Social Perceptions of Students with Learning Disabilities Who Differ in Social Status

As a group, students with learning disabilities (LD) have social difficulties. One possible explanation for these difficulties is the unique way they process social information. Although students with LD may differ from their nondisabled peers in their social cognition, investigators have suggested the presence of subgroups within the population of students with LD who may differ in their social competence and, thereby, shed light on the source of the difficulties. The present exploratory study examined how two subgroups of students with LD in inclusive settings, students with high and low social status, perceive social situations. Using a sociometric technique, three students with LD receiving high social‐status ratings and three students with LD receiving low social‐status ratings were identified. A qualitative approach was used to gather and evaluate data from the participants and their teachers. Results suggested differences between the two subgroups in their (1) sensitivity to cues in the environment, (2) interpretation of social situations in relation to their own experiences, and (3) levels of self‐control. Implications of these findings for practice and future research are discussed.     

Adapting Adaptive Testing: Using the MicroCAT Testing System in a Local School District

What is the rationale for adapting an existing testing system instead of developing your own? What are the limitations of MicroCAT? What has to be modified in order to meet local needs and to realize the potential of adaptive testing in the context of an existing testing system?     

虎符小史

概说 虎符是中国古代重要的示信任证，为国家或地方官府颁授，是中央进行任用官司吏、征调军队和传达命令的重要信物。符主要有虎符和渔符两种。唐宋时尚见个别龟符、牛符、麟符等。符，《说文》所谓“分而相合”者也。完事的各个地方由两半组成，一半在中央，另一关在地方将领和官员处。进行欲发兵，乃遣进行之半符与将领之半符相合，将领方可按指令调动兵马。虎符创用于战国时期，魏国信陵君窃虎符救赵的故事妇孺皆知。     

Graduate Programs That Prepare Educational Measurement Specialists

What are typical requirements in graduate measurement programs? How d o programs in measurement and research methods differ?