The so-called group II introns perform some neat tricks. They are primarily found within genes and are transcribed into precursor RNA when the host gene is activated. That’s when the fun starts. First, a portion of the intron RNA binds a ribosome and dictates production of an ‘‘intron-encoded protein,’’ or IEP. Next the IEP binds to the intron RNA, coaxing it to fold up into a catalytically act...

D uring the 2009–2010 academic year I did something unusual for a university mathematician on sabbatical: I taught high school mathematics in a large urban school district. This might not be so strange except that my school does not have a teacher preparation program and only graduates a few students per year who intend to be teachers. Why did I do this? I, like many of you, am deeply concerned...

As the parent of a child qualified for special education services under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), I have often felt a lingering sense of apprehension when encountering some of the school personnel. At the same time I align myself with educational professionals because I, too, have worked in schools as both a general and special educator. Perplexed by this apparent ...

S tudents with chronic illness, such as sickle cell disease (SCD), diabetes mellitus, cancer, or asthma are at risk for poor academic attainment. Students aged 5 through 19 years with SCD have an additional burden, as this disease is associated with multiple painful episodes resulting in hospitalizations and strokes. In 1997, we reviewed the status of 17-, 18-, and 19year-olds with SCD followed...

The development of self-determination skills in students with disabilitics is a priority in special education. Its importance is particularly significant for students who are attcnding schools in rural areas. Instruction in self -determination also raises important ethical questions. Using a model developed by Bredberg and Davidson (1999), four foundational elements in ethics are explored with ...

Longwall coal mine operators in the U.S. are required to ventilate multipanel longwall districts, but may have little or no knowledge about what happens to the ventilation air between the inlet evaluation points (IEPs), bleeder evaluation points (BEPs) and bleeder fans. The effectiveness of bleeder performance can directly influence the ability of a ventilation system to remove and dilute coal ...

A structured intervention package including direct, scaffolded, instructional lessons was implemented using an error correction learning system and a picture book-based phonological and phonemic awareness activity for four participants with complex communication needs, ranging from 12 to 15 years, in a junior high school setting. Although variability in participant results was noted, a function...

Automaticity in math facts has been of considerable interest to special educators for decades. A review of the intervention literature suggests at least two common approaches to developing automaticity in facts. One is grounded in the use of strategies for teaching facts, the other emphasizes the use of timed practice drills. Recent research indicates that students might benefit from an integra...

This article presents a model demonstration project that was designed to promote disability awareness, understanding, and responsiveness among University faculty and staff at a large private University. One of the unique features of the Productive Learning u Strategies (PLuS) project is that the effort targeted all faculty and staff through a cascade training model approach. This approach was d...

Since passage of Public Law 94-142 in 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, much debate has occurred regarding how to address curriculum in terms of meeting needs of students within various special education categories. Recently, more discussion has emerged regarding transition and curriculum geared towards assisting with this process, particularly as researchers discover dismal...