This chapter presents an over-review of the related literature and describes current findings in learning disabilities. Specifically, a definition of learning disabilities (LD) is provided, followed by a description of the prognosis for students identified with LD, predictors of success, factors in coping, and the relationship of LD to behavior.…

Hospice care is available for 6 months before death but the length of use varies widely, suggesting that there are different perspectives on the appropriate timing for this transition. This qualitative study explored hospice professionals' views on the appropriate timing for and communication about hospice. Ethnography of team meetings informed…

Looks at relationship between recovery (symptom reduction) from serious psychiatric disorder and patient-held and therapist-held expectations for recovery. Objective measures of prognostic expectations were taken from patients upon hospital admission and from therapists shortly thereafter. Found that therapists', but not patients', expectations…

Certain subtests of the WISC, ITPA, and Stanford-Binet are used as measures of analogical reasoning. Because several facts suggested that the form of analogy used on these subtests does not require subjects to engage in true analogical reasoning, the validity of these subtests as measures of analogical reasoning was investigated. (Author)

The purpose of this study involving predicting academic success in a teacher education program was to determine the relationship among the following factors; scores on the Mooney Problem Checklist (MPC), Kuder Preference Record Vocational (KPSV), Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA), American College Test (ACT), and National Teacher…

Previous research has shown that only nursing home "short stayers" will return to the community. Analyzed data to predict factors important both to discharge and tenure. Independent variables included age, sex, past residence, prognosis, and family ties. Results point to prognosis as a key predictor both of discharge and of tenure.…

Describes the construction and testing of an instrument to measure kinesthetic perception. The test can be used on the first day of typing class to predict straight-copy typing speed. Sections or variables on the test are identified that best predict straight-copy speed and number of stroking errors. (Author/SK)

The paper states and proves three propositions regarding the usefulness of the ITED (Iowa Tests of Educational Development) in preparing adult basic education students to take the GED tests. The first proposition, that the ITED can be a useful practice test for GED candidates, is supported by the fact that the ITED tests are designed to measure…

A study was conducted to develop an instrument which would require a relatively short time to complete and would predict an adult's probable performance on a five-part General Educational Development (GED) test. It was believed that the cloze procedure (a measure of reading comprehension in which every fifth word is deleted from a reading passage…

Studied weight-gain 127 primary anorexics by examining the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Rorschach for indices that may predict improvement. Results showed that cognitive-focusing skills, measured by the Wechsler, account for roughly half of the variance and were good predictors of weight gain. (WAS)

Studies of variables predicting familial breast cancer (N=59) were analyzed to develop screening recommendations for women with nonhereditary familial breast cancer present. The pooled relative risk (RR) and cumulative probability were used to estimate risk. Data and conclusions are presented. Recommendations for screening and counseling are…

Data on the early prediction of learning problems was summarized by a meta analysis of 58 studies reporting correlations between measures administered in kindergarten or first grade and later reading achievement. The best single predictors of achievement were attention-distractibility, internalizing behavior problems, and language variables.…

The Mink Scale is designed to differentiate between potential dropout and non-dropout students at the junior high school level. Items of the scale represent social, psychological, and educational factors established in previous dropout studies. A pilot study in five Appalachian counties compared scale responses for 189 (dropouts) former students…

An experimental study compared the effectiveness of a traditional General Educational Development (GED) curriculum with a literacy curriculum based on applied literacy skills. An experimental group of 34 adult students received GED instruction emphasizing functional and workplace contexts and supplemental instruction, whereas the 35 students in…

The following papers are presented in this book: "Self-Directed Learning: Consensus and Conflict" (Long); "Challenges in the Study and Practice of Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "A Conceptual Model of Autodidactism" (Tremblay, Theil); "Functional and Dysfunctional Uses of Self-Directedness in Adult…