Introduces ecological framework for assessment and rehabilitation planning of learning disabled persons to facilitate integration of information and perspectives. Operationalizes framework through four dimensions: individual attributes; environmental attributes; nature, quality, and sequence of interactions; and perceptions of involved…

This article: 1) defines the nature of social studies and its relations with society; 2) introduces a model explaining this relationship and tests it with four social studies texts; 3) identifies major social problems looming in the future; and, 4) predicts the nature of future social studies. (Author/JB)

Describes the basic philosophy, nomenclature, and techniques used in mathematical modelling to enable biologists, engineers, land managers, and others to understand the concepts and usefulness of models. Contrasts conceptual and empirical approaches, using ecosystem models as an example of the former. (DC)

This is an in-depth description of a role-playing exercise designed to help students explore the problems of community decision making in the face of an environmental crisis. Within simulated city council meetings students consider alternative models of economic and political trade-offs and their social, political and environmental consequences.…

An ecological model for employment preparation in high schools that is based upon successful post-school community job placement for students with severe handicaps is discussed. The paper addresses the functions of employment training, the components of a community-referenced model, and implications for model implementation. (Author/JDD)

Four approaches to services and intervention design for young children with learning and/or behavior problems are described, followed by a discussion of PASSKey (planned activity, systematic sampling, and keystone behavior), an ecobehavioral and naturalistic approach to intervention design. A case study illustrates the model. (Author/DB)

This final report describes Project BLEND (Beginning Learning Experiences in Developmentally Inclusive Groups and at Home), a project designed to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate an ecological model for early intervention for children with developmental delays. Project BLEND included the following components: (a) the partnership…

In this document, a multifactorial model of child abuse dynamics is presented. Designed to illustrate the simultaneous mutual interaction among factors contributing to an episode of child abuse, the model is intended to serve as a conceptual skeleton providing a context for comparing abuse factors. Child abuse is defined broadly as "the physical…

Defines the problem of child abuse, indicates problems of researching the phenomenon, and presents the thesis that the maltreatment of children is fundamentally a cultural problem. Proposes four hypotheses concerning the origins of child abuse and discusses the role of schools in prevention and treatment. (RH)

Presents a comparison of human population and pathologic models. Builds support for a hypothesis that the human population is a planetary cancer by establishing the following: (1) features of human populations; (2) characteristics of human populations and other biological communities; (3) models of pathologic processes; and (4) malignant…

This paper critically examines the concepts of professions and professionalization that prevail in the early childhood literature and offers alternative conceptualizations from the sociology of professions. After delineating traditional concepts of professions, Wilensky's (1964) popular definition of a profession is adopted for this examination.…

Describes construction of a model ecosystem using a 10-gallon aquarium with a sand, water and air interface. Pesticides are placed on sorghum plants grown on the terrestrial portion. After 30 days, movement of the pesticide is traced using radioisotope techniques, from terrestrial to aquatic organisms. Details for calculating concentration factors…

This study comparing three theoretical orientations of educational failure found that predictors based on child deficit assumptions were least able to discriminate among low, average, and high teacher recommendations; those based on environment deficit assumptions were more able; and those based on ecological assumptions were most able. All…

This study employed an ecological perspective to predict variations in the rate of child abuse and neglect among children aged 0 to 19 years in Alberta, Canada, in 1986. Positive correlates of the child maltreatment rate included population change, unemployment rate, percent Native, and North West region of Alberta. Implications for assessing…

The research literature is reviewed for transitions from birth to eight years. A model describes transition as a change in ecocultural niche, requiring accommodations in daily routines for a child, family, and service providers and transition impact measures the number of accommodations required and the sustainability of daily routines.…