This dissertation consists of three empirical studies that explore the educational experiences and trajectories of English learners (ELs) and students with disabilities. The first study uses longitudinal data from four large California school districts to examine the characteristics of long-term ELs (LTELs) and former ELs--those reclassified as…

Word problems require students to read a language-based problem, identify necessary information to answer a prompt, and perform calculation(s) to develop a problem solution. Solving word problems proves particularly challenging for students with mathematics difficulties because skill in reading, interpretation of language, and mathematics is…

English learners with learning disabilities (LD) have well-documented difficulties comprehending text. This study examined the effects of an intensive reading intervention (Reading Intervention for Adolescents [RIA]) on reading outcomes (word reading, vocabulary, and comprehension) for ninth-grade ELs with LD (n = 85). In the RIA, students…

Public schools provide services for students with disabilities. Inaccurate disability diagnosis may result in inferior educational services or long-lasting educational struggles. The purpose of this quantitative causal comparative study was to determine if a difference existed between the decisions made for specific learning disability eligibility…

This study examined the characteristics of 14 English Language Learners classified as having learning disabilities (LD) who were also identified as having speech and language impairments (SI) prior to, at, or after initial identification as LD. Data were collected under the auspices of a longitudinal study, Bilingual Exceptional Students:…

Don D. Hammill received all of his formal education in Texas schools, culminating in a doctorate in educational psychology-special education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1963. He had previously served as a teacher in the Corpus Christi (Texas) public schools and as a speech and language therapist in the Deer Park (Texas) public…

This study determined the effectiveness of Kindergarten Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (K-PALS) for English Learners (ELs). We compared 20 K-PALS ELs to 20 Control ELs and to 20 K-PALS non-ELs on early reading skill acquisition, using a pretest-posttest control group design with matched samples. We also compared proportions of ELs unresponsive…

This report is an evaluation of "Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies," an instructional program for use in elementary school classrooms to improve student proficiency in reading and math. It was developed for use with students with diverse academic needs, including English language learners. Although other programs emphasize peer-to-peer…

The Texas public school program for the minimally brain injured is outlined; guidelines are provided for screening, identifying, and evaluating the brain injured. The development of interpersonal relationships is described, with suggestions given for establishing behavioral controls and for conducting parent conferences and counseling; the…

A study has been examining current directions in state education agency efforts to reform the elementary school language arts curriculum in four large, geographically diverse states with different policy mechanisms--California, New York, Wisconsin, and Texas. To understand policy development and implementation and discern how advocates advance a…

The study was designed to identify (1) the academic and behavioral areas most often addressed in the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of limited English proficient (LEP) and English proficient (non-LEP) mildly handicapped Hispanic students; and (2) the priority rankings assigned by Admission, Review and Dismissal committees to each area.…

Presented are findings from a 1977 statewide assessment of the career education performance of 1078 handicapped secondary students on a 45-item screening device. Statistical data are presented for five handicapping conditions (visually handicapped, orthopedically handicapped, auditorially handicapped, educable mentally retarded and language…

This document is Part III of a research study examining special education service delivery for limited English proficient (LEP) Hispanic students who have been placed in programs for the learning-disabled, speech handicapped, and mentally retarded. The objectives of Part III of this study were: (1) identify the characteristics of Hispanic students…

Secure state correctional facilities currently house more than 1.8 million adults, and nearly 4.4 million adults fall under state-administered community corrections. A state's approach to corrections and the communication between the state correctional components can have a large impact on the state's correctional education program. Decentralized…