Mindset theory is an achievement motivation theory that centers on the concept of the malleability of abilities. According to mindset theory, students tend to have either a growth mindset or a fixed mindset about their intelligence; students with a growth mindset tend to believe that intelligence is malleable, whereas students with fixed mindsets…

The article describes the author's subjective experience -- as an actor-researcher -- of being part of the performance "Toinen katse." The performance was the first artistic part of her artistic doctoral research conducted for a doctoral degree at the University of Tampere. The article explores carefully two scenes from the performance,…

In this design case, we describe our first attempt to create a virtual mathematics tutoring program for students with learning disabilities. We describe in detail how the design was motivated by the pandemic which forced schools into remote learning, how a university and school collaborated on the design, the rationale for our design decisions,…

Transition planning and processes can greatly influence the quality of schooling transitions for students with learning disabilities. Student-focused planning and family involvement are two integral components of transition planning that do not always receive the emphasis that they deserve. The educational transitions of one student are examined…

Success in our 21st century schools is linked with students' mastery of a wide range of academic and technological skills that rely heavily on executive function processes. This article describes a theoretical paradigm for understanding, assessing, and teaching that emphasizes the central importance of six executive function processes: goal…

In the United States, approximately 2.5 million students are diagnosed as having a learning disability and the majority of those children are placed in special education because of an inability to read as expected. As a result of this diagnosis, these children may be placed in special education classrooms--classrooms that are separate from the…

Why do some students go above and beyond what is asked of them while others do just enough to get by? This "Focus On" debunks common underachievement myths (such as "some students aren't capable of learning" or "underachievers are lazy") and looks at ways to create a motivating classroom by providing teachers with effective strategies for engaging…

In many respects epilepsy is as much a social disorder as it is a physical one. With epilepsy's long human history, many misconceptions have grown around the disorder. Those misconceptions have taken on a life of their own. Mistaken ideas that epilepsy is some form of evil possession, that it is a form of mental illness, that people with epilepsy…

Implementing a behavior management model that focuses on student self-determination and self-advocacy can improve students' understanding of themselves and their strengths and weaknesses as well as support their ability to formulate strategies and goals for behavior improvement. Such a model promotes student buy-in and provides the student with…

Anxiety! Stress! Fear! Everyone lives in a time of escalating accountability in terms of state, district, and city-wide examinations that measure student growth in the acquisition of skills and content area knowledge. All students feel increased pressure to constantly demonstrate improved levels of academic performance. For students with cognitive…

Fifth grade students with learning disabilities receive a ten-week unit on learning styles and the special education process as part of their transition to the middle school. Developed by a learning center teacher and guidance counselor, the program is derived from the literature on self-determination and from the work of Mel Levine. The…

While graduation from high school may be common for students with learning disabilities, successful completion of a four-year degree program at the postsecondary level is not as common. This article contains the stories of the first three high school students with learning disabilities taught by the author who successfully graduated from…

A five session program that involved empathy, sensitivity exercises, and a visit to a resource room reduced the ostracizing by fifth graders of their learning disabled peers. The program was designed to deal with the students' values to excel and their typical preadolescent fear of being different from peers. (CL)

Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio) has provided special educational services to learning disabled students since 1974. Among program components are basic skills courses, special tutoring and test-taking arrangements, a library of taped textbooks, and counseling. Student characteristics and their attitudes toward self and the program are…

The author describes a program for high school learning disabled students emphasizing the integration of cognitive and affective aspects of learning. Student attitude and achievement gains are noted as well as increased teacher skills and self-confidence. (CL)