This meta-analysis with literature review considers whether the self-concepts of gifted and nongifted children differ and explores the effects on self-concept of labeling a child as gifted and placing the child in special programs. Studies indicate a generally higher academic self-concept among gifted students. (SLD)

Reviewed is the literature on issues relating to the evaluation of special education programs with special emphasis on the comparison of regular versus special class placement and Canadian programs. Results of studies dealing with effects of mainstreaming or special class services are reviewed in terms of social acceptance by peers, self concept,…

This book tells the stories of eight people with above average to highly gifted levels of intellect, who also have significant, previously unrecognized and undiagnosed, learning disabilities. Their discovery of their true abilities and gifts after years of humiliation within the educational system and the trials of daily life is detailed. The…

The paper discusses the results of a longitudinal study, conducted in Swedish public schools, of children in the sixth grade in 1979-80 (n=116) and children in the third grade in 1981-82 (n=123) with mild mental retardation who had not been labeled. The study replicates an earlier study on the incidence of mild mental retardation which was…

Interviews with five people labelled as mentally retarded revealed that they recognized being "different" in terms of the labels applied to them by others, but they do not use those same labels when defining themselves or choosing their close friends. (Author/BJV)

A study examined the labeling practices in the multicultural discourse in two adult education settings in Sweden: a day folk high school and a municipal adult education center. A total of 33 students and 9 staff members from two adult education programs were interviewed. The labeling processes used by the "actors" (the adult learners and…

A case study followed a child from birth to approximately age eight, recording his early successes with learning language and reading skills, and then discusses his academic decline after being labeled a low achiever and a candidate for remedial classes. The child had learned to construct words from magnetic letters at an early age, and by age…

This description of toddlers and preschool children emphasizes how young children think and describes the development of self-concept. Language development and antisocial and prosocial behavior are also discussed. The exploration of children's thought processes begins with two principles: (1) Concepts originate in activity; and (2) Motor…

Reviews an ethnographic analysis of Teach for America, a 1990 educational reform program that illustrates how underlying assumptions about "marginal" urban and rural students and their "deficient" environments solidify existing power structures, acculturate students to middle-class norms, generate resistance to teachers, and…

Efforts at one high school to reconsider its practices of ability grouping and explore alternative assessment and grouping practices are described. Assessment of the schools' practices found that students in lower ability groups had a less stimulating curriculum, fewer positive role models, lower motivation, lower expectations for themselves, and…

Examines the impact of mass media on children's choices of heroes and role models. Addresses questions of which cultural messages children attend to, whether role models vary according to ethnicity and gender, and the role played by educators in exposing children to previously unconsidered role models. (DLH)

The Mexican American's education is affected by such societal factors as the (1) referent used to identify these Americans; (2) relationships created and affected by historical events; (3) access to participation in the educational process at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels; (4) curriculum offering at all levels; and (5)…

Advances in learning and behavioral disabilities are considered in this 10-chapter volume. Contents include: "Developmental Language Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" (Cynthia A. Riccio and George W. Hynd); "Self-Regulated Strategy Development: A Theoretical and Practical Perspective" (Lisa P. Case et al.); "Mapping the…