Several studies in the 1980s found that Black students were more likely to be enrolled in college-preparatory programs than Whites of equal achievement and family background. These findings contradict suspicions that tracking systems create more Black-White inequality than would occur without them. However, a weakness of one study supporting this…

An Austin, Texas, program regarding the identification and placement of Hispanic, limited-English-proficient (LEP) elementary school students is reported. They were assigned to one of three programs: bilingual education; English as a Second Language (ESL); or Language Arts Mastery Process (LAMP). The Austin Independent School District evaluated…

Performance assessment, constructed-response, and authentic assessment are topics of current interest in educational testing and reform. This workbook presents the following articles on educational assessment to highlight work being done in this area: (1) "Aquarium Problem and Teacher Guidelines: New Standards Project" (University of…

The needs of gifted and talented limited English proficient (G/T LEP) students are being poorly met. A University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), Texas, teacher education curriculum designed to train teachers in the identification, placement, and instruction of gifted and talented limited English proficient students (GT/LEPs) is discussed. As…

This state plan is an application for funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This application contains Wisconsin's policies and procedures for complying with the requirements contained in IDEA regulations and the applicable Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). This application will…

A study of 14 residential facilities operating schools for children with disabilities in Virginia gathered information on the following topics: (1) nature of operation, profit versus nonprofit, fund-raising activities, plans for future expansion, and affiliations with national chains; (2) student profiles including disabilities served, number of…

In validating tests for course placement in college, the criterion variable is usually defined in terms of the grade earned in a particular standard course. This study considers the issue of interpreting incomplete (I) and withdrawal (W) grades either as unsuccessful outcomes or as missing data. The effects of either type of interpretation on…

This project was developed as an alternative learning system for Advanced Placement history students. The project is accompanied by interactive text instructions and items of material culture from a culture box. Chapters include: (1) Introduction; (2) "A Rationale for Alternate Learning"; (3) "A Brief History of Experiential Education"; (4)…

This document provides a side-by-side comparison of Virginia regulations governing special education programs, the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act, and the federal 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Differences and similarities are illustrated for sections relating to: (1) definitions; (2)…

This study evaluated a new measure of teachers' attitudes toward students with special needs included in regular education classrooms. Approximately 516 teachers (308 regular and 186 special education) from five school districts completed the Scale of Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusion (STATIC). Statistical analyses suggested robust psychometric…

This report describes how different European countries deal with the issues and practicalities surrounding their efforts to integrate pupils with special education needs. More specifically, it focuses upon the current "state of the art" in school integration policies and practices in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England and Wales, Finland,…

This report of the California State Postsecondary Education Commission discusses standardized testing at the higher education level in California and is comprised of three parts. Part 1 describes six tests related to undergraduate admission, placement, and financial assistance. Part 2 describes five tests required by graduate programs and…

These four serial issues examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of a variety of assessment tests as well as their relationship to developmental education. Included are reviews of the following tests: (1) the Comparative Guidance and Placement Program, a self-scoring test of English and mathematics; (2) the Stanford Achievement Test, an…

Intended for parents of children with possible disabilities in Texas, these two combined booklets (one in English and one in Spanish) outline the step-by-step process qualifying the child for special education services and explain the parent's rights and responsibilities under federal and state law. Introductory material includes a letter to…

In Phase I of a study, all students (n=4,488) enrolled in schools in the Minnesota Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (MAPPS) completed a quality assessment instrument to evaluate their school. In Phase II, a sample of 2,000 students who completed the initial assessment were followed up to measure completion, placement, and student…