Until recently, the Chicano was strongly influenced by the Mexican cultural tradition that looks on the school as an institution where decisions regarding his children were not to be questioned. The teacher's word was law and children were expected to be respectful, obedient and hardworking. It was unthinkable to go to the school to question their…

Despite its reputation for being a scientific and precise tool for measurement, psychological testing is a culturally biased procedure that results in discrimination against minority groups, particularly against minority students. Academic achievement and intelligence tests, the two types of tests most frequently used in public schools, assume…

This ethnographic study of two kindergarten classes in a racially-mixed "magnet" school investigates three issues: (1) the extent to which teachers' definitions of appropriate behavior in an instructional context are shared by children in free play context, (2) whether or not classroom social structure differs when teachers have contrasting…

The manual contains a survey of literature on the resource room approach to mainstreaming for educable mentally retarded children. Intended to facilitate educational planning in New Jersey, the manual reviews research on such topics as the historical development of special education services; admissions procedures; the impact of judicial decisions…

Provided is the transcript of Part V of a five-part series on gifted children in the schools, presented by Options in Education -- a weekly radio broadcast devoted to coverage of news, features, policy, and people in the field of education on National Public Radio. Some personal experiences of gifted and talented persons are described; and various…

Special education categories for mildly handicapped students are not reliable nor valid as indicators of particular forms of education. Their use is expensive and inefficient, causing disjointedness in school programs. A program of pilot projects is recommended in conjunction with regular educators to redesign categorical programs and policies.…

Learning disabled (N=78) and educable mentally retarded (N=47) elementary students, when taught by teachers whose certification matched child label, did not make significantly greater gains than when instructed by teachers with licenses not matching pupil label. The data support a noncategorical service delivery model with implications for student…

Devereaux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale scores of 64 handicapped and nonhandicapped Anglo and Mexican American children were analyzed for effects of ethnicity and diagnostic labels on Anglo teachers' ratings of children's behaviors in mainstream classrooms. Significant differences by ethnicity appeared in ratings of…

This report addresses these questions, and includes an analysis of nationally representative cognitive and achievement data to illustrate the dangers in making blanket assumptions about appropriate achievement expectations for individuals based on their cognitive ability or diagnostic label. In addition, a review of research on the achievement…

Children are entitled to grow up in secure and nurturing environments that include caring adults; safe streets; decent shelter; adequate nutrition; access to health care and education; and advocacy on their behalf against the toxic influences of society. Far too many children are being referred to special education and mislabeled and medicated.…

This volume offers 12 readings which attempt to synthesize key ideas underlying a shift toward functional and noncategorical approaches to special education in light of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. The chapters are: (1) "Origins of Categorical Special Education Services in Schools and a Rationale for…

This paper discusses the outcomes of a Finnish study that investigated the school experiences of former special education students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Twenty-three former students, who had attended classes for students with emotional and behavioral disorders were interviewed. The students had been out of special education and…

Two problem areas emerge in the provision of nonbiased multifactored assessment for handicapped students or students potentially in need of special education services: (1) the current classification system stigmatizes pupils identified as handicapped; and (2) there is disproportionate identification of minority students as handicapped.…

Describes a program undertaken by the Board of Education in Champaign, Illinois, to reevaluate and reclassify large numbers of Black children inappropriately classified as educable mentally handicapped (EMH). Raises policy considerations for school districts seeking to provide a remedy for students mistakenly classified as EMH. (MJL)

Explains the fallacy of assuming racial and ethnic equality in drug problems. Demonstrates that the most serious consequences of illegal drug involvement fall disproportionately on minorities. Discusses drug related theft and imprisonment and eco-social repercussions of being labeled an addict. Discusses inadequate data sources for drug…