The author replies to criticism of his definition of hedge, a linguistic phenomenon, defending his line of argument and making his assumptions explicit. Concludes that if hedging is to be treated as a linguistic phenomenon, it is the job of linguists to describe it in terms of the choices available within the language system as a whole. (MSE)

Reviews three current approaches to preventing child abuse in Great Britain: clinical health-led risk-assessment model, broader social-reform strategies, and criminal justice youth victimization models. Explores sources of contradiction through definitions of child abuse underpinning different strategies. Proposes change in language of child…

Presents a human rights glossary that includes definitions of basic terms, treaties, charters, and groups/organizations that have been featured in previous articles in this edition of "Update on Law-Related Education"; the human rights terms have been compiled as part of the celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…

This article presents a brief history of the transition of the federal definition for students who are gifted and talented, as well as a description of other definitions that have affected state definitions. A review of state definitions in 1990 and 1998 indicates that 29 states have modified their definition. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The University New Student Census was administered to 376 Asian-Pacific-American (APA) incoming freshman students at the University of Maryland (College Park) and analyzed for differences concerning leadership and college expectations. Results suggest that definitions of leadership may need to be expanded to include the various ways leadership is…

Discusses three key groups of participants in the process of literacy education and research--teachers, students, and researchers--and issues of equity (notably the gap between achievement of students of diverse backgrounds and their mainstream peers). Focuses on changing definitions of literacy, literature, and instruction. Explores connections…

Discusses the definition of the academic credit hour and its relationship to current social, political, and educational changes. Today, nontraditional delivery systems affect the way credit is offered and received. Faculty must consider how these changes affect what graduates know. Definition and validity of the credit hour is the key to the…

Contrasts instructive and punitive views of discipline in the early childhood setting. Maintains that caregivers' starting conception of discipline determines how they look at and treat child misbehavior. Contrasts time-out and time-in as approaches to dealing with a child's acting up. Asserts that instructive discipline helps children appreciate…

Examines connotations of "activities" within the early care and education context. Identifies problems with focusing on activities as the most important educational time, including ignoring quality of the environment, missing important learning during "down time," and being more occupied with activities than with children. Maintains that adopting…

Asserts that the field of early childhood education (ECE) should reclaim some powerful words to reconnect them with ECE traditions and professional values. Includes discussion of academics, assessment, reading, standards, and structure. Concludes that using these words can be beneficial in discussions with other professionals and policymakers…

Undergraduate students participated in an experiment designed to evaluate different types of elaborations on definitions of 16 psychology terms. First, participants received booklets presenting the definition of each term, followed by 1 of several elaborations: an example, a mnemonic, a paraphrase, or a repeated definition (the nonelaborating…

Plagiarism is the new dirty word on campus, and college instructors are increasingly interested in teaching students how to prevent committing plagiarism. In this study, college students wrote definitions of plagiarism before and after 6 weeks of practice paraphrasing and citing original sources. Students' definitions of plagiarism were evaluated…

The vague and incomplete federal definition of emotional disturbance has caused a great deal of controversy and debate since the inception of Public Law 94-142. The lack of resolution among professionals attempting to elucidate the distinction between emotional disturbance and social maladjustment has resulted in continued conflict. Included in…

Relational aggression, harm through injury or manipulation of a relationship, has become fashionable, particularly in the popular press. Mental health professionals in schools can better serve students when they understand what is known about relational aggression, how it influences social behavior, and how it is related to children's well-being.…

I write this short essay in response to Peirce, as a feminist, pragmatist, and cultural studies scholar, in the hope that it will help to bring feminism and pragmatism together. I suggest that Peirce offers marginalized and colonized people a way to argue for the importance of their input, with his theory of fallibilism, even if he still claims a…