Basic definitions, conceptual clarity, and analyses of the organizational and social implications of various competency-based education approaches are badly needed. (Author/EB)

A needs assessment questionnaire was developed that requested information regarding adaptive behavior in handicapped children from 346 practitioners in pupil appraisal. (BD)

A transition to middle school is effectively accomplished when it is understood that it is a unique and distinct educational institution appropriate for youngsters who are at the onset of adolescence, i.e., having objectives different from high school, elementary, or even junior high school. (Author/RK)

Defines the concept, "Community Education," the part that student alienation has in causing school vandalism, reports two studies that help prove the constructive influence of community schools in reducing school vandalism, and how student cooperation can be gained in community education. (RK)

You probably have one or two gifted students in your class right now. Don't assume they can "make it on their own". Offers some facts on the behavior of gifted students, gives some pointers on how to teach them, and offers an evaluation of three programs for gifted students with some sample exercises from an enrichment program. (Editor/RK)

The two published histories of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools trace the decisions and actions taken throughout the past 82 years of the association's efforts to provide leadership in education. Describes the two NCA accrediting commissions: the Commission on Schools and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.…

Defines skill, performance, and competency, relates the concept of competency based education to the intent of the Hart Bill, the Stull Bill or AB 65, i.e., to insure that students master and perform basic skills of communication and computation, and considers some underlying assumptions that are the basis of educational legislation. (Author/RK)

The National Center for Education Statistics has commissioned a new educational taxonomy, which will include a speech communication category. The omnibus project, guidelines and constraints affecting the classification process, and the activities and decisions that relate particularly to speech communication are discussed. (JMF)

Presents alternatives as a part of American education in pursuit of commonly accepted goals, but utilizing progressive educational methods. (Author)

Open education and schools of choice are alive and well--even in an era labeled "back to basics". (Editor)

Discussed in the interview are such topics as the regulations for Public Law 94-142 (The Education for All Handicapped Children Act), formulation of the Learning Disabilities (LD) definition, problems in the labeling of LD students, varying incidence estimates, and divergent opinions among professionals in the field of LD. (IM)

Examined are some generic issues and problems related to the development of operational procedures for identifying learning disabled children, focusing on the formula proposed by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. (DLS)

Information is presented on the definition, causes, effects and population estimates for developmental disabilities; and a tentative hypothesis regarding the hearing impaired/developmentally disabled is set forth. (CL)

Asks what constitutes a community and what types of communities do the community colleges usually serve. Examines the characteristics of a community and compares the definitions of community and city. Identifies four kinds of communities: geographical communities, community defined as a way of life, social organizations, and living-group…

Cognitive preference as used in this research refers to a conscious decision which the subjects were forced to make, thus suggesting a relative rather than an absolute preference as with cognitive style. It was predicted that the scores derived from the cognitive preference scale would serve as good indicators for the mode of instruction from…