A review of alternative methodologies and a conceptual framework for the study of reliability of criterion-referenced tests are presented. The possibility of aptitude-x-assessment interactions is considered and implications are discussed. (Author)

The process of psychiatric diagnosis has recently undergone major revision with the appearance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III (DSM III). The article examines the new system of multiaxial diagnoses in relation to existing special education categories. (Author)

The article delineates the training and competencies individuals should possess if they have primary responsibility for classification and placement decisions for the learning disabled. (Author)

The study compared 50 school-identified learning disabled (LD) children with a group of 49 low achieving students (nonLD) not identified as LD. Analysis indicated considerable similarities between the groups; an average of 96 percent of the scores were within a common range, and the performances of LD and low achieving children on many subtests…

Hair trace mineral concentrations were compared to a group of 40 retarded children with a nonretarded control group of 27. The retarded group had significantly raised hair lead concentrations. There were also differences in the mean levels of six nutrient minerals. (Author)

Three group-oriented contingency systems (interdependent, dependent, and independent) were compared to evaluate each system's effectiveness in controlling the disruptive behavior of a self-contained classroom of 12 educable mentally retarded elementary-aged children. Interdependent and dependent group contingency systems were more effective than…

An epilepsy training program for school personnel is proposed as necessary for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of children with epilepsy. (Author)

The article reviews research on training mentally retarded adults in the following community survival skills: travel training, money management, meal preparation, clothing and personal care, telephone skill, housekeeping, self-medication, leisure skills, social skills, and conversation. Results are said to indicate the value of behavioral…

The state of the art in physical fitness training for mentally retarded (MR) persons is analyzed. Research topics covered included fitness level of MR persons, relationships of fitness to other variables, strategies for improving fitness, evaluation techniques and curriculum programs, skill sequences, fitness training preference evaluation,…

A linguistic functions approach, which refers to the general social uses of language, is advocated as the most appropriate method of language instruction for mentally retarded children. Principles are detailed for sequencing linguistic functions for instruction through stages of expression of desires, reference and person concepts, inquiry skills,…

All preschool children (N=180) of the same age group in a small town were tested six months before kindergarten entry with the Holbrook Screening Battery which correctly identified 92 percent of Ss scoring as both good and poor readers four years later on the Stanford Achievement Test. (Author/CL)

Ninety-eight primary students viewed videotapes of pairs of children (Down's syndrome/orthopedically handicapped, orthopedically handicapped/nonhandicapped, nonhandicapped/Down's syndrome) needing help to complete a puzzle. Ss were asked which child they would help and why. Overall, the orthopedically handicapped children were chosen first more…

Group instruction increased knowledge of legal rights and services, ensured use of the Child Check Diary, and temporarily changed attitudes of parents of handicapped children in three rural towns. Mass media had no effect on either parent knowledge and attitudes or use of the diary. (Author/CL)

Four areas of ethical concern are voiced in the training of parents of handicapped children: (1) selection of program goals, (2) problems involved with both positive reinforcement and punishment, (3) conflicts between experimentation and therapeutic intervention, and (4) level of parent training. Consideration of ethical issues at each step of…

The applicability of changing criterion design, a type of single case experimental procedure, to special education is demonstrated by a case study of an 11-year-old learning disabled student whose mathematics progress gradually increased while teacher involvement and use of unnatural incentives remained constant or were faded. (CL)