The second of four documents provides a summary of the scientific literature pertaining to spontaneous language acquisition in handicapped preschool children, and reviews and evaluates procedures for assessing language acquisition in these children. Chapter l focuses on language development in nonhandicapped children after they have acquired their…

Study of kindergarten retention in Colorado reveals the following: (1) kindergarten retention does nothing to boost subsequent academic achievement; (2) regardless of what it is called, kindergarten retention creates a social stigma; and (3) kindergarten retention feeds the escalation of inappropriate academic demand in first grade. Policy…

The article reviews the current situation in preschool special education: who is served, how they are served, and program costs; predicted is program expansion under Public Law 99-457. A strategy is recommended for developing state preschool special education policies that take into account costs as well as benefits. (Author/DB)

Assumes a process-in-action approach to studying young children's concept of self. Conceptualizes self-concept as spontaneously emerging from social interaction. Pedagogical implications are provided to suggest that teachers can take a number of positive steps toward respecting and enhancing children's attempts to achieve self-other knowledge.…

Argues that teachers can take advantage of child-initiated explorations to develop beginning reading and writing skills. Offers specific recommendations and suggestions. (FL)

This paper reviews the literature examining the lifelong challenges to family members represented by the birth of a child with severe disabilities. The paper addresses issues of family life, the systems that affect families, and current and future concerns related to having a child with severe disabilities. Studies addressing families of infants,…

This paper shows examples of thought-provoking picture and chapter books that can be used as springboards for discussing, analyzing, and solving authentic problems by pre-school through middle-level children in diverse settings. The paper begins with a description of a conference presentation which introduced participants to the notion of using…

While elementary and secondary educators are pursuing a results orientation as a means of educational reform and pedagogical improvement, the early childhood field has not explored sufficiently the desirability and feasibility of, nor the process for, establishing child-based standards and results for younger children. This report presents a…

This fact sheet uses a question-and-answer format to summarize what is known about HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and pediatric AIDS and applies this information to children in school settings. Questions and answers address the following topics: what the AIDS disease and HIV infection are; estimates…

This paper provides an overview of SuccessMaker, a computer-based reading program that uses literature-based activities to focus on comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, and writing. Intended for use with students in prekindergarten through grade 8, the curriculum challenges students to apply knowledge from literature, content-area reading and…

Many researchers in the field of education and psychology have been aware of the tremendous impact of the environment as a complex system on human development. By providing and creating the most favorable environment for children, active and wholesome social development is promoted. Three principle areas of concern in creating a quality early…

This document presents text and data tables excerpted from the 1999 U.S. Department of Education's "Twenty-First Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)" (1999) related to two programs: the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, Part C of…

Ten articles, taken from the "Encyclopedia Yearbook of China, 1980," provide a comprehensive survey of Chinese education in the post-Mao era. Topics discussed include educational administration; preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education; technical schools; special education; physical education; education for the workers;…

Recent empirical evidence for the influence of examiner's race on examinee's performance on intelligence tests is reviewed. The current literature, 1966 through 1980, offers little support for the hypothesis that examiner's race has a systematic effect on examinee's performance on intelligence tests. Conceptual and methodological issues are…

Examines various explanations for the lack of reading problems in Japan, including the nature of the Japanese written language, the interest of Japanese parents in teaching young children to read, the different perceptual processes involved in reading Japanese, and the quantity of Japanese publications suitable for preschool children. (FL)