It may be better to regard what are now considered dialects, such as Caribbean Creole, as languages related to English rather than forms of English. This altered context would recognize cultural identity and shift programing emphasis from literacy to English for speakers of other languages. (SK)

Describes an online dictionary environment for children called DICTOFUN where words are accessed via their meaning as well as by alphabetical entry. Highlights include the use of HyperCard; concept hierarchies; comparisons with related systems; and experiments with 7-, 8-, and 14-year olds. (Contains 12 references.) (LRW)

Explores how magazine type has been defined and on what criteria categories of magazines have been based in communication research. Observes 4 definition strategies in 223 research reports published between 1977 and 1991. Critiques them on their apparent ability to meet five generally accepted standards for the usefulness of scientifically…

This paper discusses the cyclical nature of second-language instruction, examining the stages of an entire cycle (introduction, input, output, conclusion) and of the cycle's component activities (introduction, set up, performance, outcome, and conclusion). It also discusses how such frameworks can be used in language instruction research. (41…

The Carnegie system of classification of colleges and universities and other such classification systems are criticized as imprecise and potentially misleading. It is argued that an institution's mission statement, which should clearly define the institution and its goals, rather than categorization should be the basis on which decisions are made.…

Three experiments examined how flexibly two- to four-year-old children use the words "big" and "little" in normative, perceptual, and functional contexts. Results showed that children switched easily from a normative context but made errors when asked to switch to a normative context. (MDM)

Cluster analysis of responses from 551 veterinarians (63%) participating in continuing professional education supported Houle's typology of professionals as innovators, pacesetters, middle majority, or laggards, in terms of their attitude toward and previous participation in continuing education, expectations of significant others, and personal…

Children performed well on tasks involving pictures regardless of whether the pictures were named. Performance on atypical pictures was better when category labels were provided than when labels were not provided. A control study demonstrated that children ignored labels when they named a transient, as opposed to a stable, category. (RH)

Presents results of a test of nonmusic majors' ability to remember song titles. Suggests that, although the process of categorization seems to be a basic function of perception, appropriate categorization needs to be learned. Supports the view that music learning, like verbal learning, involves a categorization of stimuli based on holistic…

The objective inmate classification system in use in California's prisons is described. Evaluation of 14,091 cases suggests that the system reduces the rate of increase in the incidence of serious prisoner misconduct. Empirical evaluation of the system is recommended, and implications for correctional programs and public policy are discussed. (SLD)

Some recent methods are presented for analyzing categorical data from complex surveys involving clustering familiar in educational research. Methods that provide first-order corrections to standard multinomial-based chi-square tests by taking into account survey design effects are highlighted. Design-based calculation techniques guarantee that the…

Examines identification of learning-disabled students, comparing advantages and disadvantages of most common discrepancy formulas and multiple regression discrepancy method. Contends that educational and statistical significance of test scores should be taken into consideration during identification process, and consonance between…

Through interviews with 78 vocational instructors, a classification system for leadership effectiveness criteria was developed. The criteria measure the extent to which the leader's behavior (1) improves the quality of the group process; (2) has a personal impact on followers (teachers); and (3) helps the group perform its tasks and achieve its…

This paper summarizes results of a survey of 256,000 individuals in Spain which sought to identify those individuals with impairments, disabilities, and handicaps. The paper also examines the usefulness of the World Health Organization's classification. Results are discussed in terms of prevalence of disability, age, sex, common impairments,…

The typology of planned languages, the number of such linguistic projects, and the most commonly used morphemes for these created languages are discussed. A total of 11 morpheme types are identified. (14 references) (Author/LB)