The authors respond to questions from parents and teachers about gifted students. Topics covered include ways for parents to help in their child's education, distinctions between giftedness and talent, regular class teachers' concerns over placement in gifted programs, and acceleration and enrichment programs. (CL)

Describes the development of a student placement program for freshman composition. (MKM)

This study investigated the understanding of and reasoning about geometry of 120 mathematically talented students in the sixth through eight grades prior to taking a course in geometry. Results found that, although the students were able to deduce meaning from context, they lacked understanding of basic definitions, concepts, and properties.…

New Zealand cooperative education students participated in mock and preemployment employer interviews. Responses from 10 students and 10 employers showed that most students had no formal interview experience and were apprehensive about preplacement interviews. Trial interviews improved self-efficacy through exposure to employer questions and…

A case study of a science-technology major illustrates the thinking and praxis changes that occurred in cooperative work placements. He became enculturated to research science through his experience in communities of practice. (Contains 30 references.) (SK)

A study investigated the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in children (ages 5-11) in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. Using 1999 data from public records, screening instruments, educational psychology and special education needs coordinator records, a prevalence of almost 0.6% was found, with a ratio of 4:1 males to females. (Contains…

Considers what the best assessment practices are for ESL (English as a Second Language) and international students at two- and four-year institutions in the United States. Presents results of an Internet search of one set of prominent American institutions' placement practices. Argues that second language composition specialists need to examine…

Agrees with Susan Allan's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue that ability grouping research is often misinterpreted--to the disservice of students. Reviewers should distinguish among three types of programs that differ according to curricular adjustment and acceleration effects. Blanket condemnation of all three types is…

Presents descriptive data for youth referred for evaluation as either status offender or delinquent; presents academic achievement and intellectual functioning data of this group; describes distribution of nonhandicapped and mildly handicapped students and educational services provided prior to evaluation. (Author)

Researchers have long contended that tracking exaggerates learner differences and puts some students at a disadvantage. For the past several years, a comprehensive high school in suburban Chicago has questioned this practice and made significant changes. Students are assigned to classes on the basis of demonstrated skills rather than a quota…

The survey of projects concerned with placing secondary students with mental handicaps into competitive employment studied 24 matched pairs of successfully/unsuccessfully employed students. Results showed that successful programs were characterized by team effort, employer support, employment supervision, and a sensitive match of student and job.…

A study of 90 learning-disabled and 94 nonlearning-disabled students, aged 9-12, found that the peer status of subjects was related to their social behavior and to their placement in the school system. These findings lend support for Judith Wiener's Reciprocity Model of Peer Status. (Author/JDD)

Examines learning style characteristics of developmental and nondevelopmental junior college students. Finds significant differences between developmental and nondevelopmental students including field dependence, learning in the afternoon, sound present during learning, and motivation. Finds that field dependence-independence was the single best…

Analysis of results of the program's 1986 matches do not support claims that results are biased to favor programs, with student success in receiving higher-ranked choices greater than hospital success. Factors affecting hospitals' and students' success in the match are analyzed and strategies for improvement are suggested. (Author/MSE)

Compares available placements for severely handicapped students in rural and urban areas. Reports that rural students are more often placed in resource rooms, whereas their more urban peers are placed in special schools. Suggests rural placements are dictated simply by small numbers of severely handicapped students. Contains 16 references.…