An examination of the way in which Ss were selected in research from 1968 through 1978 on behaviorally disordered students points out imprecision in methodology. The author suggests using control groups and follow-up procedures and emphasizes the need to theorize less while collecting more data. (CL)

Three major problems are discussed in relation to helping disturbed children: assessment practices, the nature of emotional disturbance, and the treatment of emotional problems. The need for objectively defining emotional problems and rationally designing programs to meet individual child needs is stressed. (Author)

Factors associated with teacher identification of behavior problems among 53 junior high school students were investigated. Results indicated there were significant differences between interaction profiles in the areas of student attention to task and student scanning behavior while the teacher was instructing. (Author)

A study involving 18 emergency homeless shelters in Los Angeles screened 169 homeless children (ages 6-12) for behavior disorders, learning disabilities, or mental retardation. Results found almost one half of sheltered homeless children screened positive for at least one disability requiring special education services, with behavior disorders…

The debate over expanding the legal definition of behavior disorders to include social maladjustment is presented; both sides of the issue are addressed including such aspects as confusion in terms, unclear incidence figures difficulty in identification, and legal and ethical ramifications. (CL)

Parent and teacher ratings of 141 middle-school children were collected using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a low degree of relationship between parent and teacher ratings. The lack of agreement in identifying children as either mildly deviant or highly deviant suggests rating subjectivity.…

A survey of 323 studies in behavioral disorders/emotional disturbance was conducted to determine the nature and prevalence of identification criteria to select subjects. Findings revealed a divergent picture of the nature of prevalence of behavorial disorders/emotional disturbance, and a lack of consensus regarding standard identification…

A discriminant analysis of characteristics of students with behavioral disorders in three progressively more intensive placements indicated that age at time of diagnosis was the strongest discriminating variable contributing to placement outcomes. Younger, brighter students tended to be mainstreamed, and older students with more externalizing…

Three studies are reported addressing the reliability of the Scale for Assessing Emotional Disturbance (SAED), a standardized, norm-reference measure linked to the federal definition of emotional disturbance (ED). Results indicate the SAED possesses acceptable test-retest reliability and reasonable interrater reliability and can assist in the…

Discusses hypotheses and methodologies needed to extend understanding of the ethnic representation of students with serious emotional disturbances. Technical methods are discussed to ensure that estimates for the extent of disproportionate representation are accurate. Research needed to produce better conceptual understanding of why…

The prevalence of learning disabilities (LD) was studied in 233 students (ages 6-16) newly identified with behavioral disorders. Overall, 53.2 percent met at least one LD definition, ranging from 15.9 percent for low achievement to 42.9 percent for regression. Almost one-quarter showed overlapping between low achievement and discrepancy…

Data on 117 adolescents identified or not identified as having serious emotional disturbance and served by public schools or private psychiatric hospitals indicated that girls were a small proportion of the group identified or served by public school, but made up the majority of the group not identified by schools but served by hospitals.…

The relationship of parent and teacher ratings of social skills and problem behaviors, using the Social Skills Rating System with two peer-reference measures, were examined with 101 fifth- and sixth-graders. Teacher ratings of social skills, problem behaviors, and academic competence showed moderate correlations with both peer measures. (Contains…

This article identifies some of the underlying emotions of our school administrators, congressional leaders, and communities that result in the neglect of students who are in dire need of special education and related services. The systematic underestimation and underidentification of students with emotional or behavioral disorders are…

Data are reported on the long-term (6-month) test-retest reliability of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS), which is a strength-based assessment instrument. Participants included 95 typical elementary students and 26 children at risk of having or having emotional or behavioral disorders. Moderate to high test-retest correlations were…