Learning Language in Early Intervention Programs

Investigators of early language development have noted that teachers tend to select specific language objectives and teach them didactically, whereas parents are more likely to adopt open-ended objectives and teach them opportunistically. The authors have called the former approach directive, because of its reliance on teacher-controlled precision teaching, and the latter nondirective, because of its reliance on child-centered supportive techniques. This article explores the relative emphasis given these two approaches in early intervention by examining language objectives on Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) drawn from 20 programs in 10 states. It also analyzes the directive versus nondirective nature of language items on eight major developmental inventories that are used both to assess children's language and as the source of language objectives. The primary finding—a preponderant directive orientation on both IEPs and inventories—is discussed in terms of the literature on language development in normal and handicapped preschoolers.     

Repetition in Early Intervention Programs

This article is directed to two issues: the extent to which children in early intervention programs are experiencing repetition in their curriculum from one year to the next (as manifested by reiteration of Individual Educational Program [IEP] objectives), and whether repetition results, at least in part, from establishing initial objectives that are too difficult for the children. The authors reviewed objectives from two sequential IEPs on 36 children from 15 programs in 10 states across the country, Although the data were too "messy" for a complete classification of objectives, careful inspection revealed a great deal of repetition and near-repetition in consecutive IEPs that were separated, on the average, by approximately one year. By matching objectives, where possible, to the expected age of mastery as indicated on a standardized instrument, and to the child's functional age, the authors found a clear tendency for children's objectives to be beyond their developmental level. It is concluded that although slow children will of course learn slowly, the data of this study, confirmed by research in child development, suggest that some of the reiteration in early intervention may be the result of excessive demands rather than the "need for repetition" intrinsic to those with mental retardation.     

Repetition in Early Intervention Programs

This article is directed to two issues: the extent to which children in early intervention programs are experiencing repetition in their curriculum from one year to the next (as manifested by reiteration of Individual Educational Program [IEP] objectives), and whether repetition results, at least in part, from establishing initial objectives that are too difficult for the children. The authors reviewed objectives from two sequential IEPs on 36 children from 15 programs in 10 states across the country, Although the data were too "messy" for a complete classification of objectives, careful inspection revealed a great deal of repetition and near-repetition in consecutive IEPs that were separated, on the average, by approximately one year. By matching objectives, where possible, to the expected age of mastery as indicated on a standardized instrument, and to the child's functional age, the authors found a clear tendency for children's objectives to be beyond their developmental level. It is concluded that although slow children will of course learn slowly, the data of this study, confirmed by research in child development, suggest that some of the reiteration in early intervention may be the result of excessive demands rather than the "need for repetition" intrinsic to those with mental retardation.     

Writing Instruction for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: Programs of Intervention Research

Writing performance for a large number of adolescents, with and without learning disabilities (LD), in the United States is below the level required for success in college and in the world of work. Despite the importance of writing and students' with LD documented difficulties in this academic domain, writing intervention research for adolescents with LD is not as well established as research in other domains, such as reading. Programs of research in writing interventions for adolescents with LD, nevertheless, have provided frameworks for effective instruction for these students. Adapting criteria from Graham and Perin's (2007c) Writing Next report, 40 studies across six programs of research were located for our literature review in writing instruction for adolescents with LD. Based on the findings of these studies, instruction within two levels of support for adolescents with LD are recommended.     

Establishing the Integrity of the Independent Variable in Early Intervention Programs

With the implementation of P.L. 99-457, early intervention programs are becoming more widespread; they are also being pressed to become more accountable. Persons evaluating early intervention programs have typically adopted outcome-oriented approaches focusing exclusively on measuring the dependent program variable (i.e., changes in student measures). This article highlights some of the problems inherent in these traditional approaches to program evaluation. A number of recommendations are offered for assessing the independent variable with the same methodological rigor that is typically reserved for measuring student outcomes in program evaluation studies. The implications of this shift in methodological approach are discussed in terms of improving the ability to replicate successful programs, design new ones with increased efficiency, and provide long-lasting support for early intervention.     

Establishing the Integrity of the Independent Variable in Early Intervention Programs

With the implementation of P.L. 99–457, early intervention programs are becoming more widespread; they are also being pressed to become more accountable. Persons evaluating early intervention programs have typically adopted outcome-oriented approaches focusing exclusively on measuring the dependent program variable (i.e., changes in student measures). This article highlights some of the problems inherent in these traditional approaches to program evaluation. A number of recommendations are offered for assessing the independent variable with the same methodological rigor that is typically reserved for measuring student outcomes in program evaluation studies. The implications of this shift in methodological approach are discussed in terms of improving the ability to replicate successful programs, design new ones with increased efficiency, and provide long-lasting support for early intervention.     

An Analysis of the Core Cognitive Curriculum in Early Intervention Programs

This study investigates the existence of an identifiable core cognitive curriculum operative in early intervention programs—its substance and its suitability for preschoolers with developmental disabilities. As an initial approach, the authors present preliminary data on three specific questions: Have early intervention programs adopted a common set of developmental inventories for assessing children? Do the frequently used inventories share a common set of items? Are the common items adopted as Individual Educational Program (IEP) objectives? By polling members of the Division of Early Childhood (DEC), Council for Exceptional Children for their preferred assessment instruments, then listing the common items from their top choices, and, finally, comparing the listed items with written IEP objectives, the authors identified elements of a core curriculum in current use by many early intervention programs. Within the cognitive domain, it was found that at least one out of five items common to the developmental inventories—shapes, colors, quantities, sizes, and puzzles (includes formboards)—were listed as objectives on 75% of the IEPs collected from programs located in the same states as DEC respondents. The appropriateness of these "preacademic" instructional targets in the context of developmental "readiness" is questioned.     

