Examines a youth service bureau over a 20-year period, with a total client population of some 47,000 during this period. Findings indicate that this agency maintained its emphasis on diversion of juveniles from the traditional juvenile justice system not because of funding agency pressure, but because diversion is sound policy. (LKS)

Assessment of the impact of a collaborative inclusion model involving 670 students with disabilities in 26 schools revealed that student growth was similar in the inclusion and "pull-out" models, general and special education teachers felt quality of service had improved with inclusion, and inclusion was associated with lower rates of…

This article describes community-based developmental assessment (CDA) sites as one means for early identification of infants and toddlers with disabilities. At CDA sites, developmentalists assess referred children for developmental status and serve as liaison between the referring physician and the early intervention system. CDA sites are cost…

This survey found significant relationships between 54 general classroom teachers' expectations of student behavior and their judgment of pupils being at risk. Teachers who judged more adaptive behaviors as critical and more maladaptive behaviors as unacceptable judged the absence of more adaptive behaviors and presence of more maladaptive…

This article describes concepts underlying the idea of the "family as a system"; compares and contrasts four approaches to family therapy (those of Virginia Satir, Jay Haley, Murray Bowen, and Salvador Minuchin); and offers suggestions to teachers referring parents for family counseling. (DB)

This study of 439 pupils (grades 1-8) referred for special education evaluation found that both parents and teachers referred primarily for academic reasons. Parents referred higher functioning pupils than teachers referred. White parents were more likely than minority parents to refer their children, but teachers were more likely to refer…

Describes alcohol discipline program developed as forced referral option to combat abusive drinking and encourage responsible drinking on a college campus. Program used small-group format, leaders of varying backgrounds, and highly flexible subject content with 172 college students referred by campus proceedings officer. Evaluations showed that…

Studied 205 children who were subjects of child protection investigations in 1995 in England. Found that for the vast majority, welfare needs were ignored in the process of investigation. Identified the need to refocus investigations and suggested criteria to be used to provide a clearer focus on whether to investigate a referral. (Author/LPP)

Discusses both the background and the current state of treatment of children with disabilities in Russia. Describes the theoretical basis of the modern Russian approach to disability, the current population's needs, and the existing system for referral and rehabilitation. Identifies merging trends and new perspectives on the Russian treatment of…

An 8-year longitudinal study examined bullying and victimization of 580 Finnish youth at ages 8 and 16. Children completed self-reports and were also evaluated by parents and teachers. Findings indicated that both bullying and victimization at age 16 were associated with a wide range of psychological problems at ages 8 and 16 and with referral to…

Examines the legal and ethical issues that can arise when school administrators give references to prospective employers. Reviews common law and statutory protections that shield administrators from lawsuits based on references they give, and provides specific suggestions to minimize legal complications related to references. (SLD)

Teachers' reasons for referral to special education and evaluations of the referral process were studied in a suburban elementary school of about 500 students where prereferral and inclusion were being implemented. Promising impacts of prereferral and inclusion practices are found, and issues surrounding learning disabilities are highlighted. (SLD)

This article reports the findings from two research studies that investigated (1) the early intervention and referral practices knowledge of physicians (n=556) and (2) the practices of 32 Virginia Local Interagency Coordinating Council coordinators. Seventy-five percent of physicians felt knowledgeable about early intervention. Strategies to…

An examination of clinical data from the regional hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, over four years for 538 children with a diagnosis of mental retardation found mild mental retardation referrals were underrepresented in low socioeconomic areas and that paramedical agencies were the primary referral source in these areas. (Author/CR)

Teacher self-reports of the frequency of currently advocated early literacy practices in Grades 1 through 3 were entered into regression models in an effort to predict 3rd-grade outcomes. Explicit skill instruction was a significant predictor of higher passing rates on a state examination and lower rates of special education referral but was also…