A questionnaire administered to 305 gifted students, ages 9-17, enrolled in a summer program, examined perceptions and attitudes related to the gifted label and available educational opportunities. Analysis of responses yielded four factors: (1) acceptance of the gifted label; (2) perception of ability as incremental; (3) preference for…

Presents 10 major issues parents need to address effectively in order to advocate for their children's education (safety, discipline, practices and policies, grading, labels, bias, curriculum and schedules, standardized tests, homework, and subject anxiety). The article suggests appropriate questions to ask the schools. (SM)

This bulletin presents two articles which challenge the current special education system, one in terms of the conceptualization of disability and the second in terms of differential and discriminatory treatment of poor and minority youth. The first article titled "New Trends in Disability Studies: Implications for Educational Policy" (Harlan Hahn)…

This reports offers a synthesis of the current knowledge and theoretical positions concerning the disproportionate representation of minorities in special education. It is divided into five broad sections: (1) an introduction which clarifies the terminology and purpose of the report; (2) an overview of the position of minority students in the…

Two projects in the teacher education program at Seton Hall University gave assignments involving basic qualitative research methods as applied to a focused goal of interaction between future teachers and their students. The first project focused on life in community residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities, and the second…

This case study of a biracial student who was actually pushed out from the regular school system focuses on the student's perceived reality. The theory supporting the study is Labeling Theory, which asserts that the way in which a student is labeled is dependent on the social context of the student. The subject, a biracial 14-year-old in an…

this monograph presents the proceedings of a symposium on early childhood special education. The proceedings stress: (1) the importance of a family-centered approach in early intervention; (2) the need for more parents' participation; and (3) the value of continuity and coordination in service provision. After the text of a brief opening speech by…

This paper defines issues concerned with the needs of children prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs, delineates solutions, and identifies obstacles and barriers. The primary issue is seen to be identifying those individuals and services likely to contact these infants and young children and to provide such individuals with appropriate training…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on grouping students and pacing instruction is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the full…

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…

The over-representation of minority group children, particularly Mexican Americans, in special education has been well documented. The use of standardized, norm-referenced, psychological assessment measures has created obstacles to the advancement of minority group individuals in American society. This is especially true since results from such…

This set of 24 bulletins provides parents with information on various topics related to child development, behavior and education. Topics discussed include: parents as role models; parental needs; parental expectations; talking with one's child; avoiding childhood labels; helping children learn to cope; setting limits; listening to children;…

Both teacher and student materials are included in this guide for a postsecondary course intended to provide training in the psychological aspects of confrontation, disturbance, or disorder. One of a number of military-developed curriculum packages selected for adaptation to vocational instruction and curriculum development in a civilian setting,…

Kindergarten and third-grade subjects (n=160) responded to videotape excerpts of children either with or without Down's Syndrome and with or without the label and description "mentally retarded." The subjects' affective evaluations, belief endorsements, and behavioral intentions were assessed, using the independent variables of grade, gender,…

Proposes a new conceptual framework, based on the fundamental values of personal appearance and individual autonomy, for assessing the "aesthetic" and "existential" anxiety aroused by persons with disabilities. Investigations using this perspective might contribute to determining the attitudinal foundations of the competing…