This commentary summarizes emerging research into fractions instruction for students who are at risk for failure. Each of the three articles emphasizes a measure conception of fractions. Teaching fractions as measurement helps students learn the magnitude of rational numbers. However, measurement is only part of the way that students should…

Eight years ago, the editors of this special issue published another special issue focused on the topic of response to intervention (RtI; Vaughn & Fuchs, 2003). At that time, there was considerable interest in the application of an RtI model for providing services to children at risk for learning disabilities. The potential benefits have led to…

In the opening discussion of this special issue, I take stock of science and schooling for students with learning disabilities (LD) before probing four ideas to foster effective instruction in contemporary schools: (a) Turn to science as the best trick we know for solving educational problems; (b) specify clearly what we hope to achieve in our…

The author cites S. Sarason's book "Psychology Misdirected" and applies Sarason's views to the field of learning disabilities. A shift toward understanding individual behavior in terms of the larger society is suggested. (SB)

The author reviews issues in the search for a definition of learning disabilities, suggesting that the effort is within an unidimensional framework without recognition of the lack of unidimensional characteristics in children. (Author)

In response to Crockett's analysis of the relation of science and the instruction of students with learning disabilities, we discuss reasons why teaching in special education is infrequently affected by science and research, and we propose a model of naturalistic decision making and make recommendations for bridging the gap between research and…

School-level administrative support has been identified as an essential component of programs that promote research to practice. In this discussion, I address the critical role that school leaders play in supporting special educators and ensuring effective instruction for students with learning disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the need for…

The position paper of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities provides five criticisms of the definition of learning disabilities developed in 1967 by the National Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children and proposes an alternative definition. (DB)

A method for calculating "standardized" grade equivalents for learning disabled students is criticized because it recreates some problems of the original mental age concept and has little to offer teachers or diagnostic personnel. (Author/CL)

A case study can help to clarify for the student the puzzling contradictions and the range of irregularities that characterize the learning disabled child. Different frameworks for analyses can be generated from the case study. It offers an opportunity to use inductive reasoning in uniting theory and practice. (Author)

The author addresses the issue regarding the secession of the Division for Children with Learning Disabilities (DCLD) from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). (SBH)

The author discusses the implications of the attempted Division for Children with Learning Disabilities (DCLD) withdrawal from its parent organization, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Events of the 1979 business meeting in which secession of DCLD was discussed are reviewed, and the implications of secession for the members, the…

In the absence of a clear definition of learning disabilities, it has become an educational simile with children described as "like a learning disabled child." The learning disabled label has become reflective of a problem related more to social structure than to children. Greater attention should be given to individual needs and less emphasis…

This response focuses on the effects of the current construction of learning disabilities (LD) on families of children from devalued racial/ethnic groups. Agreeing with the arguments of Reid and Valle, we add that parents from such groups are further disenfranchised because they are not participants in the critical discourse surrounding LD and…

Responsiveness to intervention (RTI) is being proposed as an alternative model for making decisions about the presence or absence of specific learning disability. I argue that there are many questions about RTI that remain unanswered, and radical changes in proposed regulations are not warranted at this time. Many fundamental issues related to RTI…