This study, part of a larger ethnographic study of elementary students categorized as at-risk, attempts to determine whether the labelling of students affects teachers' expectations of, and behavior toward, at-risk students. The beliefs of a teacher sample of five women, three Hispanic and two Anglo, at two urban schools in the Southwest with…

The study described in this book examined at close range the experiences of 12 elementary school students (enrolled in two schools) who were considered at-risk within the context of their specific classroom and school. The meaning of at-risk status to the teachers and other school personnel is determined, and the interaction between the context…

Current research is cited in this exploration of the impact of environmental, attitudinal, and social-psychological factors on the career development potential of individuals with handicaps severely limiting to daily functioning. First, the words "disability" and "handicap" are defined, demonstrating that an individual may be handicapped by…

The manual is designed to be used with a 22-minute film to provide individualized instruction on a decision systems approach to special education placement for mildly handicapped students. It is explained that the film poses simulated confrontations between an elementary school teacher, principal, guidance counselor, and parents. The material in…

Results of the "A Study of Schooling" survey indicate that the practice of tracking in secondary schools makes it difficult for schools to achieve either academic excellence or equality of educational opportunities. Tracking, furthermore, forces schools to perpetuate social and economic inequalities. Eight footnotes are appended. (IW)

This book contends that the American public education system has made "black male" synonymous with "disabled" through the creation of the labels "Behavior Disorders" and "Emotional Disorders." These labels, which say that African American boys cannot behave without special treatment, juvenile probation, and,…

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…

This article discusses explanations for aggressive biting among young children and describes an intervention for family or early childhood settings. Strategies include avoiding labeling the child, teaching the child to view biting as unsafe, teaching appropriate play behaviors with peers, acknowledging appropriate behaviors, providing…

Describes the development and execution of a course entitled, "The Psychology of Sexual Orientation," the purpose of which is to examine the experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in a thoughtful, scholarly, and informative manner. Course content addresses a broad range of issues including sexual norms, heterosexism,…

This article considers current educational trends that may undermine the service delivery system for individuals with severe learning disabilities, including influence of terminology, teacher-training models, full inclusion, curriculum-based assessment, reliance on quantitative decision making, adherence to singular teaching methodologies, and…

Recounts a student teacher's field experience which involved conducting a case study of one elementary student. She followed the class's only Hispanic student who was labeled a low achiever with an uncooperative family but who was actually very capable. Though she could not intervene, the experience shaped her teaching career. (SM)

Examines the history and various educational constructs underlying different programs for at-risk students and recent federal and state legislative definitions of at-risk students. Presents a legal analysis of the different types of definitions; determines the social construction of reality implicit in the definitions and poses possible…

Labeling students by their behavior is dangerous because, once labels are established, it is difficult to see when they become inappropriate. The article discusses five levels of labeling and suggests that it is more appropriate to describe behavior than to describe people and objects. (SM)

This paper argues that there are common factors in successful classroom practice with regard to managing behaviour in classrooms, and particularly when teachers successfully meet the needs of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). These common factors could be used to predict the success of current and future…

This study addressed policy problems encountered during the process of identifying and remediating pupils with learning disabilities (LD) in New York State. An ethnographic approach was used in the detailed analysis of policy as it affected 13 elementary LD students (from urban, suburban, and rural schools), their parents, and service providers.…