When education works, it creates productive, innovative citizens eager to contribute to a well-functioning democracy. In contrast, educational failure has lifelong consequences, with some individuals experiencing decades of preventable hardship. Dawn Flanagan and Joel Schneider write in this response that, like Kranzler, Floyd, Benson, Zabowski,…

In this rejoinder, the authors describe the aim of the original study as an effort to conduct a critical test of an important postulate underlying the Cross-Battery Assessment PSW approach (XBA PSW; Kranzler, Floyd, Benson, Zaboski, & Thibodaux, this issue). The authors used classification agreement analysis to examine the concordance between…

Despite the lack of empirical evidence, the term "foreign language learning disability" (FLLD) has become popular in the learning disabilities (LD) and foreign language literature. I contend that there is not a unique "disability" for foreign language learning and suggest instead that foreign language skills run along a continuum of very strong to…

A review and analysis of current research on subtypes of learning-disabled children argues against a "single syndrome" theory of learning disability and demonstrates the feasibility of creating more homogeneous diagnostic groups within this broad and ill-defined category of exceptional children. (Author/CL)

The author asserts that each institute has made unique contributions to the understanding of learning disabilities, but that the work of the Minnesota Institute may be misinterpreted and misapplied. Unresolved issues include classification of children, relationship of LD to mental retardation, and collaborative research among institutes.…

The article delineates the training and competencies individuals should possess if they have primary responsibility for classification and placement decisions for the learning disabled. (Author)

The author suggests that, if the purpose of classification is to provide educational services, the category of learning disabilities be used to describe pupils with mild handicaps. She cites the folly of research on sytem-selected students because system-selection decisions are biased by political, practical, and financial influences. (CL)

In the first of two articles, the author discusses purposes of and problems involved in diagnosing learning disabilities (LD). Sections focus on three topics: the relationship between LD diagnosis and other assessment activity, the objectives of diagnostic classification, and specific conceptual concerns regarding the LD label. (Author/SBH)

Criticisms of traditional approaches to the assessment of student abilities and instructional program design are reviewed and alternative, dynamic approaches are suggested. A major feature of the suggested approaches is assistance to influence student performance and thus reveal the potential for change. The approaches are categorized and examined…

This response to Stanovich's (EC 607 092) proposal of a new type of learning disability, dysrationalia, looks at implications for the entire learning disabilities field, especially increasing differences between operational and substantive definitions and the ongoing creation of new types of learning disabilities to overcome perceived definitional…

The paper on learning disability (LD) definition and subtypes considers the nature of the definition and differentiation problems, the importance of placing and keeping LD in perspective vis a vis other learning problems, and future development of a LD classification schema using dimensions of cause, severity, pervasiveness, and chronicity.…

The paper identifies areas of agreement among leaders in learning disabilities (LD) including heterogeneity of the LD population; explores the classification problem as it relates to etiology and/or treatment, and proposes a five-step plan to influence public policy concerned with differentiation and treatment of different types of learning…

The learning disabilities (LD) of some gifted students are categorized as subtle gifted LD, hidden gifted LD, and recognized LD and then discussed. Use of instructional strategies that are effective with gifted students and with students who have learning disabilities is recommended. (DB)

In this article, the author criticizes the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for students with learning disabilities and points out some faulty and misguided thinking and assumptions embodied in NCLB's approach to special education. The author fears that the law's unrealistic expectations for these students and their teachers give…

Critically evaluates recent research aimed at empirical identification of homogeneous subtypes of learning disability. It is suggested that researchers strive for more commonality in the methods and measures used for subtype analysis leading to a single classification scheme to reduce heterogeneity and improve educational efforts. (Author/DB)