Analysis of saccadic eye movements in 10 normal and 10 mentally retarded children (ages 13-15) suggested that retarded children may have difficulty in visual orientation. They followed a visual target on fewer than 50 percent of the trials, displaying frequent undershoot patterns and an average rising latency that was much longer than that of…

Factors identified during an earlier study were used to ascertain features of the stress experienced by mothers of school-aged children with Down's syndrome, other mental retardation, autism, or double (mental and physical) handicaps. The utility of these stress patterns, efficacy of other factors not used, and interview methods are discussed.…

A survey of 203 Japanese schools confirmed the existence of 60 cases of nine different special education programs that had operated during the Taisho Era (1912-1926). Children enrolled were mostly underachievers; few were diagnosed as mentally retarded. A side product of this study was the discovery that many schools are preserving significant…

Work with a mute, autistic, severely handicapped girl over five years (ages 7-11) is analyzed using developmental pragmatics. While she often used interactive acts leading to environmental consequences, she was almost never observed using any that led to a social consequence. She learned to point and gesture but not voluntarily. (Author/VW)

New curriculum initiatives in Great Britain are reviewed for their effect on special needs students from 14 to 19 years old. Changes include restructuring the secondary curriculum, new examinations, and organizational changes. Also noted is greater centralization of educational policy. (DB)

An initiative by the Department of Education and Science in Wales encourages schools to create a record of each student's progress, activities, and experiences beyond the school. The records are intended to encourage pupil motivation, enable students to develop practical and social skills, and provide a document which school leavers can present to…

The article describes the new British system, GCSE (General Certification of Secondary Education), which establishes national criteria with centrally determined syllabuses and a single examination for all students at the 16 plus level. Effects of the new system on special needs students and teachers are noted. (DB)

The article describes effects on handicapped students of Great Britain's "Technical and Vocational Education Initiative." The initiative provides vocational and general education programs (often modular) which frequently include structured work experiences and is designed to bridge the gap between school and work for 14- to 18-year-old students…

The "Lower Attaining Pupils Programme" uses modular/integrated approaches to improve educational attainments and self esteem for students with mild to moderate learning difficulties aged 14-16 in Great Britain. Among suggested changes are more integrated days/courses for special and ordinary school pupils. (DB)

The article describes the "Certificate of Prevocational Education" (CPVE), designed to provide British students (including special needs students) over age 16 with a one-year modular, full time framework of core and vocational studies to aid transition from school to work. Curriculum areas include personal and career development, social skills,…

The article describes the "Youth Training Scheme'" designed to provide British students over age 16 with a two-year vocational training program to develop job competence or a range of occupational skills. Special provisions for special needs students include improving program accessibility and extending the age of entry. (DB)

Scotland's "Action Plan" for students aged 16-18 provides modular study programs (usually 40 hours long) featuring continuous assessment, and recognition on the National Certificate. The program's flexibility, potential for individualization, and internal assessment make it especially suitable for special needs students. (DB)

The article describes the decision making process of one British special secondary school serving students with moderate learning difficulties when choosing among the various government sponsored educational initiatives. The modular approach offered by the Technical and Vocational Educational Initiative as well as development of student Records of…

The article looks at issues in the application of recent curriculum and training initiatives to disabled young people in Great Britain including: definitions of special educational needs, the definition of handicap, integration, transition to adult life, the need for an individual transition plan, and the influene of new education policies.…

A generic product evaluation system was developed and validated when 13 qualified regular and special educators were trained to estimate the developmental appropriateness of 239 instructional materials. The teams provided feedback for product revision and supplementary use. The data had implications for long term planning, marketing techniques,…