Analyses of home movies taken by 12 parents before recognition of their children's autistic disorders confirmed that anomalies could be noted as early as the first few months of life, such as anomalies of eye contact, deficient variability of emotional expression, deficit of attention, and initiation of communication, and motor abnormalities.…

A teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (District of Columbia) recounts how she learned to use the Whole Language approach to writing instruction, to encourage student writing and conduct teacher/student conferences, and to stimulate students' reading interests. (DB)

The Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery identifies cognitive deficits and localizes specific brain impairment in individuals age 15 or older. The instrument uses visual stimulus cards and an audiotape to assess performance in such areas as tactile functions, speech, arithmetic, and memory. This paper examines test administration, summation…

Three curricular approaches to spelling instruction are discussed: whole word; phonemic; and morphemic. Sameness analysis is used to indicate the theoretical potential of each approach for helping students with learning disabilities to achieve generalization in their spelling, and the influence of generalization upon retention and transfer is…

Evaluation of the impact of prospective students' contacts with the institution is an objective of the admissions research agenda at Tufts University (Massachusetts). An annual survey gathers information on individuals who make inquiries but do not submit an application and on the parents of matriculating students. (MSE)

Discussion of the rising costs of academic library materials and their effects on collection development focuses on the social science collection. It is suggested that combining the numerical weights used by the Research Libraries Group Conspectus to evaluate subject collections with estimates of publication production and changes provides a…

Describes new methods of bibliographic instruction for the OCLC version of ERIC on CD-ROM at Lehman College of the City University of New York that were precipitated by a revision in the searching software. Librarian training is discussed and small group instruction for students is explained. (LRW)

Advocates using baseball statistics to illustrate the advantages of specialization in production. Using Babe Ruth's record as an analogy, suggests a methodology for determining a player's comparative advantage as a teaching illustration. Includes the team's statistical profile in five tables to explain comparative advantage and profit maximizing.…

Describes the methodology for teaching cognitive self-direction (CSD) to preservice teachers, presenting an overview of the CSD model. The CSD curriculum model includes productive strategies such as modeling plus self-verbalization (goal-setting, guiding, and reinforcing behaviors). Benefits to preservice teacher education include improved lesson…

Community college students' (n=662) scores on My Vocational Situation related modestly to some concurrent signs of career progress but did not predict grades or enrollment decisions, thereby calling into question the instrument's usefulness for prescription or evaluation, unless it is revised. (Author)

Describes how the school literary journal can be used to publish students' writing about public affairs to add new dimensions to the journal and transform it to a comprehensive display of students' interests and writing abilities. (MG)

Discusses a course on shared-document writing in which students indicate that they value the time allowed to coordinate groups and to understand and complete assignments. Asserts that structuring the course necessitates assigning work relating to a single topic and providing choices, including a voice in group formation and evaluation. (PRA)

For several years, small primary schools in England and Wales have been threatened with closure because of feasibility and educational quality concerns. This article argues that school effectiveness depends not on size or age distribution, but on teaching methods, curriculum and staff organization, resource availability, collegial interaction, and…

Ten suggestions for fostering motivation in adolescents with learning disabilities include encourage choices; advocate ownership; strive for relevance; give positive and negative feedback; set high, but manageable expectations; encourage activity and interaction; and model--share your enthusiasm for books. (DB)

Literature concerning "idiots savants" is reviewed, and various theories and possible explanations are discussed, as are common areas of expertise and cognitive traits. Several case studies are used to illustrate the possible relationship between autism and idiots savants. Educational implications of these findings are considered.…