A study compared the benefits of phonological awareness instruction along with and without a phonics computer software program to improve phonological and reading skills in elementary students with mild mental disabilities. During the eight weeks of the study in the fall of 1999, elementary resource students were taught phonological awareness…

This study compared the perceptions of 227 ninth- and tenth-grade students with learning disabilities in regular and special secondary classrooms. Students' perceptions of their classroom environment and their social competence were assessed. Results showed that students with learning disabilities perceived regular classes as being better…

This monograph is a synthesis of research findings of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development research program concerning how children learn to read, why some children and adults have difficulties learning to read, and effective ways to help children learn to read. The review covered studies performed over the last 33 years at…

This digest summarizes research on methods of student grouping in reading instruction other than whole-class instruction and ability grouping. Peer tutoring and reciprocal-role tutoring have been demonstrated to be effective for students with learning disabilities because they are allowed to be either tutors or tutees. Cross-age tutoring has been…

The studies reported here focus on the effects of mode of administration of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in grades 4, 8, and 10. These studies, which draw on earlier studies, also examine the mode of administration effect at different levels of keyboarding speed and for students who received special education (SPED)…

The need for a better understanding and better treatment of learning disabilities (LD) in adult learners of English as a second language (ESL) is discussed. Such an effort should draw on both existing knowledge of LD in the first-language context and new research on LD and second language learning. The ethical implications of teaching ESL to…

A center that enrolls learning disabled pubils from feeder schools offers a curriculum blending career training and special education. (Editor)

Special music therapy programs are designed for children with many types of learning disabilities. Emphasis is on supporting each child's individual development. (ST)

Describes the new meaning of Special Education as it applies to a wide range of students with exceptional needs. (RK)

On the basis of her experience with brain damaged and autistic children, a teacher suggests guidelines for structuring tasks, the learning environment, and student behavior to facilitate learning. (GW)

Reported were clinical principles and procedures of behavior modification that have been used to establish language in 3- to 6-year-old children with very limited functional communication. (GW)

Indicates need for extensive observational studies of elementary school children by school and health department personnel as base for building developmental program for alleviation of emotional problems. Urges positive use of peer groups to create better environment for handicapped. Offers suggestions for implementation and follow-up. (CJ)

Used the Parent Effectiveness Training program (PET) with parents (N=92) of learning disabled children. Significant differences were found between the treatment and control groups on all five attitudes measured on the Parent Attitude Survey. Similar results were obtained on the Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory. (RC)