Alternative Individualized Education Program (IEP) dispute resolution models should respond to limitations of current options. An experimental IEP dispute resolution program provides parents and schools with an evidence-supported neutral perspective on what is needed for free and appropriate education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment…

The policies underlying the specific learning disability (SLD) regulations in the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are analyzed. The analysis focuses on the Response-to-Intervention (RTI) provision ("if the child responds to scientific, research-based intervention") as a diagnostic model,…

The introduction to the special issue on holism with learning disabled students addresses five current practices not espoused by the holistic model: segmentation of learning, narrow school goals, preoccupation with students' deficits, lack of consideration of student interests/needs in selecting curricula, and obsession with objectivity and fact.…

The paper discusses the rationale for conducting an ecological assessment of learning disabled students, a model for conceptualizing ecological asessment data, factors affecting student performance, sources of ecological assessment data, and implications of such data for the teacher of learning disabled students. (Author/CL)

In using the framework, the two main administrative problems encountered are reporting the evaluation to the decision makers and the feasibility of conducting an IEP evaluation. (Author/PHR)

The article describes a teacher support system model to help regular classroom teachers meet the needs of mainstreamed handicapped children. Based on a survey of perceived prerequisite skills and competencies for dealing with learning and behavior disorders, the Teacher Assistance Team concept was developed to provide a day-to-day peer…

The use of demonstration plus permanent model (DPM) as a teaching strategy was evaluated with 19 learning disabled students (ages 9-14) in the area of computational skills. Results indicated that DPM effectively helped students acquire computational skills across instructional sequences for addition, subtraction, and multiplication. (Author/DB)

This paper examines the complexities of written language in terms of both its mechanical and creative skills. It discusses four approaches to providing assistance to writers with learning disabilities, including rule and skill instruction, substantive facilitation, procedural facilitation, and self-instructional strategy training; and recommends a…

The paper presents a consolidated criteria model which can be used to identify the discrepancy and severity level of learning disabled students. (Author/SBH)

This paper discusses arguments for the social nature of knowledge construction, the balancing influence of individual knowledge construction, conceptualization of the relative roles of individual and social dynamics in children's learning, important principles of effective instruction, and implications for designing educational programs for…

This article examines a 1995 treatment validity model as a framework for identifying learning disabilities. This model: (1) examines both student performance and responsiveness to instruction; (2) delays special education referral until the effects of individual student adaptations in the regular classroom have been explored; and (3) verifies that…

The paper presents the position of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities regarding design and implementation of inservice programs for professionals serving learning disabled persons. Recommendations touch on needs assessment, competence of inservice leaders, models, multidisciplinary approaches, and administrative support. (CL)

An intervention framework for the management of communication disorders in learning disabled children is presented. The model is comprised of three components: communicative intentions (what a speaker wants to convey), presupposition (a speaker's message in relation to specific information needs of a listener), and the social organization of…

The paper describes and advocates process-oriented rather than product-oriented approaches to language intervention for students with language-learning disabilities. The paper discusses the need for different reasoning strategies in language intervention, a "levels of competence" macromodel for language intervention, a process-oriented micromodel,…

A model of development for children and youth with learning disabilities (LD) is presented, including three cognitive/academic development variables, seven affective variables, three social development variables, and four behavior development variables. The model presents a holistic view of LD students and considers various issues that can impede…