Cathy L. Crossland

Application of Microcomputer Technology to Spelling Assessment of Learning Disabled Students.

Low-cost microcomputers are rapidly becoming accessible to most everyone. Education, like science and business, is beginning to take advantage of the completeness of microcomputer systems. Although it is difficult to predict the final effect of microcomputers on education, it is evident that they will be performing a variety of functions in the very near future (Muiznieks & Dennis, 1979). Thtis, computers are increasingly being used in testing where they can rapidly perform the clerical tasks associated with the testing process. Computers provide fast, reliable, and accurate service along with an extensive record-keeping capability and considerable analytic power. Due to their time effectiveness, computers enable teachers to spend more time as managers of the learning process and less as clerks (Ansfield, 1973). The purpose of this research was to develop and field test a microcomputer version of the Test of Written Spelling (Larsen & Hammill, 1976) to determine if examiner time and scoring errors could be reduced. The Test of Written Spelling (TWS) is a norm-referenced instrument designed to assess a students spelling ability.

Child health care and “the new morbidity”: Toward a model for the linkage of private medical practice and the public schools

A renewed, and somewhat overdue, emphasis on programs for children has become a widespread concern of the health and human services fields. This paper addresses the problems and potentials of achieving a greater degree of coordination of the child-oriented human services through an examination of the response and the interaction of the (largely private) medical care and the (largely public) educational systems with respect to the special situation of children with learning-related handicapping conditions. The perspectives and particular interests of each of these complex systems are described along with their special role in the detection, assessment, and intervention with regard to children with learning-related problems. A description is provided of the process through which children are placed in educational programs that give special recognition to their learning difficulties. Particular note is taken of those places where medical care providers can have an effective influence on the educational placement of the child. The paper concludes with four recommendations that should help to insure the interaction of child health and educational services for children with learning-related handicapping conditions.

Project Impact: Inservice Plan Assisting Classroom Teachers

This project is supported by Grant ~~~~. ~~~~~ ~~~~~~ from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education. During the past several years, the field of special education has been significantly affected by a number of events, including the enactment of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. By admitting into the public school sector those children who