A study investigated how the social process and context of multidisciplinary teams in two rural, southern elementary schools inhibited the unbiased discussion of African American students' psychoeducational functioning. Although ethnic bias was not documented, four themes related to the teams social context and bias in the problem-solving process…

The following recommendations are made to assist multidisciplinary teams in developing educational programs for second-language learners: diversify the team and offer training; compare student performance in native and secondary languages; consider factors associated with second-language acquisition; employ alternative assessments; identify life…

This article considers current educational trends that may undermine the service delivery system for individuals with severe learning disabilities, including influence of terminology, teacher-training models, full inclusion, curriculum-based assessment, reliance on quantitative decision making, adherence to singular teaching methodologies, and…

This article describes the Behavior Rating Profile-Second Edition, a rating scale designed to identify students ages 6.6 to 18 years with behavioral, emotional, personal, and social adjustment problems. The test contains a Teacher Rating Scale, a Parent Rating Scale, and Student Rating Scales. Its administration, reliability, and validity are…

This article describes the Gillian Autism Rating Scale, an interview-based instrument designed to identify individuals ages 3-22 who are autistic and to assess persons referred for serious behavior problems. The test accesses stereotyped behaviors, communication, social interaction, and developmental disturbances. Its administration,…

This article describes the Kaufman Survey of Early Academic and Language Skills, an assessment of receptive and expressive language skills, pre-academic skills, and articulation of children ages 3 through 6. Three subtests assess vocabulary, numbers, letters and words, and articulation. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and…

This article describes the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, an individually administered measure of the school achievement of children ages 6 to 18 years. The normative update extended the age range to include examinees from 19 to 22 years. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and validity are discussed. (Contains references.)…

A total of 87 inservice teachers and 99 preservice teachers viewed videotapes depicting inappropriate behavior of an African-American female, an African-American male, a white female, and a white male. The gender of the teacher and the gender of the student had the most influence on teachers' perceptions of behavior. (Contains references.)…

Diagnosis of dementia in adults with intellectual disabilities requires documentation of clinically significant declines in memory and other cognitive skills, as well as changes in everyday and emotional functioning. To improve diagnostic accuracy in adults with Down syndrome, the authors examined conditions often associated with dementia, as well…

A guide to identifying, placing, and instructing children with severe disabilities, including deaf-blindness, is presented. Identification and placement information focuses on locating and referring children in need of special education services, the role of committees and staff members, the individualized education program, entrance and placement…

A framework is presented to help teachers become aware of classroom modifications possible in the regular classroom and to determine whether to refer IndoChinese students to special education when their needs cannot be met through modifications. Services that can be provided both before and after the child becomes a participant in a regular…

The effects of home-based programming for infants and young children with hearing impairments and their families were studied, with a focus on the SKI*HI program, which includes identification/screening, home visits, support services, parent advisors, and a program management system. The study analyzed data on 5,178 children (ages birth to 5) with…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of the Washington State Services for Children with Deaf-Blindness 3-year, federally supported program to provide technical assistance and training to families and service providers of approximately 140 children with deaf-blindness. Specific outcomes are listed for each of the project's 11…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the Tennessee Outreach Project for Children and Youth Experiencing Dual Sensory Impairments. The project was designed to improve the capacity of state, regional, and local educational services in meeting the needs of learners with deaf-blindness and their families. Major goals were to…

A Michigan task force examined existing and needed services for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to assist school districts in developing services and to create a systematic plan for statewide information dissemination regarding referral, assessment, identification, intervention strategies, and legal mandates.…