The 1992 American Association on Mental Retardation definition of mental retardation is critiqued. The definition is seen as lacking precision and necessitating identification dependent upon assessment of behavioral dimensions for which there are no reliable measurement instruments. These problems, which are attributed to advocacy concerns, are…

Describes how to illuminate and optically stain slides for microscope use and how to interface a 35mm camera with a microscope using an adaptor. Provides equipment descriptions and sources, details about illumination, image formation, darkfield adaptors, centerable filter adaptors, darkfield stops, rheinburg filters, and choosing specimens to…

Discusses studies of the neurobiology of memory and cognition. Presents the findings of anatomic and physiological studies of monkeys that have led to discoveries about the structure of working memory. (MCO)

Three criticisms of family-centered models of early intervention for individuals with disabilities are put forth: the definition of family is indeterminate; early interventionists bring their own conceptions of the meaning of family to their work; and empirical research about family processes and their relationship to individuals' development is…

Seeds of public education's current failures are found in its past successes (transmitting culture and providing custodial care). Education is experiencing paradigm paralysis because of piecemeal reform approaches, failure to integrate solution ideas, and reductionist, boundary-limiting orientation. The old system is no longer adequate. Total…

Presents a definition matching exercise for students. Offers a list of 20 law-related terms and accompanying definitions. (SG)

Differentiates among renewal, reform, and restructuring activities and intentions in education, highlighting conceptualizations that stress fundamental change. Defines "restructuring" as activities that change fundamental assumptions, practices, and relationships, both within the organization and between the organization and the outside world, in…

Attempts to implement the professional development school (PDS) are frustrated by a lack of consensus about these schools' defining characteristics. This article discusses some common criteria, emphasizes that the professional development school is not a laboratory or demonstration school, and compares the PDS to other forms of academic inquiry.…

This review of behavioral conceptualizations and approaches to the treatment of child noncompliance includes discussion of behavioral definitions, methods of assessment, types of behavioral interventions, generalization of treatment effects, future research directions, and potential ethical concerns. (Author/JDD)

Describes how a learning activity called "Find Your Partner" that can be extended to cover both linguistic and conceptual areas when used with experienced language teachers. The linguistic aim is "varieties of definitions," but the conceptual aim is to allow clarification and refinement of participants' thinking about methodological/linguistic…

The concept of item discrimination is generalized to the case in which more than one ability is required to determine the correct response to an item, using the conceptual framework of item response theory and the definition of multidimensional item difficulty previously developed by M. Reckase (1985). (SLD)

Defines the concepts of hypertext, hypermedia, multimedia, and multimedia networks. Using the rhizome as a metaphor for electronically mediated exchange, a theory of hypermedia design that incorporates principles of connection and heterogeneity, multiplicity, asignifying rupture, and cartography and decalomania is explored. (four references) (MES)

Summarizes findings of a study exploring student attitudes to schools of different size. A semantic differentiate scale of attitude toward school was completed by 4,746 (British) pupils from 192 primary or junior schools. Those attending schools of 60 or fewer showed more positive attitudes than those attending larger schools. (45 references) (MLH)

This paper urges a deeper consideration of the role of psychometrically defined intelligence in the operationalization of aptitude/achievement discrepancies inherent in most definitions of learning disability. It proposes a new disability, dysrationalia, the inability to think and behave rationally despite adequate intelligence. (DB)

Information collected from 264 elementary teachers and 47 principals demonstrated that teachers included a broad range of behaviors in their own "theoretical" definitions of child abuse but preferred informal intervention over formal reporting. The decision to report involved the interplay of definitions, institutional response, and…