The article presents evidence suggesting a relationship between learning disabilities, brain dysfunction, and cultural-economic disadvantage. The inclusion of disadvantaged children within the learning disability framework of services is recommended. (Author/DB)

Problems with restricting learning disabilities to a range of mild handicaps are noted and five areas of controversy affecting severely learning disabled students are addressed: definitions, student characteristics, identification criteria, educational methods and technology, and educational services. (CL)

The report, developed by a special Iowa task force, examined issues of definition, criteria, and identification procedures for learning disabilities as a point of departure for the examination of current practices affecting learning disabled students in Iowa. The committee's working definintion of learning disabilities is presented as a basis for…

The article reviews the history of public policy, legislation, and services affecting learning disabled children in the context of professional differences concerning definitional issues and anxieties about current initiatives to serve learning disabled students in the regular classroom. The need for solid research on effective instruction with…

The response to previous articles on the Regular Education Initiative looks at the definition of learning disabilities, identification, mainstreaming of mildly handicapped students, attitudes of general educators toward high risk students, the importance of prevention at the elementary level, and delivery systems. (DB)

This paper describes the definitions, diagnostic criteria, and eligibility criteria used by vocational rehabilitation agencies in serving adults with learning disabilities. The paper emphasizes that the focus of all vocational rehabilitation services is on employment and that counseling is at the core of the service program for persons with…

Presented in the third of four papers on Project SCREEN, an Illinois program to identify and remediate learning disabilities, are results of an in-depth study of services provided by five special education cooperatives (consisting of two or more school districts). (DB)

The characteristics of the approximately 2,800 children (in 21 states) enrolled in 24 child service demonstration centers for the learning disabled were evaluated. Focused on were questions such as ages of children, intellectual level, sex distribution, and methods used for the delivery of services. Among findings were that the median IQ was 93;…

This article identifies issues for students with learning disabilities at the secondary level (e.g., underpreparedness, definition, and overidentification) and the postsecondary level (e.g., admission and academic adjustments, service delivery, training and research needs). It calls for policy formulation, research, and administrative planning for…

This study surveyed the beliefs and perceptions of 547 Iowa teachers of students with learning disabilities (LD). Results indicated that these teachers possessed a sound knowledge base for their work which they are willing to modify to enhance their understanding of LD and their efforts to improve the performance of LD students. The survey…

The review examines the literature on services and needs of learning disabled students at the postsecondary level. Statistics are given showing that many learning disabled students do seek postsecondary education. Problems of definition and identification at the postsecondary level are noted. Observable characteristics of learning disabled…

Aspects of the current state of education for learning disabilities (LD) discussed include the theoretical and philosophical orientation, definitions of specific learning disabilities, especially for preschool children, delivery of services, and the role of the LD specialist. (MSE)

This digest presents summary information on the characteristics and needs of children with learning disabilities (LD). The federal definition of learning disabilities is given and the existences of differences at the state level noted. Next viewpoints on various issues are briefly considered including the special educational needs of students with…

Explores current policies and practices concerning the definition, identification, and educational needs of students who are both gifted and learning disabled. Recommendations stress the need for less rigid definitions and cutoff scores for program eligibility and the provision of a wide variety of settings (resource rooms, special classes) and…