This study, involving 87 special-education directors, examined the number of referred students assessed for special-education services over the last 10 years and the number of assessed students declared eligible and served. Results indicated 90 to 92% of referrals were tested and 70 to 74% of tested students were declared eligible. (Author/CR)

Most conceptualizations of learning disabilities are based on discrepancies between ability and achievement, but the dimensions of this parameter have not been documented. Discrepancies for 83 third graders, 48 fifth graders, and 50 twelfth graders were compared. The use of ability achievement discrepancies to determine the need for special…

The psychoeducational processes school diagnosticians use in decisions about students were studied. Bogus referral problem information for one of 16 "cases" was provided: assessment data indicated average performance. Fifty-two percent of the subjects recommended special education for the average child; these decisions were a function of referral…

Over 200 professionals from schools in Minnesota participated in a computer simulated investigation of psychoeducational assessment and decision making for handicapped children. Demographic data were collected from each subject; estimates of the incidence of various handicapping conditions and knowledge of assessment was evaluated by a pretest.…

A common practice in the field of learning disabilities is analysis of ability-achievement discrepancies. The reliability of such difference scores is an important statistic in such decision making. In the study, selected ability and achievement devices were administered to a sample of 99 fourth grade low achievers (half of whom were identified as…

Parents of children with disabilities (n=80) or giftedness (n=19) commented on their children's participation in an open enrollment program. Twelve broad topics were identified by the Minnesota parents, including teacher/administration attitude, transportation/location, programs for special needs students, student's attitude and behavior change,…

This report is a summary of a March 1994 meeting to agree on guidelines for making inclusion and accommodation decisions concerning students with disabilities in national and state large-scale assessments. Much of the discussion at the meeting focused on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Factors that lead to the exclusion of…

Because a critical issue in current assessment efforts is the widespread use of technically inadequate tests, the study examined tests chosen by 159 school professionals during a computer simulation of placement decision making about potentially handicapped students. Chi square analysis showed technically adequate devices were chosen…

Educational decision makers (N=224) participated in a computer simulated decision making experience to ascertain the extent to which referral information on a child with a suspected handicapping condition biased classification decisions. Ss were randomly assigned to 16 conditions varying on the basis of the child's sex, socioeconomic status,…

A study was conducted to document how 10 teachers of preschool handicapped children make decisions related to Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and revision, monitoring of pupil progress, and instructional modifications. Information also was obtained about exit criteria for students in programs for preschool handicapped children.…

A limited national sample of 49 school psychologists and 30 regular education teachers provided information on assessment procedures for the purpose of instructional planning. Results showed some indications of agreement between school psychologists and teachers, but also several inconsistencies in the views of the two groups. (Author/RC)

A technique called the Instructional Environment System-II is presented as a framework for assessing the performance and learning outcomes of students with disabilities in the context of classroom and home environments and developing an effective instructional program. A case description of a third-grade boy with difficulty in reading and…

This article discusses what the term "outcomes" encompasses at the national, state, district, and building or classroom level, and provides descriptions of current and proposed strategies for establishing standards and assessing the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. Personal perspectives from national, state, and local educators…

By setting academic standards, America takes its first critical step toward providing a plan that will create an excellent educational system for the 21st century. It is important for those working on standards and those educating students with disabilities to work together as standards are being developed. Four kinds of standards need to be…

Ecological case study methods were used in four early childhood special education (ECSE) screening programs to identify factors influencing outcomes of screening. Observations, interviews, file searches, and parent surveys were used to obtain multidimensional descriptions of ECSE programs, including outreach, screening, and referral practices. Two…