As the demographics across the United States continues to change, specifically with increases in school age English Learners who speak a home language other than English, it is imperative that schools meet the diverse needs of these children. This article summarizes studies about English Learners with learning disabilities. It reports on the…

The article encourages using alternative instructional strategies with minority students prior to special education referral, and describes five direct instruction practices including the DISTAR model, the model developed by the Exemplary Center for Reading Instruction, precision teaching, class-wide peer tutoring, and the Adaptive Learning…

The issue of identifying reading difficulties and disabilities in English language learners (ELLs) is a complex one. It is an area that draws on the diverse disciplines of first- and second-language acquisition, literacy, English language learning, and reading, including differences and disabilities research. This literature review aims to…

The major hypothesis of the paper is that as mainstream education broadens its tolerance for individual differences and as mainstream educators gain in the skill and knowledge to individualize instruction, few if any students need to be referred for services delivered outside the general education system. The paper organizes reports from "state of…

The research review of practices for limiting or avoiding referrals of students for special education services identified promising practices, including curricular and ecological adaptations that strengthen the mainstream, teacher development and administrative strategies, and early intervention strategies. Research, training, and policy…

Provides basic information about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) related to diagnosis and classroom practice. Promising strategies that have helped students with ADHD achieve positive academic results are also presented. A brief overview of the role of professional collaboration is included. (CR)

This article discusses instructional strategies likely to be effective with culturally and linguistically diverse students regardless of placement. It addresses assessment and misclassification; overreferral or underreferral; differing approaches to second language instruction; and the importance of transfer between languages, opportunities for…

Rural teachers are confronted with the task of providing appropriate education to exceptional students, as well as addressing the added elements of language and culture issues as these pertain to handicapping conditions. Key points in the identification and instruction of these students are initial referral, early intervention, and appropriate…

Reviews several studies of prereferral intervention models and their effects on such variables as referral rates, student achievement and behavior, and student and parent satisfaction. Some models involved collaboration among teachers, and others involved formal consultation between teachers and specialists. Research to date has been more…

Intended for use in preservice or inservice training of regular secondary educators, the module examines principles of communication, assessment, teaching methods, and classroom management through text, an annotated bibliography, and overhead masters. The first section covers communicating with handicapped students, their parents, and other…

Through a literature review and classroom observations, several variables affecting the quality of education were studied, focusing on processes related to student placement in special education and to instruction after placement. The study found that: (1) A dynamic interaction is needed among the referral, assessment, placement, and instruction…

A study examined the career education opportunities available to mentally handicapped adults in British Columbia. The primary objectives of the study were to assess the effectiveness of various methods and models in meeting the needs of mentally handicapped adults, to explore the policy implications of the program strengths and weaknesses, to…