

Conducted study of rural homelessness in Ohio. Of 919 homeless adults interviewed, 247 were heading family units; 480 children were in these families. More than two-thirds of families were headed by single parents. Found differences in demographic characteristics of rural homeless population as compared to urban counterparts. Findings have…

Reviews core values which form the basis for person-centered planning. Looking to the future, the authors then examine key system and skill problems, suggesting solutions where possible. Concludes that more emphasis must be paid to specific traits of individual clients, and that shifts in power relationships must occur in keeping with the model's…

Reviews the literature on the role of play in a young child's development and describes the development of a preschool play-based curriculum for children with disabilities. Distinguishes types of play and discusses important play spaces in the physical environment, adult/child interactions, accommodations to meet individual needs, and assessment.…

Notes that classroom management is an important part of teaching, and discusses movement, music, and drama as effective classroom-management tools for difficult parts of the daily routine. Offers examples of songs, chants, finger plays, and other activities to ease the stress of waiting, or to help meet the physical and emotional demands of young…

States that a tendency has developed to orientate educational-practical acting using learners' educational needs, while representatives of the employment system deduce political and practical educational maxims from requirements that result from economic structural changes. Defines the instructional importance of individual educational needs and…

Investigated differences in normative and subjective outcomes for group of adolescent children born in India and adopted by American families. Found that although these adoptees could be considered unsuccessful compared to accepted standards of adjustment because 46 percent were identified as having special needs, in fact the children were pleased…

Thirty adults with mild mental retardation and 50 first-year psychology students were surveyed regarding their sexual knowledge, experience, feelings, and needs. Subjects with mental retardation had less knowledge, more negative attitudes toward sexual issues, and less experience in intimacy and sexual intercourse, but more experience in…

Demonstrates how the Gestalt Approach can be useful in facilitating systems design for educational change. This approach focuses on awareness of the process that the group is involved with and helps to create an environment where individual and group concerns can be integrated and harmonized. Discusses the "Cycle of Experience" and…