Five countable indices of writing quality were examined for their suitability in making special education screening-eligibility decisions, based on writing samples from 2,160 students. Even the best index was only moderately efficient. "Percentage of words spelled correctly" was best overall, and "percentage of correct word sequences" was best for…

Discusses the problem of drug-exposed infants from the perspective of a county attorney's office, focusing on a new Minnesota law that responds to the problem through early identification and provision of services. The approach calls for mandated reporting by medical providers and includes the possibility of civil commitment. (SLD)

Word lists spoken in Castillian, Caribbean, and Mexican dialects were compared to identify speech reception thresholds in 12 Spanish-speaking, Puerto Rican children (ages 6-7). No statistically significant differences were found among the dialects. (Author/DB)

The Preschool Development Inventory (PDI) obtains parents' assessments of their children's present development and possible problems. Of 220 children (ages 3 and 4), 11% obtained low General Development Scale scores, whereas 14% showed potential major obstacles to learning. Data concerning the PDI's sensitivity/specificity indicate that parents'…

A questionnaire concerning weighted grades in high school honors classes was sent to state directors of gifted education. Findings indicated that 86% of respondents reported their states allowed high schools to use weighted grades. Other findings addressed charges of elitism, public support, and identification of non-European-American children.…

To determine local educators' responses to being targeted for program improvement, questionnaires were sent to principals of all schools identified for Chapter 1 improvement in three states. Approximately 104 (84 percent) of the responding schools supported the legislative provisions for improvement and could focus on the issues of improvement.…

Used assumptions from racial identity and demographic models in two studies to examine white (n=183) and African-American (n=76) college students' strength of preference for counselors' racial and demographic characteristics. Found that whites' racial identity attitudes predicted their social class and white-counselor preferences; African…

This paper suggests a framework for viewing learning disability as a risk factor, noting the importance of the specific type of learning problem, multiplicity, severity, age at identification, and chronicity. Learning disability is viewed in interaction with other risk factors, developmental stages, gender, and contributions of internal or…

Telephone interviews were conducted with parents of 1,601 children to investigate the utility of a statewide (Ohio), first-step screening procedure called Developmental Profile II. With developmental delay specified as the outcome variable, six independent variables representing environmental and biological determinants were identified.…

Teacher and peer perceptions of aggression were investigated with 479 male and 420 female third through eighth graders. Teachers and students' peers reported higher levels of aggression in boys than girls, and these perceptions were relatively stable across grades. Issues relevant to identification of highly aggressive youth were identified. (SLD)

Many Latin American authors have undertaken cultural criticism designed to explain the psyche of the Hispanic countries. Carlos Fuentes, in "The Buried Mirror: Reflections on Spain and the New World," presents another example of the obsessive need to interpret Latin America to the rest of the world. (SLD)

Examines barriers to the effective recognition and assistance of gifted Black American children, including inadequate definitions, theories, and identification procedures. Discusses rationales for reexamining and broadening definitions and theories of giftedness to make them more applicable to Blacks. Presents prescriptions for change and…

Examines Houston Baker's argument for rap music's place in academe. Baker suggests rap as being one of the most creative and productive forms of cultural expression to come along in some time warranting the same kind of scholarly attention afforded the works of history's most noted philosophers and poets. (GLR)

This paper documents development of the field of auditory-verbal intervention to aid individuals with hearing impairments and outlines its advantages. The paper emphasizes the author's contributions to the field through development of detection and treatment services, early detection and early intervention services, research studies, and teacher…

England's "Draft Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs" presents a five-stage assessment procedure. The five stages range from the class or subject teacher identifying a student's needs and consulting the Special Educational Needs coordinator, to the local education authority making a…