Explores the legal aspects of choice programs affecting the education of children with disabilities. Concludes that states that have enacted choice programs have not designed the admissions processes nor the funding systems to eliminate discrimination against children with disabilities. (41 footnotes) (MLF)

High ability, average, and learning-disabled children in grades 4 and 7 were assessed on achievement, ability, perceived competence in cognitive ability, self-concept, and locus of control. Results indicated significant group differences on achievement and affective measures which were relatively stable and unaffected by cognitive strategies…

This study found that 246 regular and 42 special education high school teachers had dissimilar views of their ability to provide learning-disabled students with competencies considered important for college entry by 82 college faculty. Special educators and college faculty were quite similar in perception of students' needs. (Author/JDD)

This study of 63 students (in grades 2-8) with mild to moderate disabilities found that students in classrooms using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) achieved better than controls on reading measures. The study also found that students of teachers who received CBM expert system instructional consultation achieved better than others on written…

This study of six mainstreamed students (in grades six and eight) with learning disabilities, their parents, and their teachers found considerable confusion and ambiguity concerning the impact of letter grades on students with learning disabilities. Students tended to feel helpless to achieve high grades yet blamed themselves for low grades.…

A graduate course at the University of New Hampshire is intended to help special educators of young children to develop communication and collaboration skills. Program evaluation has indicated that attitudes of professionals and their interactions with parents were changed in the direction of greater empathy, increased respect, and more…

Reviews several studies of prereferral intervention models and their effects on such variables as referral rates, student achievement and behavior, and student and parent satisfaction. Some models involved collaboration among teachers, and others involved formal consultation between teachers and specialists. Research to date has been more…

Children in grades 6-7 in a progressive school and a traditional school viewed a role-play video involving a positive or neutral teacher and a confident or nonconfident child with mild intellectual disability. Viewers' responses highlight the importance of school factors and teacher attitudes on regular class peers' attributions of children with…

Teachers' perceptions of behavior and social skills, peer and self-perceptions of social status, and academic achievement were examined for 239 kindergartners in the fall and spring. Students were classified as learning disabled (LD) prior to identification and low, average, and high achievers. Social difficulties of LD students are discussed.…

This special journal issue presents a review of science education research in 1989. This summary of research is organized around 14 themes: achievement in science, affect, classroom interactions, cognitive processes, computers, curriculum, instruction, legislation and policy, misconceptions, scientific literacy, teachers, tests and assessments,…

This article discusses educational reform and personnel preparation in relation to dramatic changes in student demography. Professional development needs of teachers serving exceptional language minorities are delineated, including competencies such as understanding first- and second-language acquisition, using appropriate instructional…

The study of 742 older persons (above age 45) with a developmental handicap residing in either community or institutional settings in Alberta, Canada, found those residing in congregate care settings had significantly higher frequencies of health impairments. Persons residing in the community had significantly better independent living skills and…

Describes a collaborative reform effort among three school districts and the University of Charleston to meet the diverse needs of middle school science students with mild to moderate disabilities. The article discusses the design and implementation of the collaborative model, indicators of its success, and recommendations for similar efforts. (SM)

Presents a classroom lesson in which students compare the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with civil rights legislation from the 1960s and 1970s. Uses role playing and case studies to examine various aspects social and legal discrimination. Includes lesson objectives, instructional procedures, and five student information handouts. (CFR)

Investigated effects of participation in developmentally appropriate affective education program. Middle school students (n=23), identified as high risk for dropping out and also as learning disabled or emotionally disturbed, were assigned to experimental and control conditions. Participants in affective education group met for 15 weeks.…