This paper addresses the myth of socioeconomic dissonance and its effects on the identification, assessment, placement, and instruction of African-American students with special needs. Socioeconomic status is seen to predetermine the academic success and survival of African-American students. The paper looks at the politics of "poverty,"…

A longitudinal study of various measures of creativity was conducted to determine the validity of a number of possible predictors of an arts orientation. Tests of creative thinking, creative personality, divergent thinking, intelligence, and school achievement were administered to above-average fifth-graders (N=23), who also drew pictures based on…

An at-risk profile instrument was developed for identification and service delivery for high risk students to identify students in a timely manner so that intervention could occur on a proactive, rather than reactive, basis; and to assist school district personnel to implement, monitor, and modify programmatic and staffing patterns to best meet…

This practicum report describes an identification prototype used by a large metropolitan school district (Gwinnet County, Georgia) to identify giftedness in black and limited English speaking students. Underrepresentation of these groups in gifted programs is seen to result from: teacher reluctance to refer students from the target populations;…

This report presents the state of Michigan's special education state plan for fiscal years 1995-1997. It includes policies and procedures for complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state regulations. Chapters address: (1) the right to education; (2) full educational opportunities, goals, and time lines; (3) child…

This report summarizes a study of: the type, content, duration, and intensity of instructional services provided to limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in the United States; administrative procedures associated with these services (including procedures for identifying students for entry into and exit from these special services); the…

This guide is designed to provide parents with the knowledge they need to ensure appropriate educational programs for students (ages 5-21) with disabilities. It describes the special education process, programs, services, and the rights of children with disabilities in New York State to a free appropriate public education in accordance with the…

Daily observations of children in the classroom and on the playground show how children construct and experience gender in school. Observations were made in working class communities and emphasize the experiences of fourth and fifth graders. Most children were White, but a sizable minority were Latino, Chicano, or African American. It is argued…

This pair of studies investigated the psychometric adequacy of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) with a population of 8,396 potentially gifted elementary children of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as diverse emotional and social environments. Study I showed subjects' profiles differed strikingly from…

Practical information for parents of children with learning disabilities (LD) is presented in a workbook format. Guidelines for effective parenting of LD children are interspersed between checklists and other forms for record keeping, observations, and planning. After a chapter outlining the basic facts about learning disabilities, a chapter is…

This policy brief addresses the issue of issue of whether or not current federal funding policy under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be changed from an identification system to an overall population-based system. The current federal funding policy is described, in the context of the legislative history of IDEA.…

This study explored the nature and extent of programs and services available for culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged gifted learners. Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey of directors of gifted programs in 49 states and territories and a questionnaire survey of 51 local school districts that have active programs for…

In response to Senate Concurrent Resolution 83, the Texas Education Agency studied methods for screening all students upon entry to school for significant developmental lags that could lead to learning disabilities. The resulting report includes: (1) identification of screening techniques; (2) methods currently in use and validated for treatment…

Part of a national research project, this study of students at risk involved elementary and high school pupils in the El Paso (Texas) area. Investigators sought answers to questions concerning the identity and characteristics of at-risk students, and school intervention programs and their effectiveness. Data were gathered on 296 students in three…

This report summarizes the Early Childhood Assessment Project, which attempted to clarify issues confronting policy makers in early childhood special education through documentation of current practices, in-depth investigation of alternative approaches, and examination of predicted social, political, economic, and educational impact of alternative…