A simulated report of a child referred either for learning disabilities or gifted placement consideration was reviewed by 40 practicing school psychologists. Results indicate that reason for referral resulted in significant levels of bias regarding assessment and recall of the report and classification of the student. (TJH)

In comparing the annual growth of low-achieving students and high-achieving students who remain at the same percentile rank, educators must choose between the properties of developmental standard scores and grade equivalents. The growth patterns for grade equivalent scores may be more reasonable than those for standard score scales. (SLD)

Learning-disabled ninth-graders (n=58) completed a modified Piagetian isolation-of-variables task, and were compared to normally achieving ninth-graders and fourth-graders. Through cluster analysis, four different patterns of task approach were identified, representing normal performance, general conceptual disorder, specific developmental delay,…

A study compared the writing productivity, syntactic maturity, vocabulary, and mechanics of 48 learning-disabled and 48 normally achieving students in grades 4, 8, and 11. Learning-disabled students' written products were shorter, contained fewer sentences with more words per sentence, included fewer long words, and had more spelling and…

Teacher ratings on reading recognition, reading comprehension, arithmetic, and written expression revealed that behaviorally disordered and learning-disabled adolescents (N=200) were seen as performing significantly below expected levels of achievement. Differences between behaviorally disordered and learning-disabled students appeared to depend…

The study with three sixth-grade learning-disabled students found that a self-instructional strategy to facilitate the generation, framing, and planning of argumentative essays had a positive effect on the students' writing performance and self-efficacy. Effects were maintained over time and transferred to a new setting and new writing genre.…

Examines the information French and English speaking teachers use when programing for learning disabled students. Finds that French teachers rely more on problematic intelligence tests, that perceptual skills are influential in placing moderate-needs children, and that both groups use medical history, sibling performance, academic functioning, and…

Six mildly learning-handicapped young adults were observed for one year following graduation from high school. All six floundered from job to job and from class to class at a community college. They expressed discontent and frustration with their present situation, but were unable to plan realistically for the future. (Author/JDD)

Examines research about learning disabled (LD) students and presents an LD learning-style profile. Describes a learning activity, TELSQA, that social studies teachers can use to encourage reading comprehension. TELSQA asks students to identify title (T), examine material (E), look for important words (L), self-question (SQ), and answer…

Four-year colleges and universities (N=184) offering special programs for post-secondary students with learning disabilities were surveyed. Results related to students served, assessment and referral procedures used, academic and nonacademic services offered, and procedures employed for staff training are discussed in this article. (Author)

This study examined the nature of instruction provided in 40 self-contained special classes for students classified as learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded. Few differences were identified in teacher communication patterns, learner involvement, and instructional methods for students with different categorical…

Interviews, classroom observations, teacher reflections, and surveys were used to investigate 12 general education teachers' (elementary through high school) preplanning, interactive planning, and postplanning activities. Elementary teachers did more planning to include the needs of diverse students and collaborated more with special education…

Outcomes for infants with birth weights less than 800 grams, consequences for their families, and implications for primary care providers are considered. Early identification of difficulties, such as disorders of sensory integration and learning disabilities, and early intervention are advocated. Follow-up when the child is school-age is also…

This article describes postsecondary outcomes of young adults with learning disabilities, specific areas of social problems encountered, and the results of an assessment of social competencies in 404 college students with learning disabilities. The study determined that learning disabilities should not be viewed as just an academic-related…

Effects of a pausing procedure and a lecture outline on the notetaking performance of 33 college students with learning disabilities were investigated. Results found the pause procedure most effective for enhancing immediate recall of lecture ideas and completeness of lecture notes. (Author/PB)