Explores grade retention rates among children with undiagnosed learning disabilities (LD). Data collected on 344 students referred for special-education evaluation revealed that, of the 201 who possessed an LD, 71.6% had been retained at least once. Minority and urban LD students were more apt to be retained before being referred for evaluation.…

Examines perceptions of reform in the role and function of school psychologists. A national sample of 137 psychologists endorsed integrated features of traditional practice and reform on assessment activities and classification issues, but they more strongly favored reform positions on activities associated with consultation/intervention and…

Reviews the growing body of literature that addresses school psychologists' coping strategies and argues that creativity and "alonetime" represent potential resources to draw upon as school psychologists' roles change. Suggests that creativity and alonetime are untapped, inborn resources representing flexible and workable coping tools with…

Describes a graduated reentry behavioral intervention to treat a child with school refusal. Following a multimethod evaluation, an initial graduated exposure to school combined with positive reinforcement for staying in school was chosen. The mother's influence prompted a change to rapid exposure to school, which proved effective. (RJM)

Reviews research on the effectiveness of parental involvement in improving elementary school-aged children's reading skills. Studies show that parents can enhance their children's reading ability, but parents desire training in specific strategies. Two feasible programs are presented, although more research is needed on various home reading…

A review of the literature on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) children suggests that maladaptive classroom peer interactions for ADHD children may disadvantage their learning on collaborative tasks. Provides a definition of the disorder and discusses key aspects of ADHD and its effects on peer interactions. Makes suggestions for…

Reviews what is known about children's conceptions of death, how children grieve, and relevant research. Presents clinicians' guidelines on such issues as explaining death to children, attending funerals, and treating bereaved youths and their families. Outlines a death education program which incorporates developmental and theoretical principles…

Survey of full and intern members of 10 state school psychology associations indicate that a higher proportion of women are entering the field. Results indicate no gender differences in the number of days worked yearly, number of hours worked daily, number of yearly evaluations completed, or the number of assigned schools. (RJM)

Measured performance changes on the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement: Brief Form over a three-year retest interval. Learning-disabled students (n=52) were retested following 3 years of special education services. Results showed an average decrease of 3.33 points in Battery Composite, Math, Reading, and Spelling. Presents other results and…

Fifth graders were assigned to peer status groups after completing a peer nomination technique. The next school year, 45 of the subjects (now sixth graders) were interviewed to assess reactions to the sociometric procedures. Subjects liked participating, although they did not like the negative nomination technique. Comments were analyzed by peer…

Investigated performance of 166 special education students (6 to 16 years) who had taken the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and later the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III). Results indicated a significant, positive correlation among global scales (p<.001). Findings suggest WISC-R and WISC-III…

Examined the relationship between the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) IQs and the Kaufman Test of Education Achievement (K-TEA) standard scores, both commonly used in the identification of children for special educational services. Sample consisted of 72 emotionally handicapped children. Results revealed a…

Reviewed clinical records and test data for 103 children ages 4 to 5 years old who had been tested with the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition. Children were tested for multidisciplinary evaluation of developmental problems. Results suggest need for caution in using area score differences or subtest strengths or weaknesses to…

The benefits of pre-first programs and grade retentions are not consistently supported in the research literature. Study investigates the short- and long-term effects of pre-first programs on students' (n=66) academic achievement in reading and mathematics. No significant differences were found in six of the eight analyses conducted, indicating…

Investigated the effects of labeling bias on prognostic outlook for children as a function of diagnostic labels and professional group membership. Studied the reaction of professionals to the description of an elementary-school-age boy with behavior problems. Effect for diagnostic label on judgment of overall adjustment approached significance.…