Learning Disabilities in Mathematics (LDM) or dyscalculia are a frequent and disruptive problem within schools. Nevertheless, this problem has received little attention from researchers and practitioners, if compared with the number of studies published on disabilities in reading. Therefore, teachers do not have enough guidance to help children…

This article describes the work of Oscar Lewis, Paul Willis, and John U. Ogbu, who used the concept of culture to explain the difficulties some children had in schools. Although Lewis, Willis, and Ogbu were well trained as ethnographers and their work influenced educators, critics complained that their explanations did not fit their evidence. The…

Schools teams rely on their screening measures to consistently and accurately predict which students are at risk for poor academic outcomes. Among the many important attributes to consider when selecting screening measures is age appropriateness. Reading and mathematics skills that are used at the kindergarten level are different from those used…

This article offers some explanations for the simultaneous expansion of special educational services and personnel, with the increasing inclusion in mainstream education of more young people with disabilities and learning difficulties. Following discussions with some 70 professionals, administrators and others in a study in four countries, it…

The purpose of this article is to share information related to the emergence of mathematics renewal (i.e., enhancing teacher instruction) for struggling learners within an elementary PDS. Specifically, background related to the PDS and three phases of the renewal process are discussed (i.e., identification of needs, implementation of new…

Results of classroom research are reported which analyzed the spelling errors of 60 low-achieving students (ages 9-11), as well as lists of words students indicated they wanted to learn. These and other investigations were used to develop a computer-presented precision spelling program, whose features are described in detail. (JW)

The growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools and the low academic achievement of many of these learners have been the subject of much debate. A significant related issue is determining the sources of ELLs' difficulty, namely, understanding the distinction between learning disabilities (LD) and learning difficulties…

This report outlines the major findings and recommendations of a study of drop-outs and "divergent youth" in Los Angeles public schools. The purposes of the research were to: identify the divergent youth population; study current practices and options which negatively impact the students' social and academic progress within the…

Explores the assumption that issues-centered instruction is fine for advanced students but too difficult for low-achieving adolescents when reviewing case studies of world geography classes composed of low-achieving students. Concludes that teachers confront numerous difficulties in planning and implementing issues-centered instruction for…

This article proposes an experimental, output-oriented noncategorical alternative to traditional approaches to identification of students for special education. The "20/20 Analysis" identifies students showing the least (below twentieth percentile) and most (above eightieth percentile) progress toward educational objectives. Application in two…

An intensive 10-day peer tutor training component is described as a key element in the success of a peer tutoring program in mathematics for 21 low-achieving second graders. Results suggest the program's effectiveness in increasing the speed and accuracy of responses on written speed tests of addition facts. (Author/JW)

This article seeks on strategies to help low achievers persist with learning mathematics. The author discusses an 11-week teaching project with six primary school children who struggle in learning mathematics. It begins with the introduction of affective (emotional) strategies, and followed by a period of consolidation of affective work and ends…

This paper investigates issues-centered instruction looks in two ninth grade classrooms composed of large numbers of low achieving high school students. The key principles of issues-centered instruction are described with an examination of the barriers of the approach with low achieving students. The paper reports on two world geography classrooms…

Investigates a possible link between academic difficulties and early literacy deprivation among the immigrant Ethiopian population in Israel. Findings suggest that such deprivation can affect the person after he becomes literate and multilingual and that literacy exposure in early childhood and first-language maintenance is important. (11…

The Test of Mathematical Abilities is used to identify students (ages 8-18) who are above or below age peers in 5 areas (attitude toward math, vocabulary, computation, general information, and story problems). This paper describes the test's administration, summation of data, standardization, reliability, and validity. (JDD)