This article provides recommendations for teachers to better prepare 3rd through 12th grade students with learning disabilities for large-scale writing assessments. The variation across large-scale writing assessments and the multiple needs of struggling writers indicate the need for test preparation to be embedded within a comprehensive,…

This article describes LEARN, a five-step plan to help students with disabilities succeed on tests. The steps include listen for hints, clues, and important information; examine notes, books, and papers; apply study and memory strategies; review every night; and nail the test. The benefits to using this approach are reviewed. (CR)

Lists and discusses the functions that cooperative quizzes can serve if structured correctly. The quizzes can facilitate a greater understanding of the subject, promote better test-taking skills, and be used as a mechanism to foster cooperative groups. (DDR)

This paper identifies three noncognitive domains relevant for academic achievement in K-12-- student engagement, behavioral learning strategies, and school climate. The paper also documents empirical findings that show relationships between these three noncognitive domains and academic achievement, especially in the areas of reading and…

Noting that students must at some point begin to assume responsibility for their own learning to become mature, independent members of society, this pamphlet is designed to help students get started in taking studying seriously. The pamphlet presents: (1) 7 suggestions on when to study; (2) 6 ideas on where to study; (3) 13 suggestions on what to…

Test-taking skills should be part of learning-disabled students' instruction. Student performance on previous tests should be analyzed to determine lack of information, carelessness, misinterpretation, material not studied, or incorrect reading. Notetaking techniques, language problems, and special problems presented by essay tests and math tests…

This article discusses the four elements to learning successful test taking: time strategies, error avoidance strategies, guessing strategies, and deductive reasoning strategies. Test tricks and gimmicks are described and a list of Web sites is provided that includes resources for identifying learning strategies and for accessing study guides. (CR)

This book offers study strategies and techniques which were originally used in resource rooms for students with mild disabilities but are appropriate for all students, all content areas, and all educational levels. The book is structured around the acronym SMARTS for the six action steps or skills covered: (1) Studying, (2) Memorizing, (3) Active…

Principles for ensuring effective use of semantic webbing in meeting study skill needs of students with learning problems are noted. Important study skills are listed, along with suggested semantic web topics for which subordinate ideas may be developed. Two semantic webs are presented, illustrating the study skills of multiple choice test-taking…

This leaflet describes simple techniques for developing children's ability to do well on tests, as derived from research done through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Suggestions for parents are divided into five sections: (1) Why Test?; (2) Ask the School; (3) Avoid Test Anxiety; (4) Do's and Don'ts; and (5) After the Test.…

Doing well on tests and earning good grades begin with good study habits. This digest offers a plan to help in preparing for tests. It explains how to study for and take tests. Organization, planning, and time management skills are essential to becoming a successful student. A good student reads assignments, listens during lectures, and takes good…

This selected bibliography, a companion piece to "Interventions for Students with Learning Disabilities, lists 165 print resources on teaching students with learning disabilities how to learn by teaching them how to use learning strategies. Items were published from 1988 through 1997. Some items listed present overviews of the field, from research…

This guide for parents of students with learning disabilities in Alberta (Canada) presents a variety of strategies parents can use to help their children in grades 1 through 9 become successful learners. Section 1 offers ideas for helping students get and stay organized such as using self-talk to create a positive attitude and organizing…

This step-by-step study skills curriculum was designed to enable regular and special education teachers to teach students with disabilities study skills that will enable them to keep up in their content area classes. Chapters address: (1) familiarizing students with the class and the materials they will need; (2) time management and setting long…

Compiled from a variety of sources, this booklet offers practical tips to help students develop better learning and study skills. Topics discussed in the booklet are: listening in the classroom; getting the most from textbooks; taking notes; the Cornell note-taking system; how to write well; improving math study skills; how to do well on essay…