A study examined the identification rate of mental retardation, learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, and emotional disturbance of 4,161 Head Start children as they completed first grade. Only 26% of the children meeting research diagnostic criteria in these four major categories were identified by the schools. (Author/CR)

This study surveyed 12 journals in the field of emotional and behavior disorders to explore trends in five dimensions of research: (1) subject characteristics; (2) settings; (3)research design; (4) dependent variables; and (5) independent variables (interventions). Negligible trends were found and few studies reported interventions that were…

A study examined effects of class-wide curricular modification on the engagement and behaviors of six students (ages 13-14) with emotional disturbances, in a self-contained science class. Modifications included providing opportunities for choice making and ensuring activities were of high interest, which resulted in increased engagement and…

This article examines the legal basis for providing psychotherapy services to students with emotional or behavioral disorders and presents an analysis of the litigation concerning psychotherapy. It discusses psychotherapy as a related service, who can provide psychotherapy, how a child's need for psychotherapy is established, and placement for…

The First Step to Success program was implemented with 22 kindergartners who showed early signs of developing antisocial behaviors. All 16 who completed the program showed significantly increased levels of academic engaged time, with follow-up levels generally maintained at acceptable levels. Overall behavioral improvement was significant but…

This article explores three issues in determining appropriate placements for students with emotional and behavioral disorders: (1) objectives of the full inclusion movement in relation to the education of these students; (2) current court cases focusing on inclusion; and (3) promising practices for educating these students in a general education…

A survey of 244 teachers of the behaviorally disordered indicated that school/setting factors, career issues, and workload variables were perceived as more stressful than direct contact with students. Exhaustion, frustration, and negative carryover to life outside the classroom were frequent effects of stress. Strategies for dealing with stress…

This paper argues that the new federal definition for emotional or behavioral disorders may deny services to many deserving pupils, such as urban socially maladjusted youth, homosexuals, historically oppressed minorities, and students from low-income households. The role of teachers, teacher education programs, and professional groups in this…

Research is reviewed on classroom behavior, demandingness, and beliefs of effective teachers of nonhandicapped students with behavior problems, and the need for different attitudes and additional skills for teaching students with behavioral disorders is discussed. Teacher characteristics analyzed include instructional and management strategies,…

This article suggests that, because a hostile environment is associated with the development of mental and behavioral disorders, a restructuring of the schools to incorporate ongoing nurturing and academic training of younger students by older students would develop important psychological skills and thereby prevent mental and behavioral…

This paper addresses effective longitudinal technical assistance for professionals serving young children with challenging behaviors. Critical components of such assistance include identifying and training districtwide technical assistance teams, developing operating procedures, generating districtwide support, and evaluating team effectiveness.…

The relationship between prenatal drug exposure, emotional and behavioral disorder (E/BD) identification in Head Start, and subsequent special education kindergarten placement in 145 Head Start children (ages 3-4) was examined. Results showed that 47% of the drug-exposed group versus 35% of the non-drug-exposed group met classification criteria…

A study examined the effects of a 2-year follow-up prevention program for 31 Head Start kindergarten and first-grade students with behavior problems. Results indicated reduced inappropriate behaviors, including aggression, grabbing, out-of-seat behaviors, and negative verbal statements. Improved compliance and more positive peer interactions were…

This article describes the development of the Head Start Mental Health Research Consortium, a research partnership between the Administration on Children, Youth and Families and the National Institute of Mental Health. The Consortium is designed to assess mental health needs of low-income children and optimal approaches for addressing these needs.…

This article discusses the disproportional placement of African-American males in programs for students with serious emotional disturbance and their poor school outcomes. It urges educators to focus more attention on appropriate and successful interventions within a continuum of educational services for this population. Case examples are provided…