Due to lack of consistency among diagnosis practices of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in the state of Texas, as well as other legal matters regarding diagnoses of SLD, there is a divide among eligibility criteria for students around the state. Currently, the three models that have received the most attention of SLD…

This paper aims to translate for practitioners the principles and methods for evaluating screening measures in education, including benchmark goals and cut points, from our technical manuscript "Evaluation of Diagnostic Systems: The Selection of Students at Risk of Academic Difficulties" (this issue). We offer a brief description of…

The author discusses the regression discrepancy method for identifying learning disabled (LD) children and compares it with other identification techniques, pointing out its advantages but indicating that it is still inadequate as a sole criterion for LD identification. (Author)

In the first of two articles, the author discusses purposes of and problems involved in diagnosing learning disabilities (LD). Sections focus on three topics: the relationship between LD diagnosis and other assessment activity, the objectives of diagnostic classification, and specific conceptual concerns regarding the LD label. (Author/SBH)

A study of the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and evaluation of learning disabled students found that such an approach seemed to be effective. (Author/DLS)

Problems in the application of traditional process-oriented approaches to diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities suggest a need to alter the manner in which these basic processes are conceptualized and measured. (Author)

This document presents the manual for a training workshop for rehabilitation counselors on the delivery of services to persons with learning disabilities. It describes how counselors are trained in the workshop to: (1) use five criteria to establish eligibility; (2) apply the case management system to the classification of learning disabilities as…

Discussed is the role of the pediatrician in the diagnosis of learning disabilities and the management of problems associated with learning disabled children. (IM)

The article discusses an educationally oriented evaluation program for children with learning disorders. (CD)

The assessment and decision-making practices used by 44 child service demonstration centers, which provide services to learning disabled (LD) children, were investigated in a national survey. Results suggested that assessment and decision making in the field of learning disabilities are characterized by variability and inconsistency. (Author/DLS)

The paper reviews the literature on the use of guidelines to identify handicapped children, especially learning-disabled (LD) children, for special programs. Dangers of misidentification of learning-disabled children through rigid use of discrepancy formulas are reported. The paper reviews studies which support: the use of Bannatyne's four factor…

Analyzed diagnostic problem-solving behavior of expert practitioners in learning disabilities field. Performed log sequence analysis on thinking-aloud protocols of reading experts (N=17) assessing two randomly assigned pupils with reading and spelling problems. Found: (1) information gathering by experts not guided by theory; (2) much information…

Compared z-score discrepancy and regression procedure for determining severe discrepancy between ability and achievement among 236 learning-disabled (LD) referrals. Contrasted results with policy dictating that lowest achieving of referrals be considered LD. Evaluated each student with individual intelligence scale and achievement test. Results…

This study found that states with low percentages of students identified as learning disabled (LD) used a diagnostic method for determining a severe discrepancy, whereas few states identifying the most students used such a method. Use of a method to determine a severe discrepancy may reduce inappropriate labeling of students as LD. (Author/JDD)