School psychologists continue to play a critical role in the identification of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in schools. However despite decades of research and debate, the field continues to lack consensus on best practice methodologies. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reauthorization in 2004 increased…

The purposes of "Guidelines for Serving Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Educational Settings" are to: (1) Update previous guidance on serving students with specific learning disabilities (SLD); (2) Provide guidance on the implementation with fidelity of the Response to Intervention (RTI) models as well as the discrepancy…

Many children with problems learning in school can have educational deficits due to underlying auditory processing disorders (APD). For these children, they can be identified as having auditory learning disabilities. Furthermore, auditory learning disabilities is identified as a specific learning disability (SLD) in the IDEA. Educators and…

The main goals of the sport education model (SEM) are to help students become competent, literate, and enthusiastic sportspersons by offering learning opportunities through contextualized sport experiences within the physical education setting. While various resources recommend suitable and easy-to-use assessment tools for physical education…

Increased awareness of twice-exceptional students is important for all educators and psychologists; however, for school psychologists, improved understanding of twice-exceptionality will enhance their unique role in assessing twice-exceptional students and in recommending appropriate interventions in schools. In this article, the authors address…

In this "FastFacts," a state asks the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) to recommend experts in the field of assessing young children who are English Language Learners (ELL) to train administrators and psychologists working in district preschool programs for young children with special needs? This is particularly…

This study examined effects of goal setting, frequency of progress monitoring, and method of evaluating progress on the number of instructional change prompts generated by reading-curriculum-based measurements (CBM). Participants were 31 high-incidence special education students in grades 2-6 selected from 8 schools. Following baseline…

The study in this article examined the relationship of school counselors' reports of demands and resources in their work environment to perceived stress, biographic factors, and caseload characteristics. Participants were 227 school counselors in Texas. Paperwork requirements and size of caseload were rated the most demanding aspects of their job,…

In 1997, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 1990 was amended to require that assistive technology be considered when preparing an individual education program (IEP). This study explored involvement of Midwestern music educators in the IEP development process as well as their knowledge and attitudes regarding use of assistive…

No matter how one formally define response to intervention (RTI), most definitions contain common components: scientific, research-based instruction; the use of learning rate and level as the basis for determining effectiveness of intervention; and decisions about intensity and duration of interventions based on a student's response to…

Metaanalytical procedures examined the Wechsler Intelligence Scale-Revised subtest performance patterns of 36 samples of below average, normal average, learning disabled average, and above average IQ children from research. Relative patterning of WISC-R subtests as reflected in children's Bannatyne-recategorized performance profiles appeared to be…

To produce a greater degree of consistency and reliability in diagnosis of handicapped children, a system called multidimensional actuarial classification is presented for differential diagnosis of mental retardation, inadequate adaptive behavior, social maladjustment, academic under and overachievement, and learning disabilities. (Author/CL)

Illinois assessment personnel (N=579) completed a survey designed to shed light on which professionals use tests, which categories of children are most frequently tested, and which tests are usually used and for what purpose. (Author/SBH)

The instructor's manual examines ways to help regular class teachers develop instruction based on individualized educational programs (IEPs) developed for disabled students. Procedures are described for the workshop leader to discuss training objectives, assumptions concerning the need for training, and a brief review of research. The issue of…

Predictions about future directions in special education assessment include more research on fewer instruments, new types of assessments for identification of learning disabilities, and consumer demand for tests with acceptable technical characteristics. Teacher-oriented assessment predictions include increasing diversity of student performance,…