终身教育与终身学习的教育目的探析

终身教育与终身学习的教育目的是一致的，它们都是为了追求人性的完美与人生真正价值的实现，也只有在此目的基础上，学习社会的创建才具有可能性。     

Using Research to Improve the Cost Effectiveness of Early Intervention Programs

Since the implementation of Public Law 99457, the number of children served by early intervention programs has increased substantially. This article describes the d e s of advocacy and science in contributing to that expansion. A biosocial systems model of early development is used to explain how comparative experimental research can help to improve the cost effectiveness of early intervention programs. Examples of the benefits of such research are taken from the other articles reported in this issue of Early Education and Development.     

Using Research to Improve the Cost Effectiveness of Early Intervention Programs

Since the implementation of Public Law 99457, the number of children served by early intervention programs has increased substantially. This article describes the d e s of advocacy and science in contributing to that expansion. A biosocial systems model of early development is used to explain how comparative experimental research can help to improve the cost effectiveness of early intervention programs. Examples of the benefits of such research are taken from the other articles reported in this issue of Early Education and Development.     

数学学习中的概括

概括是指在数学学习过程中把具有共同特征的事物联系起来进行考察,抽象出数学对象的本质属性,将其推广为包含这一对象的更大范围的同类数学对象的本质属性;或是把具有共同特征的数学对象结合起来进行考察,寻找和抽取其中内在关系和规律的不断发展的思维活动方式或思维动作.概括具有3个基本特征:二元性、过程性和层次性.对数学对象的概括,一般经过5个阶段:观察阶段、抽取阶段、筛选阶段、推广阶段、确认阶段.按照概括过程中所表现出来的主要特征,可以把数学学习中概括的方式分为6种类型:类比式概括、归纳式概括、演绎式概括、经验式概括、理论式概括和简约式概括.     

国外远程教育专业人才培养层次与培养目标的初步比较研究

我国远程教育机构众多,从业人员数量庞大,而目前远程教育专业人才培养机构相对较少,高素质远程教育专业人员的数量难以满足当前乃至未来远程教育事业、产业发展的实际需求.本文选取了国外在远程教育学科专业建设、专业人才培养、课程体系结构等方面比较完善的5所学校,以其远程教育专业的培养方案为研究样本.对其学科专业层次与结构、专业人才培养目标、课程体系建设等内容进行比较研究.在此基础上,就我国远程教育专业人才培养工作提出三点建议:职前教育与职后教育并重,目前更应该注重职后教育;在本科生与研究生层次的比例上,应侧重研究生层次;在学术学位和专业学位上,建议加大专业学位的人才培养力度.     

The Transformation of Learning Ideology in the New Curricular Objectives

The establishment of the ＂three-dimension-in-one＂ objectives in the new curriculums has changed the ＂knowledge-centered＂ objective model in the traditional teaching syllabuses. This change will cause the transformation of knowledge learning ideology, i.e. from stressing the explicit knowledge acquisition to concerning the value of tacit knowledge. In return, the transformation of knowledge learning ideology will shed great influence on teaching processes, learning styles and assessing standards.     

Promoting Community in Early Childhood Programs: A Comparison of Two Programs

Every interaction within an early childhood program either promotes community or disrupts it. Therefore, excellent early childhood programs have in place a process that pulls the energies and abilities of all the members of the school community together so that everyone—children, educators, parents, and community members—develop well. In particular, healthy interactions between educators and families create the necessary conditions for the early childhood programs: (1) to impact the lifepaths of the families; and, in turn, (2) to engage the families in the work of improving the early childhood programs. In this article, research on the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI) is presented. JECEI was selected for study because JECEI early childhood programs are characterized by healthy relationships, the capacity to successfully promote children’s learning and development, and the engagement of families in the work of school improvement.     

论挑战性学习目标及其制定策略

挑战性学习目标是,每个学生的学习目标都在自己的"最近发展区"内,都是对自己已有水平的挑战与跨越。有效教学与优质教学要求教师在课堂教学中制定出对每个学生都具有挑战性的学习目标。挑战性学习目标的基本制定策略是:在了解学生认知准备水平与学习兴趣的基础上,先多后少,从粗到细,预设、调整与动态生成相结合。     

The Politics and Chemistry of Early Intervention

In this paper, questions are raised about the philosophy of early intervention. Empiricist-oriented diagnostic approaches to problem-solving and the viability of short sharp well-timed injections are challenged. It is argued that these approaches may be informed more by political interests geared to preserve status quo than by a genuine interest in the problems of those targeted for intervention. The need for alternative approaches is suggested and some promising strategies are discussed.     

美国中学后教育的早期干预项目研究

美国社会各界深信教育在消除贫穷和不平等中的基础作用,美国采取积极的教育干预态度、对策和行动,相继出台并实施了一系列旨在帮助社会代表名额不足群体学生准备并升入大学的中学后教育早期干预项目.目前全国此类项目已达数千个之多,在制约社会-教育利益和财富分取资格、机会和结果不平等的状况方面,取得了积极的效果,充分显示了美国全社会关注和力争社会不利群体的教育权利与公平的社会责任意识、公益精神和参与行动.