British college students (n=414) were paired with mentors in their work placements. In many cases, learner and mentor had little contact, but learners obtained support for workplace learning from other sources. Managers were not ideal mentors. Relevant expert knowledge, formal mentoring relationships, and training of mentors were considered…

Argues that standardized tests can provide limited guidance, in conjunction with student writing samples, in the decision whether students should be exempted from freshmen writing courses. Suggests that students who write well but whose performance is unstable can be affected, positively or negatively, by exemption results. Suggests that students'…

Presents results from a national survey of two-year colleges regarding placement practices for calculus. High school records were the most important factor, followed by placement test results and college entrance examination scores. (DMM)

Analyzed are court decisions supporting both integrated and nonintegrated placements as least restrictive environments for students with severe handicaps. Issues considered by the courts include appropriateness, exportability of services, opportunity for growth, district preferences, and alternatives for educators. Factors supporting segregated…

Using scores from a single standardized test to make student placement decisions for reading groups, advanced placement classes, magnet schools, or remedial education programs is inappropriate. Recent research shows that teachers' judgments provide as accurate an estimate of student ability as standardized test results. Using multiple measures…

Analyzes pupil-specific public school data from the 1988 National Education Longitudinal Study. Applies instrumental-variable econometric methods to account for nonrandom allocation of students to different class sizes and the endogenous class-size variable. Improved data and statistical techniques indicate returns to investing in smaller classes…

Reacts to previous arguments regarding verbal and performance constructs of Wechsler Scales. Contends that general factor model is more plausible representation of data for these scales. Suggests issue is moot when considered in regards to practical applications. Supports analysis of needed skills and instructional environments in educational…

Thomas Hehir, special education chief of Chicago Public Schools, is evangelist of integrating children with disabilities into regular classrooms. By completely reorganizing department viewed as political patronage dumping ground, Hehir has made remarkable progress in handling large number of children awaiting evaluation and placement in special…

Surveyed 260 school districts about kindergarten screening tests. Found tremendous variability in responses: 34 different tests were used in screening; main purposes of screening were to identify handicapped and gifted students, group students in kindergarten classes, make school readiness placements, and plan and individualize instruction.…

Basic information about epilepsy is provided for special education teachers. Epilepsy is seen as primarily a symptom and is not, by itself, a reason for special education placement. Epilepsy may, however, also occur in cases where learning difficulties are the sequelae of generalized brain damage. (DB)

Disabled children placed in regular classrooms are supposed to get special services so that they can participate academically and socially without disrupting other students' learning. Since most states and school districts are adopting full inclusion to save money, such services are unlikely. Requiring all disabled children to be included in…

Surveyed 260 school districts in New York to determine whether they offered pre-first transition classes for children identified as unready for first grade and, if so, what information was used to make placement decision. Fifty-seven percent of districts reported that they had pre-first classes. All reported using teacher recommendations in…

Parents (N=41) of special education students and parents (N=93) of general education students whose children were placed in integrated elementary classrooms were surveyed. Both groups of parents were equally satisfied with the integrated option, and parents' satisfaction levels either held constant or improved after several months with the…

A centralized relational database is used to manage information on advanced practice nursing students and their preceptors at Johns Hopkins University. The system relieves faculty of time-consuming tasks and enables rapid report generation, consistent tracking, and timely communications. (SK)

Western Pennsylvania school district administrators (n=187) were surveyed about their attitudes toward a specialized facility for blind students with concomitant severe disabilities. Among findings were a 94% satisfaction with the school's program qualities and a 77% dissatisfaction with state funding for special education. Most felt their…