To produce a greater degree of consistency and reliability in diagnosis of handicapped children, a system called multidimensional actuarial classification is presented for differential diagnosis of mental retardation, inadequate adaptive behavior, social maladjustment, academic under and overachievement, and learning disabilities. (Author/CL)

The author discusses the regression discrepancy method for identifying learning disabled (LD) children and compares it with other identification techniques, pointing out its advantages but indicating that it is still inadequate as a sole criterion for LD identification. (Author)

A conceptual perspective and set of principles are offered for the evaluation of special service programs in public school settings. Special service program evaluation is seen as a process of obtaining and reporting information on a program's adequacy, process, efficiency, and impact. (Author)

The article examines the relationship between biological defects and educational aptitude and achievement. (Author/PHR)

Drawing on H.R. Davis' A VICTORY model of factors associated with organizational change, the article argues that accepted models of educational evaluation will be most useful with programs for mainstreaming handicapped children when they are expanded to include critical factors associated with organizational acceptance and successful…

Using the empirically based evidence that has resulted from the previous five Talent Searches of the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, the article develops the rationale and success behind the talent-search concept as a useful strategy for identifying the intellectually gifted. (Author)

A study involving 593 students (ages 15-29) with deafness investigated the validity of a shortened version of the Transition Competence Battery for Deaf Adolescents and Young Adults (TCB). Overall results suggest that the "Mini" TCB is a viable assessment tool that can be used in transition assessment. (Author/CR)

This study examined effects on 62 elementary students with learning disabilities undergoing triennial reevaluation of the change from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Third Edition. Results indicate changes in the correlation with Woodcock-Johnson--Revised Tests of Achievement…

Reviews alternative ways to establish goals for early intervention for children with disabilities, based on ecological theory. The ecological foundations of early intervention are discussed and an overview of sampling tactics and dimensions is presented. Recommendations are made for using planned activities for intervention design. (CR)

A study investigated whether changing the letter composition of the Denckla and Rudel rapid automatized naming (RAN) task influenced task performance and the RAN word identification skill relationships in 383 first graders. Substituting a letter that was visually similar to other letters had the greatest influence on RAN speed and accuracy…

Two major advances in the provision of behavioral support to students with severe disabilities include: (1) procedures for conducting functional assessment, and (2) design of comprehensive interventions. The research foundation for these advances, implications for clinicians, and future research directions are presented. (Author/DB)

Five special educators (Durand, Bambara, Dunlap, Kennedy, and Wacker) respond to an article in the same issue by Horner and Carr entitled "Behavioral Support for Students with Severe Disabilities: Functional Assessment and Comprehensive Intervention." Respondents raise concerns regarding the range of intervention options, the behavioral…

Recommendations are made for research on families of children with disabilities, including: emphasize experimental trials and multifaceted evaluations, respect family members' forms of knowledge, investigate positive adaptation, investigate effectiveness of support groups, evaluate public policies supporting families, study effective information…

This article critically analyzes research investigating the use of antecedent events in the functional assessment process, with an emphasis on interventions conducted in natural settings. An analysis of 17 articles found that research on antecedent-based interventions lacks a consistent conceptual framework. Suggestions for future research are…

An 11-item math concept curriculum-based measure (CBM) was administered to 171 eighth grade students. Scores were correlated with scores from a computer adaptive test designed in conjunction with the state to approximate the official statewide mathematics achievement tests. Correlations for general education students and students with learning…