Discusses a study of three high-quality curriculum models designed for disadvantaged preschoolers: programed learning, open-framework (teacher and child-initiated activities), and child-centered. While the study showed that diverse curriculum models can be equally effective, the age 15 data point to child-initiated learning activities as most…

Low socially accepted learning-disabled intermediate-grade students (N=86) were paired with 86 high socially accepted, nonhandicapped classmates for 8 weeks in 4 groups: mutual interest group, cooperative academic task group, Hawthorne effect/control group, and classroom control group. Evaluated were changes in classmates' ratings of…

Students who are mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or socially maladjusted often do not receive needed educational or community services. This article discusses incidence rates for these troubled students, describes the special needs of troubled adolescents, presents a proposal for the creation of "Boards for Children in Trouble," and…

Presents study results regarding the social cognitive abilities of deaf adolescents. Explains that role taking ability and nonverbal sensitivity was evaluated in a series of tests. Reports low performance in social cognitive abilities. Suggests that language plays a role in social adjustment. Concludes that nonverbal sensitivity is an important…

Described is a psychoeducational model for developing social contract between teachers and acting out children which uses an alternative behavior to teach social competence in the classroom. (LS)

This document is a plan for tracking students' social growth by the college resident assistant and for evaluating the students' growth and the resident assistant's performance. The plan, based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Affective Cognitive Processes, includes a clarified purpose, objectives for implementation, shared assessment values, and continuing…

Four authors present arguments and counter-arguments on issues in gifted education, including student boredom, the atrophying of abilities not used, advanced classes which focus on ability but are out of step with student interests, problems of social adjustment in grade-skipping, etc. All authors stress the importance of the whole child. (JDD)

School-based, social problem-solving (SPS) training offers promise both for the prevention and remediation of social maladjustment of disabled children, with emphasis placed on social competence, social skills, and social problem-solving. Strategies for maximizing SPS skills acquisition include repetition, modeling, and role-playing. (CB)

The article traces etiological factors in the development of social interactional problems of learning disabled children and youth. Treatment issues centering on family interaction patterns are described, and an integrated treatment approach involving family intervention is recommended. (JW)

Issues relevant to the school-to-community transition of deaf adolescents were identified and subsequently prioritized by 339 deafness professionals. Issues receiving highest priority were related to joint planning efforts among schools, departments of vocational rehabilitation, and families; training of independent living skills; and development…

A parent, who is also an educator, describes her concerns about her gifted daughter's lack of challenge in school in spite of accelerated activities. After the student skipped a grade, other concerns resulted, such as the impact on academic adjustment, social adjustment, peer acceptance, motivation, gaps in skills, etc. (JDD)

Learning disabled (n=34) and low-achieving (n=34) incarcerated delinquents (16-19 years) were assigned to social metacognitive training, attention control, or test-only control groups. Those given metacognitive training improved in rehabilitation achievement and other areas of social adjustment, with a greater proportion of the learning disabled…

Normal children (average age 11, n=25) and multiply disabled children (aged 9-15, n=8) were integrated in physical education classes, emphasizing work with disabled-normal dyads. Girls were more willing than boys to accept disabled children into their groups, but during individual activities, boys were less reticent about making physical contact.…

The Social Observation for Mainstreamed Environments (SOME) checklist evaluates handicapped preschool children's social skills and readiness for mainstreamed environments. Checklist items represent social behaviors important to successful preschool integration, such as initiating interactions appropriately, obeying class rules, and respecting…

The study compared the effects of different play conditions (microcomputer, remote-control robot, or no toys) on the amount of time four dyads of handicapped/nonhandicapped children would interact during structured play. Results suggested that microcomputers may serve as social facilitators for children with significant social and language…