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The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to placement in special education for males and females. The conceptual approach included individual, family, and school characteristics believed to influence educational performance and outcomes with emphasis was given to variables for with evidence of differential effects for males and females. Using the nationally representative, longitudinal NELS-88 data set, a logistic regression model examined the extent to which individual, family, and school characteristics were differentially associated (for male and female students) with identification for special education. The model identified a variety of characteristics associated with identification for special education, but only one individual characteristic, self-concept, for which the effect was different for male and female students. Recommendations for secondary education and transition practices and research were offered related to self-concept with respect to differences across gender, racial/ethnic, and disability status. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)

This paper presents nationally representative information about the extent of disproportionate gender representation in special education for the disability conditions of learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance. Recommendations are made for research to elucidate the basis for differences, improved data collection and reporting by gender, and changes in practice. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

A study involving 4,141 schools investigated gender and race/ethnicity disproportionality among students identified as having learning disabilities. There was a clear association between ethnicity and gender and the odds of being identified as a student with learning disabilities. School sociodemographic factors also associated with the proportion of students identified. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study of 4,151 school districts found a clear association among ethnicity, gender, and mental retardation. Sociodemographic variables were also strongly associated with the proportion of students identified. A logistical regression model that included sociodemographic predictors was significantly better than models with gender and race alone. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study of 270 children (ages 1-22) with emotional or behavior problems found symptoms, functioning, and risk were significantly related to child strengths, and children in home-like settings were found to possess significantly higher levels of strengths than children in non-homelike settings. Child strengths were significantly associated with child placement. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Surveyed new dental faculty about what factors influenced them to choose academic careers. Found that factors related to teaching and scholarship were the most important influences, while concerns about income and indebtedness were the most important negative considerations. Other positive factors included mentors and role models, long-term aspirations, and research. (EV)

Investigates the relationship between sexual abuse and perimenstrual symptoms in female patients (N=68) from an outpatient adolescent health service. Twenty-two participants reported a history of forced sexual experience. No significant differences were found in retrospective or prospective reports of perimenstrual sympstoms. Girls with a history of abuse had significantly more premenstrual symptoms and more menstrual physical complaints. (Author/MKA)

A study of 4,455 school districts found African-American students were about 2.4 times more likely to be identified as mildly mentally retarded and about 1.5 times more likely to be identified as seriously emotionally disturbed than their non-African-American peers. Economic and demographic variables were significant predictors of disproportionate representation. (Author/CR)

The Family Empowerment Scale was completed by 161 families of children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) or SED along with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated that membership in a parent support group was a strong predictor of family empowerment, particularly of the systems advocacy and knowledge dimensions of empowerment. (Author/CR)

A study was conducted to compare resuscitation outcomes before and after an urban emergency medical services (EMS) system switched from manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to load-distributing band (LDB) CPR. It was found that compared with resuscitation using manual CPR, a resuscitation strategy using LDB-CPR on EMS ambulances leads to improved survival to hospital discharge in adults with out-of-hospital nontraumatic cardiac arrest.

Pregnant women are treated for a primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with intravenous CMV hyperimmune globulin. The method of treatment is found to be safe and it may be successful in treating and preventing congenital CMV infection in pregnant women.

This study investigated the optimal time for measuring stress and immune function in 20 healthcare professionals (19 women and 1 man) following interaction with a therapy dog. A nonclinical sample of healthcare professionals was assigned to 20 min. of quiet rest, and 5 and 20 min. with a therapy dog. Serum cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were collected at baseline, 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. postcondition. Salivary cortisol, salivary IgA, and blood for lympbocytes were collected at baseline, 30, 45, and 60 min. postcondition. Analysis indicated significant reductions in serum and salivary cortisol. The optimal time for measuring serum or salivary cortisol following interaction with a therapy dog was 45 min., with changes in salivary cortisol reflecting serum cortisol changes. Findings also suggest stress reduction in healthcare professionals may occur after as little as 5 min. of interaction with a therapy dog and warrants further investigation.