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)

This review assesses the potential impact of large-scale voucher programs, drawing on empirical literature in economics, education, and sociology. First, it describes the intellectual history and practice of vouchers. Second, it delineates an economic framework for understanding the effects that a voucher plan could have on schools and students.…

This article presents the background, the history, and the implications of the Larry P. v Riles decisions in 1972 and in 1979 in which a federal district court enjoined California from using any standardized intelligence tests to assess Black children for eligibility for classes of educable mentally retarded. (Author/CTM)

Separate papers discuss: (1) sensory deprivation; (2) effects of high rise housing; (3) clumsy children; (4) screening and labeling "at risk" students; (5) Piaget's conceptual development stages; and (6) movement education. (CP)

Reviews the history of racial nomenclature in the Americas with regard to indigenous peoples, African Americans, and mestizos (persons of mixed ancestry). Discusses influences of colonialism and racial discrimination on the naming of groups. Describes the Native American concept of identity as a series of concentric circles extending from one's…

This paper discusses the overuse of medications to deal with attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the classroom, offering suggestions related to teaching strategies, classroom environment, school environment, and home environment to help keep students' attention without resorting to medication. A chart shows the difference between ADD and other…

Introduces the idea that attention deficit disorder is a myth brought about by society's attempts to alter and adapt children's natural behaviors to fit the routines and limits of a flawed educational system. Anecdotes from Albany's Free School describe ways of working with children as unique individuals, based on the faith in every child's inborn…

This paper discusses how first-grade teachers often perceive which of their students will ultimately succeed in school and which students will drop out. It argues that teachers look at a child's gender, color, behavior patterns, dress, family status, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level and, either consciously or unconsciously, label that child and…

This handbook details how group leaders can adopt Project EASE (Exploring Aging through Shared Experiences), a program designed to provide opportunities for older adults and young people to interact in ongoing activities. Although the handbook is geared for children ages 9 through 13, it is adaptable for other ages and can be used in the…

This final report focused on research questions associated with reducing the segregation of students with learning disabilities (LD) in Virginia. A survey of special education supervisors, general education supervisors, building principals, general elementary and secondary education teachers, LD teachers, students with LD, and parents was…

This guide provides information about the nature of learning disabilities in higher education and about ways of assisting students with learning disabilities at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) to fulfill their potential. The booklet uses the metaphor of a "zig zag lightning in the brain" to describe the erratic thinking style…

An "applied folklore" study investigated the value of certain aspects of folklore theory in an effort to upgrade teaching effectiveness. A case study approach was used to determine if the concept of labeling perspective, as adapted and advanced by folklorist Patrick B. Mullen (1988), could provide useful insights when applied to local…

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…