Several states have changed their statewide achievement tests over the past 5 years. These changes may pose difficulties for educators tasked with identifying students in need of additional support. This study evaluated the stability of decision-making accuracy estimates across changes to the statewide achievement test. We analyzed extant data…

This study found that states with low percentages of students identified as learning disabled (LD) used a diagnostic method for determining a severe discrepancy, whereas few states identifying the most students used such a method. Use of a method to determine a severe discrepancy may reduce inappropriate labeling of students as LD. (Author/JDD)

The monograph presents an analysis of screening programs for handicapped children in New York State school districts. An introductory section considers such factors as the general parameters of a screening program and characteristics of a good screening program. Major policy options for screening are seen to include decisions regarding universal…

Remarks of nationally recognized leaders in gifted education are summarized from a 1982 meeting to discuss development of preschool gifted programs in Louisiana. Discussion focuses on identification, curriculum, teacher preparation, evaluation, and parent participation. (CL)

The author summarized major variables for states to deal with in statewide planning efforts for the education of the hearing impaired. (Author/SW)

A study conducted demographic analyses of Maryland's early intervention data by geographic region for training implications. The data were collected from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1995. Although there ware many areas of overlapping needs, results indicated that training needs can vary from one geographic locale to the next. (Contains…

The Connecticut Program for Handicapped/Talented Children was designed to devise an assessment procedure for documenting developed or potential talent in handicapped children and to provide program services for handicapped children with high creative potential. Multi-arts experiences in the areas of visual arts, music, and theatre-movement have…

On the surface, it appears that it should be quite simple to identify the characteristics of a child who is ready for school and then to assess whether or not any given child has these characteristics. But readiness is a difficult construct and one that has been the topic of great debate. Assessment of readiness is even more challenging. Policies…

Wisconsin has been exploring educational targets or outcomes since 1992 in conjunction with legislation mandating student assessment. While the establishment of outcomes does not necessarily indicate that a school subscribes to an outcome-based education (OBE) philosophy, the two could go together. OBE requires identification of outcomes prior to…

This report is a brief analysis of the criteria states use to determine if there is a disproportionately high or low number of students from a particular racial/ethnic group receiving special education services, assigned to a disability classification, or placed in an educational environment. Recent information indicates that 29 states have…

The Kansas state plan for FY 1979 includes information on the following topics: full educational opportunities goal, policy on priorities, child identification, personnel development, individualized education program, procedural safeguards, least restrictive environment, protection in evaluation procedures, participation of private school…

In order to provide teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and parents with those procedures necessary to set up programs for the gifted, the following topics are considered: definitions and descriptions of the gifted, an identification procedure consisting of five stages, and a list of 19 traits common to the gifted. A discussion of…

The purpose of this report was to explore one way in which quantitative and qualitative paradigms in program evaluation can be employed to reinforce each other. An evaluation was conducted of a large number of special education programs for preschoolers with handicaps in Louisiana. Since 1978, Louisiana has funded programs in 65 public school…

The Kansas State Plan for special education for the fiscal year 1980 is presented. The plan details the background and needs of the special education population of the state. The chapter on state department operations includes revised sections on state institutions and schools and an evaluation plan, along with sections on areas such as state…

The history of special education in New Jersey public schools (1904-54), and new legislation and growth in the 1954-67 period are reviewed. Aspects treated include the process by which handicapped children are found, evaluated, and placed; the rights and responsibilities of pupils, teachers, and school boards; and the impact of federal programs on…