In examining the continuing problem of the disproportionate number of minority students in special education, this article urges implementation of experimentally validated interventions including: (1) early detection, primary interventions, and prereferral procedures and (2) academic as well as social competence, resiliency, and self-determination…

Many migrant students are not identified for needed special education services in a timely manner. This digest describes the obligations of schools to provide such services, and discusses approaches for student referral, assessment, and placement and working with migrant families. Federal mandates concerning special education are summarized, and…

This study examined whether discrepancy between aptitude and achievement is used to determine eligibility in the classification of learning disabilities. Test scores of 50 middle and high school students from eight school districts were used to determine whether Federal Code eligibility criteria were used to determine initial eligibility for…

This digest discusses hearing loss in children. Topics covered include: (1) the causes of hearing loss and the three major types of hearing losses, conductive loss, sensorineural loss, and central auditory processing disorder; (2) the federal definitions of "deaf" (hearing loss which adversely affects educational performance and which is…

This final report describes major activities and outcomes of a one-year project in Birmingham, Alabama, which attempted to utilize quantitative record linkage methodology and a qualitative family interview to increase the available information regarding risk factors associated with special education placement for young children. The project…

A study of 51,624 Michigan students declassified from special education indicated that the students were academically, socially, and behaviorally well adjusted in general education programs. Teachers and counselors felt that 11% continued to need special education. Four percent of declassified students returned to special education within three…

This article describes special education in Canada including procedures for identifying children with disabilities, student evaluation, programming for students with exceptionalities, and student placement. It also explores current issues of concern: a shrinking teacher population, fiscal restraints, and access to special education services in…

This report contains an overview of the General Psychoeducational Program Network and four research papers on the education of students with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED). The first paper, "Academic Progress of SED students Served in the Georgia Psychoeducational Program Network" (Thomas H. Cope), reports on a study which found…

This document presents North Carolina regulations governing educational programs and services for children with special needs. Individual sections cover the following areas: definitions; identification, screening, evaluation and placement; observation; initial conference prior to school-based or preschool transition/placement committee referral;…

A study examined teachers' and parents' ratings of 39 developmentally handicapped (DH) and 9 learning disabled children on the revised Vineland and the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale. Teachers rated children eligible for DH placement more frequently than parents. The adaptive behavior ratings of the two instruments differed significantly. (Author/CB)

Examined the role of various psychoeducational assessment devices in contributing to appropriate placement decisions for 30 emotionally handicapped, 30 learning disabled, and 30 educable mentally retarded students. Results showed that standardized tests plus teacher ratings were effective in predicting only the EMR group. (JAC)

This paper describes Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that results in mental retardation. An overview of this condition is presented from the perspective of a family who traveled through the many stages of the disability from infancy to young adulthood. The etiology and characteristics of the disability are discussed, including…

Designed for parents, this brochure uses a car-trip analogy to describe special education services for students with disabilities. It addresses: (1) child find; (2) initial evaluation and eligibility determination; (3) categories of students who receive special education services and related services; (4) creating a home file to organize…

The use of the Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language with 299 low socioeconomic status Head Start children (three to seven years old) was studied. It is suggested that clinicians making placement decisions regarding groups that differ racially and/or culturally from the normative population consider using pluralistic assessment. (Author/SEW)

Compensatory education students and mildly handicapped special education students would be better served by a single system meeting the needs of both groups. Student classification methods, historical, political, and pedagogical reasons for separating the programs, and alternatives to the existing arrangement are discussed. (PP)