The reliability and validity properties of the Brigance K&1 screen were examined with a sample of 134 Head Start children preparing to enter kindergarten. Prediction/outcome analyses, intended to explore the test's accuracy in predicting special-education status at the end of preschool, indicated a relatively high false negative rate and a…

The deficit theory and the difference theory of linguistic competence are reviewed. The notion of linguistic differences between the dialect of black children and that of the majority society is supported. Implications for educational methods are discussed, culminating in a proposed "two-way" bilingual approach for working with deaf children.…

Though some unexpected sex differences were discovered, the two diagnostic categories were not found to be psychometrically distinct. Further, the results of a longitudinal analysis suggested that, while IQ scores remained relatively stable over time within a subset of the original sample, achievement scores definitely declined. (Author)

An attempt was made to determine if a socioeconomic bias in placement existed. No statistically significant differences that would indicate an SES bias were found. Other factors may contribute to special education placement. Significant agreement was found between school psychologists and teacher consultants with respect to placement decisions.…