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 extant literature on the social functioning of students with learning disabilities (LD) has indicated that whereas a majority belong to peer groups, a higher proportion are isolated and most have lower social status among peers in general than their typically achieving classmates. Although some work has examined these issues over short-term…

This response to Carr (1993) on the issue of inclusion for students with learning disabilities supports inclusion. It distinguishes between "mainstreaming" and "inclusion," describes one inclusion model being implemented, and suggests that the momentum of the inclusion model has been generated by the failure of programs currently serving students…

In Belgium, between 3% and 8% of the children in elementary schools have mathematics learning disabilities (MLD). Many of these children have less developed linguistic, procedural, and mental representation skills. Moreover, a majority of the children have been found to show inaccurate prediction and evaluation skills in Grade 3. MLD often become…

This study examined the effectiveness of reciprocal teaching during social studies instruction with several students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms (grades 4-6). Results indicated that all students improved their performance on comprehension measures and students with learning disabilities significantly improved their ability…

Responsible inclusion of students with learning disabilities in regular education involves putting the student first, allowing teachers to self-select their involvement in inclusion, providing adequate resources, developing school-based inclusive models, maintaining a continuum of services, offering professional development, developing an…

Introduces a series of articles discussing what has been learned about collaboration between regular and special education, school reform as it relates to past knowledge, and future endeavors regarding students with learning disabilities. Summaries of each of the nine articles in the series are included. (CR)

Use of the Foxfire approach to instruction is described as a means of developing learning communities that serve all children. Examples from several elementary classrooms illustrate instructional processes that integrate content with skill development for diverse students, including children with learning disabilities. Core principles of the…

This response to Carr (1993) on the issue of inclusion for students with learning disabilities supports inclusion, noting that special education has promoted the abdication of the regular educator's responsibility. The importance of teacher training is emphasized. (DB)

Thirty-two students with and without learning disabilities who had participated in both inclusion and pull-out service delivery models were interviewed individually. Overall, more children preferred the pull-out model, but many children were confident that inclusion was meeting their academic and social needs. (Author/DB)

The social functioning of primary grade students identified as learning disabled (LD; n=16), low achieving (LA; n=27), or average/high achieving (AHA; n=21) was assessed at the beginning and end of the school year. Students with LD were less well liked, more frequently rejected, and had lower academic self-concept scores. However, LD students…

Mainstream teachers (n=127) in grades one through eight completed a self-evaluation concerning the instructional strategies they used and their attitudes toward their own efficacy and toward mainstreaming. Analysis indicated that teachers with less positive attitudes toward mainstreaming tended to use effective mainstream instructional strategies…

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…

This study examined how 14 Hispanic adolescents either with or without learning disabilities fared academically and socially during the transition from elementary to middle school. Students had been in a sixth grade consultation/collaboration inclusive classroom. Findings suggested that both groups of students experienced the transition similarly…

A study that examined social outcomes of 59 elementary school students with learning disabilities, 72 low- to average-achieving students, and 54 high-achieving students, found that students in the consultation/collaborative-teaching setting demonstrated more positive outcomes than students in the co-teaching setting on friendship quality and peer…