Explores whether there is a greater need for standard measures of vocabulary knowledge or for vocabulary measures tailored to learners' first languages using placement test data from more than 1,000 Francophone students entering English language courses at a francophone university in Montreal in 1997 and 1998. Shows that a standard vocabulary…

Successful block scheduling depends on provision of initial and ongoing instructional training. Teaching strategies should vary and include cooperative learning, the case method, the socratic seminar, synectics, concept attainment, the inquiry method, and simulations. Recommendations for maximizing block scheduling are outlined. (Contains 52…

Discusses the complexity of Spanish heritage language learners through a study of a program at the University of San Antonio. Highlights variables to consider in planning programs, such as institutional location, percentage of Hispanics in the student body, types of Spanish spoken, attitudes of teachers toward student language and culture, length…

Examines the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) diagnostic and placement process of special-needs students in one urban school district from the perspective of shared power. Argues that intent of reauthorized IDEA is to shift power from school administrators and staff members to the parent/guardian members of Individualized…

A study explored six Canadian regular class elementary teachers' attitudes toward inclusion of students with disabilities into their classrooms. Participants experienced difficulty in articulating their roles in integration and viewed resource teachers as being responsible for included students. Segregated placement was seen as superior to…

The self-perceptions of 64 English pupils (ages 8-16) with Down Syndrome were assessed in three school-related domains: academic competence, physical competence, and social acceptance. The pupils held very positive self-perceptions in each domain. Self-perceptions became more positive with age, were more positive for females than males, and were…

This article analyzes provisions of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, specifically regulations and relevant case law concerning provision of services to students in private schools. It offers guidelines for implementing the new provisions and suggestions for how to avoid violating the establishment clause in…

This article comments on recommended changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) included in "Perspectives on the Future of the IDEA" (Hardman and others). It is argued that we have ignored and trivialized important legal requirements already in IDEA, and that the current IDEA has served us well. (CR)

This commentary discusses the underlying constitutional principles in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Equal protection and equal access for children with disabilities, procedural due process and empowerment, substantive due process and self-determination, least restrictive environment and the continuum, and policy…

This study examined the content and characteristics of state departments of education position or policy statements on inclusion for 17 state education agencies. Analysis revealed that such policy/position statements usually address the meaning of the term "inclusion," the philosophy of inclusion, laws and court decisions pertaining to inclusion,…

This article discusses the disproportional placement of African-American males in programs for students with serious emotional disturbance and their poor school outcomes. It urges educators to focus more attention on appropriate and successful interventions within a continuum of educational services for this population. Case examples are provided…

Examines reasons cited by conditionally-admitted and early-admitted freshmen for choosing to attend college. Finds that parents and family had the greatest influence on both groups; however, the conditionally-admitted students cited these influences more often as the primary influence. Discusses other influences cited by both groups, such as…

Advanced Placement brings into sharp focus the dilemma faced by middle, secondary and university teachers of American history. The search for an introductory synthesis stumbles more frequently these days because texts and curriculum frameworks all too often depend upon what Mary Fredrickson refers to as the tyranny of chronology. With extremely…

This research investigated the relation of course, instructor, and student characteristics to student ratings of teaching effectiveness, both overall and within the dimensions of pedagogical skill, rapport with students, difficulty appropriateness, and course value/learning. Interest in the course content, expected grades, satisfaction with the…

One indication that the lines between high schools and colleges are blurring is the growth in programs that permit students to earn college credit while still in high school. More than 250 educators and policymakers representing both the K-12 and higher education communities gathered on June 8-9, 2006 to discuss such "accelerated-learning…