Adolescents (n=18) with learning disabilities or low achievement were trained to use interactive dialogs to collaboratively plan and revise individually written opinion essays. Analysis indicated that, when compared with untrained controls, trainees improved significantly from pretest to posttest in clarity and cogency of their writing and…

This model for assessing the readiness for college of high school students with learning disabilities offers a life-span developmental perspective. It identifies life-event stressors, mediating variables (abilities and attitudes), the social-psychological adaptation process, and adaptive/maladaptive outcomes. (DB)

This article considers mathematics instruction for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have learning disabilities. Linguistic, cultural, and cognitive influences on students' abilities to learn mathematics are discussed. Potential learning problems and ways to address these problems are identified. (DB)

The case is made that advances in chaos and complexity theories and self-organizing systems have important implications for the field of learning disabilities. Problems with behaviorism are discussed and the properties of self-organizing systems are explained. The concepts of continuous, nonlinear development and motivation and volition are…

This article describes criteria developed by the three Georgia Learning Disorder Centers to determine eligibility for services of college students with learning disabilities. Five definitions for learning disability in adolescents and adults are compared. The specific criteria used by the centers are detailed, as are criteria for accepting outside…

The Council for Exceptional Children's 1996 Teacher of the Year, Donald Butzko, a high school teacher of students with learning disabilities and mental retardation, is profiled. Characteristics of Butzko that have enhanced his effectiveness are identified, including his relationship with parents, his attendance at students' extracurricular…

Assesses the relationship of Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning scores to Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children II and Woodcock-Johnson-Revised results in three groups: (1) learning disabled children with reading difficulties; (2) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children; and (3) nonhandicapped referred children. Total sample…

This article explains reasons for focusing on social studies as an untapped domain in which to foster thinking and problem solving skills of students with disabilities, discusses the use of multimedia technology in supporting projects in the social studies, explores considerations in implementing multimedia design projects, and examines challenges…

Discusses the efficacy of a Writers' Workshop (WW) approach for promoting writing skills and writing self-efficacy in fourth- and fifth-grade learning-disabled students who had significant writing deficits. Compares various outcomes from WW students with outcomes of students with significant writing deficits who were exposed to a "writing across…

With strong administrative and parental support, Hinsdale (Illinois) Central High School successfully launched an inclusive (and heterogeneous-grouping) policy with five special-needs ninth graders in fall 1995; eight others took some regular courses while remaining in their traditional special-education program. (MLH)

Two studies involving 29 third-grade teachers found that overall, teachers used whole class instruction for reading and the same materials for all students, including students with learning disabilities. Students with learning disabilities made little academic progress and their attitudes about reading did not improve over time. (Contains…

Twenty-eight experienced English language professionals were surveyed regarding the degree of difficulty students with deafness with and without learning disabilities might have in dealing with 30 specific English language phenomena. Spelling knowledge and a variety of English discourse, lexical, syntactic, and morphological phenomena emerged as…

This article describes a points-and-levels system to improve behavior of students with learning and behavioral disabilities in an upper-elementary special education setting. The four levels each involved specified responsibilities and privileges and students earned specified numbers of points to qualify for a "successful day" and eventual…

Reviews data from 13 major follow-up studies of youth with learning disabilities regarding postschool outcomes, postsecondary education, and employment, with attention to gender differences. Notes contradictions in the findings and identifies five methodological issues that appear to influence the conduct and interpretation of follow-up studies. A…

Explains what mild disabilities are and discusses the issue of mainstreaming within the realm of elementary school social studies. Provides strategies for social studies teachers to use when addressing the needs of students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, mild mental retardation, and other health impairments. (CMK)