We examined the efficacy of a content acquisition and reading comprehension intervention implemented in eighth-grade social studies classrooms. Using a within-teacher randomized control design, 18 eighth-grade teachers' social studies classes were randomly assigned to a treatment or comparison condition. Teachers taught all their classes…

A synthesis of the extant research on peer-mediated reading and math interventions for students in regular or alternative education settings with academic difficulties and disabilities in Grades 6 to 12 (ages 11-18) is presented. Interventions conducted between 2001 and 2012 targeting reading and math were included if they measured effects on at…

Reading achievement scores for adolescents with disabilities are markedly lower than the scores of adolescents without disabilities. For example, 62% of students with disabilities read "below" the basic level on the NAEP Reading assessment, compared to 19% of their nondisabled peers. This achievement gap has been a continuing challenge…

This study examines the interaction between the fidelity of implementation of a set of research-based strategies--Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR)--and outcomes for students with mild to moderate disabilities using data from two nonoverlapping studies in middle school language arts and reading classrooms (Study 1) and middle school social…

Recent research in mathematics instruction underscores the importance of problem solving and higher-level thinking. This article presents four themes in instruction for students with learning disabilities: (1) provide a broad, balanced mathematics curriculum; (2) engage students in meaningful problem tasks; (3) accommodate diverse learning styles;…

Discusses a process for integrating technology adaptations for students with learning disabilities into cooperative-learning activities in terms of three components: (1) selecting adaptations; (2) monitoring use of adaptations during cooperative-learning activities; and (3) evaluating the adaptations' effectiveness. Barriers to and support systems…

Adolescents (n=18) with learning disabilities or low achievement were trained to use interactive dialogs to collaboratively plan and revise individually written opinion essays. Analysis indicated that, when compared with untrained controls, trainees improved significantly from pretest to posttest in clarity and cogency of their writing and…

This article reviews the effects of homework on students with disabilities (especially learning disabilities or behavior disorders), the essentials of effective homework programs, and variables affecting home-school partnerships. It highlights three training packages: a cooperative learning teams-based approach for classrooms and two parent…

This exploratory research describes results of a thematic literature-based unit in an upper elementary, self-contained class for students with learning disabilities. Social and collaborative activities included reading, writing, and speaking on the topic of friendship. Literacy outcomes are illustrated in three case histories. (DB)

This case study describes use of apprenticeship opportunities in a collaborative writing context with two primary grade students with multiple disabilities in an inclusive setting. Analysis of written work and verbal interactions revealed the collaborative peer approach fostered active and constructive participation by both students. (Contains…

This study involved 524 students in 2 elementary schools in analyzing the effects of instructional service changes. Services included cooperative learning for sixth grade students, cross-age tutoring for special/remedial students in grades 1-3, and in-class services for all grade levels. None of the three treatments had much impact on achievement.…