Review of 180 intervention studies identified instructional components that best predicted effect sizes for students with learning disabilities. These included sequencing, drill-repetition-practice feedback, segmentation of information, technology (structure-presentation medium), controlling task difficulty (e.g., scaffolding), modeling…

Examines how learning-support resources are allocated to Scottish secondary schools, drawing on data from an Edinburgh education authority. Although a rationale for allocating resources based on socioeconomic indices can be constructed, basing decisions on a combination of standardized attainment tests and special-needs audits is preferable.…

This article describes the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, an assessment instrument designed to assess the phonological processing skills of individuals between the ages of 5 and 24.11 years and to identify those with phonological processing difficulties. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and validity are discussed.…

A study examined responses of 97 California teachers and 59 Guatemalan teachers to vignettes describing boys with and without learning disabilities (LD) who had failed a test. Guatemalan teachers felt more pity and less anger for boys with LD. Both groups provided more rewards to boys expending high effort levels. (Contains references.) (CR)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a four-step phonological awareness strategy on the reading skills of nine third-grade students with learning disabilities or educable mental retardation. Results indicated students made substantial improvement on measures of blending and segmenting sounds, pronouncing words, auditory discrimination, and…

Outlines what it means to be "learning disabled" and presents a number of symptoms of learning disabilities. Suggests means by which social studies teachers can reach learning disabled students and help them to learn, including alternative assignments, guided notes, unit organizers, cooperative learning, and active response activities. (DSK)

The patterns of cognitive play of 28 African-American and Euro-American preschool children with intellectual disabilities are reported. Fourteen children representing each group, matched on developmental age and family variables, were observed playing independently at home. The pattern of African-American children's play was more reflective of…

This study of 20 sixth- and seventh-grade students with learning disabilities receiving social studies instruction found that prelesson learning set activities (including interactive review of previous instruction, statements of lesson objectives and expectations, and discussion of the lesson's importance) resulted in significantly better…

Examination of the prevalence of substance use among low socioeconomic status elementary and middle school Mexican American students identified with (n=150) or without (n=150) learning disabilities found no difference in substance abuse rate between the two groups. Risk factors for LD students included susceptibility to peer influence and…

Schools can reduce special-education and remedial instruction costs by helping students succeed in early grades. This article profiles several prevention and early intervention programs, including Success for All, Reading Recovery, Prevention of Learning Disabilities, the Carolina Abecedarian Project, Comer's School Development Program, and…

Comparison of two fourth-grade teachers who effected different patterns of achievement (either expected achievement or high achievement) among their students (including those with learning disabilities or low achieving) found important differences in terms of pacing and format of instruction, student involvement in the lessons, motivation,…

A study of fourth-grade students with and without learning disabilities and their teachers examined students' strategic comprehension behavior and the instruction they received. Results found important differences in the way students perceive their comprehension instruction in the classroom and in the way teachers perceive how they implement…

Two studies identified the characteristics of high-quality middle school classroom assignments and their explanations, as indicated by 10 teachers, 13 students with learning disabilities, and 14 students without LD, and then developed an assignment completion routine for teachers and students based on the identified characteristics. Teachers were…

Learning differences or disabilities can be best understood and addressed within the holistic/constructivist theory of knowledge construction and the reciprocal evolution of cognitive structures. Learning differences manifest themselves in the spirals of mental structuring activity that guide relational thinking. Such a perspective focuses on…

This article describes a 9-week writing workshop in a fourth grade classroom. The workshop was based on a process-writing model, graphic organizers, and ongoing assessment using a six-trait writing assessment rubric. Although both high and low scoring groups made significant progress, the low group made the most progress. (Contains 13 references.)…