Front Matter -- Preface -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- Part I Setting the Stage -- 1 The Context of Special and Gifted Education -- 2 Representation of Minority Students in Special and Gifted Education -- Part II Pregnancy to Preschool: Early Influences on Cognition and Behavior -- 3 Influences on Cognitive and Behavioral Development -- 4 Early Intervention Programs -- Part III From General to Specialized Education: Why and How Students Are Placed -- 5 The General Education Context -- 6 The Legal Context and the Referral Process -- 7 Assessment Practices, Definitions, and Classification Criteria -- 8 Alternative Approaches to Assessment -- Part IV Improving Outcomes -- 9 Weighing the Benefits of Placement -- 10 Recommendations -- References -- Biographical Sketches -- Index.