EXAMINING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS’ PERSPECTIVES ABOUT SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Debate regarding the causes of specific learning disabilities (SLDs), precise definitions of SLDs, and the most effective identification methods has persisted for over 50 years. Two prominent schools of thought regarding SLDs exist: (1) biological perspectives and (2) environmental perspectives. Three identification methods are outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act of 2004 (IDEA, 2004) and align themselves to the different perspectives: (1) the IQ‐Achievement discrepancy method, (2) the response‐to‐intervention method, and (3) alternative research based procedures (e.g., evaluation of a student's pattern of strengths and weaknesses; PSW). This study used survey methodology (N = 471) and found that school psychologists’ perspectives about SLDs were significantly correlated with preferred identification methods. Preferred identification methods impacted practice even after controlling for individual‐ and school‐level variables. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

EVALUATING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM TRAINING INSTITUTE IN GERIATRICS: IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING TEAMWORK THEORY AND PRACTICE

Changes occurring in both health care and higher education systems in the U.S. suggest the need for the development of innovative model programs for interdisciplinary team training. This article reports on the development and evaluation of one such program: an interdisciplinary team training institute in geriatrics and primary care sponsored by the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center in 1999. Key principles underlying the design of program content are summarized. Evaluation data analyzed include information on attendees' backgrounds and teamwork experience, and an assessment of the most important and least important insights gained from participation. Specific ratings for each session include relevance and knowledge attainment. Major observations and recommendations include the combination of theory and practice, a focus on current and cutting edge issues, the importance of educational marketing research, and implications for program evaluation.     

SAT SCORES AND AMERICAN STATES: SEEKING FOR USEFUL MEANING

Despite difficulties, states frequently seek to compare their test performance with that of other states, or with the published national norms. All states have some students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) exams for college admissions, but because the numbers vary widely, when the state means are made public by the College Boards, there is debate about their interpretation. Here the 50 state SAT means are the criterion in a multivariate model, together with the state variables of percent taking the SATs (very influential), percent of minority in the state, average income, unemployment rate, and per pupil expenditure. Regression is analyzed (without expenditure) to examine the state residuals compared with the "expected" scores. And briefly noted is the difficulty of using alternative tests for such comparisons, as these are currently normed, selected, and used.     

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MAJOR RESEARCH PARADIGMS AND THEIR METHODOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS RESEARCH

Recently in special needs research qualitative methods have been advocated and utilised. Unfortunately, confusion exists concerning the methods of investigation and the researchers’ paradigmatic assumptions. We argue that it is the paradigmatic lens of the researcher which guide the whole research process rather than the methods employed. In this paper the three major paradigms currently operating in educational research will be described and the distinction between “method” and “paradigm” will be clarified. Although the issues raised here are applicable to all strands of educational research, the purpose of this paper is to guide special needs researchers in identifying their own assumptions and examining for themselves the implications of choices about research methodology based on those assumptions.     

FIVE PITFALLS ENCOUNTERED WHILE TRYING TO COMPARE STATES ON THEIR SAT SCORES

Recent research (Page & Feifs, 1985; Powell & Steelman, 1984; Steelman & Powell, 1985) attempts to draw inferences about the relative standing of the states on the basis of mean SAT scores. These papers point out that this cannot be done without statistically adjusting for various differences among the states. In this paper I identify five serious errors that, when made, call into question the validity of such inferences. In addition, I describe some plausible ways to avoid the errors.     

COGNITIVE STRUCTURES OF CREATIVITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

While creativity of the order which produces paradigm shifts in a knowledge domain is usually the result of the efforts of creative experts, any novel outcome of the work of a problem solver can be referred to as “creative”, be it process or product Any individual, regardless of level of expertise, is capable of creativity if he or she employs the entire cognitive system differentially and synergistically. Consequently, the aim of instruction aimed at enhancing creativity should be to provide opportunities for learners to use all three knowledge orders for creative problem solving. The paper provides various ways in which this may be done.     

GERONTOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG CLERGY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SEMINARY TRAINING

A survey of 289 pastors from, three major denominations found that clergy demonstrate a relatively high level of gerontological knowledge in comparison with other reference groups, but that their concepts of aging are affected by a number of consistent stereotypes and inaccuracies that may negatively influence their ministry among older adults. This study addresses the major stereotypes identified by the Facts on Aging Quiz, summarizes gerontological education needs described by the respondents, and draws implications for gerontological training as part of seminary education.     

THE RAVEN PROGRESSIVE MATRICES: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOSTERING ABILITIES

The RPM exhibit the same scale properties for children from a wide variety of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. At any point in time, the norms for many different cultures are similar. Yet the scores have increased dramatically over time – and in such a way as to demonstrate that the current differences between ethnic groups are alterable. The increase is probably due to improved nutrition, welfare, and hygiene. Conventional education has little effect on scores. Nevertheless, involvement in democratic childrearing practices and open education does increase scores. The RPM correlates only about .5 with verbal ability. Thus, even within the “cognitive” area, it is important to think about abilities rather than ability. This huge variance in children's scores, both within and between tests, poses serious problems for educators in general and for those who proffer traditional forms of gifted education in particular. It is necessary to change the educational process radically, so as to nurture the wide variety of talents that are present in every classroom.     

ATTITUDES TOWARD EDUCATIONAL MEDIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL GERONTOLOGY

This study was conducted to determine if there is or is not a difference in attitudes toward educational media between older adults and younger adults. Attitudinal information was gathered from the two groups utilizing an instrument entitled “Controversy in Academia” a 39‐item Likert‐type questionnaire. The questions from the instrument were divided into six groups, and six operational hypotheses were generated to effect testing. The results indicated that there were no basic differences between the attitudes toward educational media expressed by older adults and those expressed by younger adults.     

TEACHING FOR BELIEF: POWER AND PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICE

The politics of pedology when teaching for belief in culturally diverse settings inevitably draws attention to the power dynamics in the encounters of teachers and students. The quest for a pedagogy that is not oppressive or coercive provides the impetus to a liberative proposal for teaching practice.