In the last year, there has been a resurgence of articles and reports in media outlets such as "The New York Times," "PBS NewsHour," "EdWeek," and "The Atlantic" about students experiencing reading difficulties. Many of these pieces have created confusion and provided misinformation by oversimplifying both…

The booklet presents information to help parents raise their gifted and/or creative preschool children. M. Sapon-Shevin and M. Shevin, in "Issues for Parents: Implications of the 'Gifted' Label," review the functions of labels, describe the educational needs of gifted children, and suggest ways in which parents can act as advocates. In "Issues for…

Labeling is a social process involving the labeled individual and society. Labeling a student "gifted" can have both positive and negative effects on the labeled student, the student's parents, siblings, teachers, and others. Suggestions are offered to maximize the positive elements of the label and to minimize its negative elements. (JDD)

This paper describes the process of developmental assessment of infants and young children from a parent's perspective. The artificial and arbitrary nature of most assessments is bemoaned as failing to adequately recognize children's abilities that may be readily evident to parents in more natural settings. Assessments emphasizing children's…

The recommendations of the National Association of State Boards of Education's Study Group on Special Education focus on: (1) creation of a new belief system and vision that includes all students; (2) encouragement of collaboration between general and special educators to better serve the diverse student population; and (3) breaking the link…

A school psychologist and parent looks at issues related to testing for "giftedness," including labeling and placement (or non-placement) in special programs. Factors to consider in deciding whether to have a child tested are considered, with examples given of students whose individual situations and personalities either do not qualify them for…

This manual is intended to facilitate the integration of children with mental handicaps into child care centers in Canada and elsewhere. The first chapter looks at the background of integration in early childhood child care programs in Canada and identifies concerns of parents. The second chapter explores the practice of labelling children with…

This handbook provides a guide to assist African American parents of children with learning disabilities to become advocates for their children and raise awareness about learning differences. An introductory section notes the disproportionate risk of African American boys for being labeled mentally retarded and placed in special education. The…

Focusing on students who are often referred to as "at risk," this book discusses the theory supporting whole language learning for all students and describes, in detail, the practical strategies used to help these students become readers and writers. The book, through its explanation of theory as well as presentation of individual…

The results of a 2-year study examining the ways that four major urban school systems (New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston) sort students into different schools, tracks, ability groups, and grade levels are summarized in this report. The study looked carefully at the effects of these sorting practices on low-income, minority, limited…

This guide for parents of gifted children in Texas is intended to provide general information and sources of additional help. Section 1 examines the meaning of being gifted and talented and provides the Texas definition of giftedness, lists of characteristics and concomitant problems of gifted and talented children, and a discussion of the highly…

Presents 10 major issues parents need to address effectively in order to advocate for their children's education (safety, discipline, practices and policies, grading, labels, bias, curriculum and schedules, standardized tests, homework, and subject anxiety). The article suggests appropriate questions to ask the schools. (SM)

Noting that the collective stories of special education have grown out of a tradition that, by its nature tends to perpetuate problems, this book examines such narratives and how they influence thinking and belief about intelligence and learning. It begins by examining how the current story of intelligence developed and illustrates some of the…