The survey of 65 persons responsible for directing graduate degree programs in gifted education examined perceptions and attitudes toward the leadership development function of teacher educators. In general, the dimensions and definitions of the concept of leadership, as seen by respondents, were ambiguous. (DB)

Suggests that personal spelling dictionaries and spelling error analysis are strategies which will help students improve their spelling more than memorizing lists of unrelated words from spelling books. (MS)

Twelve literacy goals include new attitude toward illiteracy; clarification of the concept; articulated child-adult strategy; attention to women's needs; updating the field; attention to pedagogy; a literate environment; quality; better data; attention to preschool literacy; literacy in the context of basic education; and international cooperation…

Distinguishes between two meanings of literacy that have been conflated: the ability to read and write, and the broader concept of being educated. Presents three arguments: literacy is not social; literacy is not political; and the comprehension part of literacy is a relative matter, while the ability to decode is not. (RS)

This article presents an operational, inclusionary definition of dyslexia constructed by the Orton Dyslexia Society Research Committee and others. Each clause of the definition is explained in terms of relevant research findings. The definition attempts to identify unique factors of reading disability, independent of its common association with…

While exploring educational leadership concepts, a group of superintendents on retreat found "grace" considerably harder to define than "vision" or "legacy." Inspired by a superintendent's courageous response to imminent dismissal and another's handling of clinical depression, the group first conjured up graceless…

Examines contextual and definitional factors that determine whether and to what extent college students learn unknown words without instruction. Finds that the quality of the definition appears to determine the extent to which college students are able to learn unknown words. (RS)

Argues that literacy in the United States, more than an educational concern, is a powerful sociopolitical force. Describes many definitions of "literacy" from different contexts, including political and educational. Explains the origins of the OLRC (Ohio Literacy Resource Center). Concludes that in just one year of operation, the OLRC…

Discusses CD-ROM development, including common production terms (data acquisition, rights acquisition, data conversion, indexing, authoring, premastering, image building, replication); describes the roles of project team members (script writers, artists, designers, programmers, managers, distributors); and explains the differences between CD-ROM…

Describe use of the galvanic skin response meter, in conjunction with class discussion, as an effective method for explaining the elusive concepts of "connotation" and "connotative value." (SR)

Views on the concepts of knowledge and beliefs were compared for 54 adults in the United States and 66 in Europe (primarily in the Netherlands). Differences related to the definition of and relationship between knowledge and beliefs were identified, with European respondents tending to be more diverse in their viewpoints. (SLD)

Rather than returning to traditional "sociology of leadership," which is modernist and positivist in nature, educators ought to adopt a critical and pragmatic strategy toward the leadership quandary. This pragmatism would attempt to reveal the historic sources of our contemporary leadership malaise and make leadership inquiry more…

During 1992, the American College Testing Program (ACT) attempted to develop a collaborative portfolio model to support both the classroom and the need for information about student capabilities. The program was pilot-tested in 7 high schools; during the 1995-96 academic year, 20 high schools will be involved in a field test. (MLH)

This paper defines the term "self-image" or "self-esteem" and defines the term "creativity" from psychoanalytic and humanist interpretations. It then proposes the theory that a positive self-image enhances the possibilities for creative productivity or lifestyle. Practical implications for child rearing are offered. (JDD)

This paper summarizes and evaluates the research on the relationship between allergies and learning disabilities. The paper considers definitional and conceptual issues, anecdotal reports, experimental studies, and the Feingold hypothesis. It concludes that the role that allergies play in learning disability is complex and interrelated with other…