This paper views effective communication as an essential component of appropriate social behavior, provides definitions and conceptualizations of social skills and social competence within academic contexts, and describes social skills assessment and intervention procedures for school-age children and youth with and without disabilities.…

This discussion of the legal considerations and safeguards concerning the assessment of students at risk for school failure focuses on procedural safeguards and best practices for assessing at-risk students at the prereferral intervention stage and the formal assessment stage, and considers the assessment of educational results. (DB)

This paper contrasts research knowledge and practice knowledge in special education; describes factors that moderate the influence of research on practice, including teacher knowledge and learning, teacher attitudes and beliefs, and context; and considers issues in reconceptualizing the relationship between research and practice in special…

Honoring the contributions of Dr. Rand's educational research, this issue presents an editorial and 11 articles on learning and motivation. Articles deal with theories of learning and motivation as well as instructional practices in motivation, student characteristics and involvement, and educational technology. (SLD)

This paper outlines the manner in which education is provided for children with intellectual disabilities in China, focusing on programs offered in two special primary schools and a special kindergarten. The paper concludes that there appears to be a very large group of school-aged children who remain unserved by the educational system, especially…

A survey of 216 special education teachers examined whether previously identified effective teaching practices for mildly handicapped students were being implemented in special education classrooms in rural Mississippi. Results indicate a high level of acceptance and implementation of best practices. Length of teaching experience was related to…

Peer coaching as an approach to faculty development is introduced. A 1.5-year formative assessment of one family physician's teaching practices and beliefs describes the process as a mechanism for improving clinical teaching skills. (SLD)

This article examines contextual issues relevant to the application of developmentally appropriate practices to young children with special needs. Appropriate practices recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children are compared with those published by the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional…

Describes the 1968 initiative in Sweden to establish a national continuing education program and its lack of government support under the current administration. Suggests that the program was never comprehensively implemented, and argues that these policy shifts present education policy as an arena for ideological struggle. (40 citations) (MAB)

Discusses the recent trend of blaming parents for the academic failure of their children, and describes how some programs are attempting to make parents more responsible for their child's performance, a practice that in one case provoked a negative reaction from parents. The author discusses criticism of this new trend and explains why its…

The introduction and six articles of this special issue focus on curriculum evaluation in the Netherlands, reviewing approaches and results in the nation overall, and in the specific areas of physics, mathematics, and English. The use of innovative approaches and practice profiles is also explored. (SLD)

Managing the psychological depth of responses to adventure activities calls for the leader to attend to own language and language of group participants. Describes eight levels of psychological depth occurring during group discussion and interaction. Addresses the need to stay at or above the agreed-upon level and avoid moving into psychotherapy.…

Discusses the nature of reflective practice and its importance in school leaders' preparation and professional development. Professional preparation that develops reflective practice helps resolve the theory-practice dichotomy and improve professional practice. Preparation programs must provide experiences that elicit critical application of…

This article discusses the special education system in Nigeria, focusing on integration; training of special educators; medical, health, and welfare services for children with disabilities; recreational facilities; employment opportunities; national planning; and problems and successes. (JDD)

Opportunities presented to both regular and special educators by the changing demographic characteristics of students are outlined. The paper calls for adopting a philosophy that all children can learn, using intervention assistance programs, fostering student opportunities for peer collaboration and mentoring, and infusing multicultural knowledge…