Describes an empirical study that tested the impact of placement test rater meetings on rates of agreement and placement outcomes. Notes that the study provides a rich array of data for the testing of theoretical assumptions about placement models. Reviews the foundations of holistic scoring and the challenges raised by the Washington State…

Suggests that a new elitism seeks to abandon the required freshman composition course and placement tests. Argues, based on two studies, for placement into the course. Argues that the effect of a placement program, followed by a careful instructional program, is to allow many students who would otherwise leave school to continue successfully in…

Uses a question-and-answer format to assist professionals grappling with the meaning of inclusive school programs and their requirements. Provides information about the effectiveness of separate placements, full inclusion (normalization) goals, treatment of students with severe behavior problems, the role of pullouts and special education…

Presents findings from a study of students enrolled in college algebra. Concludes that the predicted success of students is related to explanatory variables using a linear model. Recommends advising cut-off scores in terms of student success rated as well as the mission statement and philosophy of the university. Contains 12 references.…

Study evaluated referrals of students (N=1,222) for special education from grades K-5 to determine if youngest children were experiencing a higher rate of referral. Data confirmed the hypothesis that children referred for evaluations within the 5- to 7-year-old-group had summer birthdates. Article discusses ways of providing educational services…

Considers whether differences might emerge in writing quality when students wrote examinations by hand or on a computer, and whether raters differed in their evaluation of essays written by hand, on a computer, or by hand and then transcribed to typed form before scoring. Finds no statistically significant differences in ratings among the three…

In a pilot program, Cambridge University students undertook project-based work placements in entrepreneurial organizations. Although small and medium-sized businesses recognize the benefits of such collaborations, few had taken placements before. An efficient communication process with employers was critical. (Contains 15 references.) (SK)

Fifty-two students with learning disabilities (LD), half of whom were in self-contained classrooms and half of whom were in general education classrooms with resource room support, self-rated their depressive symptoms. Self-ratings did not differ depending on classroom placement. However, guidance counselors rated students with LD in general…

This paper investigates the importance of knowing whether or not deaf and hard-of-hearing students have one or more deaf or hard-of-hearing parents. As noted by Mitchell and Karchmer (2004), deaf and hard-of-hearing school-age children and youth in the United States with at least one parent identified as "hearing impaired" are nearly…

Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) worked together to collect information regarding the need for a policy forum on the topic of administrative collaboration between school personnel who support homeless education under the McKinney-Vento…

This article, by Jackie Lambe, lecturer in education, and Robert Bones, lecturer in psychology, both from the University of Ulster, provides a useful review of the current state of policy, practice and teacher education relating to pupils with special educational needs in Northern Ireland. The authors use this review to launch their account of…

Special education programs for low achievers may not always be the right choice. Early identification and intervention could significantly reduce overdependence on special education. The authors reviewed pertinent literature related to the benefits of referral and placement in special education settings, and proposed strategies that would help low…

This brief report describes recent data on the enrolment of students in New South Wales (NSW) government special schools and special classes. There has been an increase in both special school and special class enrolments since 1998 with large increases among students with emotional disturbance. This pattern is briefly discussed in relation to…

In this paper we present new evidence on the impact of school characteristics on secondary student achievement using a rich dataset from rural Bangladesh. We deal with a potentially important selectivity issue in the South Asian context: the non-random sorting of children into madrasas (Islamic faith schools). We do so by employing a combination…

The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the special education sector of the Bedouin Arab community in southern Israel. The paper opens with the study rationale and the importance of the subject. The review is based on a thematic analysis of content taken from diverse sources. The analysis showed five principle themes: (a) numerous…