Interviews with teachers, mothers, and fathers of 32 children in early childhood special education revealed high correlations for multiple data sources. Mothers tended to provide the highest ratings for the children, closely followed by fathers. Diagnosticians provided the lowest ratings, with teacher ratings falling between parents and the…

The author enumerates methodological errors of studies on aptitude-treatment-interaction (ATI) matching students' learning styles with environmental influences, and recommends ways for teaching poor readers through their learning style preferences and strengths. Suggestions include designing reading environments to accommodate identified learning…

Learning style is defined, its environmental, emotional, sociological, physical, and psychological elements described, and research on its classroom implications for handicapped and gifted children reviewed. Studies are explained to have revealed statistically significant increased academic achievement when individual traits have been matched with…

Left/right brain research and its implications for teachers of handicapped and nonhandicapped students are highlighted. Medical and psychological research in asymmetry and the related attitudinal changes toward brain functioning are reviewed. Respect for the functioning of each hemisphere and the need for the "teaming" of both are emphasized.…

Two recent Supreme Court cases, Pennhurst v. Halderman and Board of Education v. Rowley, are analyzed for their implications regarding handicapped persons. Both decisions suggest a reduced federal role in determining what constitutes appropriate programs and services for the handicapped. (Author/CL)

A review of the legal background of suspension and expulsion as they pertain to handicapped individuals and guidelines outlined by the landmark cases, S-1 v. Turlington and Kaelin v. Grubbs are cited. A discussion of critical issues still not addressed by statute, regulation, or litigation is also reviewed. (Author/CL)

Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is a useful approach for evaluating special education services at the local education agency (LEA) level because it allows for individualization of program goals for a range of special education service programs.

A survey of the directors of teacher certification in the 50 states and the District of Columbia revealed that few states require services for all handicapped children from birth to age five, and 18 states have established standards for certifying teachers of preschool handicapped children.

Analysis of scores of 365 special education teachers on the Teacher Stress Inventory Survey revealed that many exhibited frequent and strong indications of job related stress. Emotional as well as behavioral and physiological manifestations were ranked. Stress came from any sources and affected teachers to varying degrees. (CL)

Behaviors of 16 teachers who had a day to day contact with 23 physically handicapped, mainstreamed high schoolers were observed and categorized. Data revealed that teachers spent significantly more time, on average, assisting the handicapped students. (CL)

A study on the placement of handicapped children in New York City produced six conclusions, including that the city's Committee on the Handicapped scored well overall on a knowledge scale, but subgroups (except psychologists) indicated significantly lower knowledge of educational programing for handicapped children than a group of special…

Analysis of minimum competency testing administered in 1973 to handicapped students in North Carolina demonstrated the need to devise an acceptable alternative for students with little chance of success. The unknown effects of test modifications for different handicaps was found to be another problem. (CL)

Forty-two teacher consultants in Michigan completed a survey revealing role confusion and variability in provision of direct and indirect serivces. Consulting was not the primary duty reported by most of the teacher consultants. (CL)

In a discussion of youthful suicide, the physical and emotional changes experienced by adolescents are evidenced as among the causes producing pain which may lead to suicide in some cases. Societal factors which may contribute to adolescent suicide are described. Suggestions for prevention are put forward. (Author/CL)

The article discusses the complex set of factors involved in the phenomena associated with adolescent pregnancy and child bearing, particularly the young adolescent's risk in bearing and/or rearing a handicapped child. Programs to reduce adolescent pregnancies, teach about child development, and child care procedures are described. (Author/CL)