Key developmental tasks of adolescence and the unique problems that face the learning-disabled adolescent are outlined, focusing on the role of social competency and communication effectiveness. Components of a comprehensive social competency training program include the nature of the learning disability, the affective-defensive pattern, adaptive…

Research on learning-disabled secondary school students' academic deficits, response to classroom environment, and response to instructional interventions is integrated with research on metacognition in text learning. A metacognitive orientation is recommended for instructional intervention programs, which should address general comprehension…

The impact of regular and special education on 11 learning-disabled children in fourth through sixth grade was studied by analyzing their slope of improvement on curriculum-based measures of reading scores. A time series analysis indicated that daily reading instruction in a resource room was a more effective intervention than regular education.…

Learning-disabled sixth through eighth grade students (n=25) received vocabulary instruction involving matching negation prefixes to root words. The students used an instructional computer game or a computer program that operated identically but without game features. Both programs produced equal gains in task skill, but the game produced higher…

Discusses recent research on learning style, revealing some of the problems with the research as well as how work on learning modality can help students with trouble in school. Also discusses tests that identify learning style, and advises teachers to keep an open mind about learning style research. (SKC)

The competencies needed for leadership personnel in the field of postsecondary learning disability programs are delineated. The preservice doctoral training in the University of Connecticut's learning disability college program and the inservice program at Connecticut's Learning Disability College Consortium are described. (Author/JDD)

A high school pilot program is described in which 10 special education staff members provided services to 33 regular educators and 83 learning handicapped students in regular classrooms. Implications for defining the structure and service delivery of an effective program and the teacher competencies needed for successful implementation are…

A program is described which successfully improved writing and communication skills in adolescents with learning and behavior problems. The students, inpatients at a mental health hospital, wrote "jargon journals" on topics from a student-generated list. The journals had therapeutic as well as academic benefits. (Author/JDD)

Analysis of feedback provided by 40 teachers in self-contained special education classes serving learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded students discerned no differences by type of handicap involved or in comparison to regular classroom teachers. Results raised questions concerning the appropriateness of…

This study compared the effectiveness of microcomputer and workbook instruction on silent reading comprehension performance of mild mentally retarded and learning disabled 11- to 13-year-olds. Effectiveness was measured by percentage of correct responses to reading comprehension questions and by observing subjects' attention to task behavior. (MBR)

Examines differences between 45 learning disabled, mentally retarded, and Title I elementary students on intelligence, academic achievement, and behavior measures. Indicates that such students perform similarly on academic achievement and behavior measures. Learning disabled and Title I students were similar on an intelligence measure; mentally…

Describes the Success in Reading and Writing Program, designed to help students with attention deficit disorders by involving all four language processes. (FL)

This issue of R&D Alert addresses special education primarily for an audience of general educators and policymakers. As the lead article discusses, the plight of students with disabilities and other special needs is increasingly the concern of all educators, not just those with a particular background in special education. The lead article…

This book presents the "active learner" instructional approach to working with secondary school students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This approach combines the diagnostic prescriptive approach with principles of individualization, direct instruction, strategy instruction, and integration of…

This monograph, one of a series on youth with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, focuses on the educational services provided to youth with behavioral and cognitive disabilities placed in the juvenile justice system. It reports on a review of correctional system monitoring reports, materials from enforcement actions taken against…