Software packages geared to learning disabled college students in such subjects as reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics are briefly described, and a partial list of specialty publishers is included. (Author/CB)

Suggests that community colleges respond to increasing numbers of students with inadequate reading skills through informal assessment of students' ability, focus on study and discovery skills, comprehension development strategies, and the linguistic approach. Considers future needs and facilities. (DMM)

Finger spelling was effectively used to improve the spelling performance of 12 students (grades 4-9) with spelling problems. The 10-step procedure involves use of a partner (preferably a parent), intermittent involvement of the special education teacher, and a time period of 3 to 9 months. (DB)

Describes an introductory activity called educational oral history which was designed to improve communications between teachers and disadvantaged students in an integrated basic course in reading and writing. Concludes the project also raised students' pride and ability to comprehend and participate in the course. (SD)

Identifies three stages of developmental writing topics: simple personal topics that encourage fluency; topics that encourage students to use reading, writing, critical thinking, and dialog; and academic topics involving abstract concepts. Presents a reading/writing/critical thinking/dialog framework for writing assignments, whereby class…

Argues that strategies for overcoming reading comprehension problems should contain the elements of cognitive and metacognitive training. Advocates a reading/learning/study strategy which involves systematic and deliberate instruction stressing increased comprehension by demonstration and guided practice followed by independent application of the…

A study involving 63 third graders revealed that the Wide Range Achievement Test gives higher grade equivalent scores than the Test of Written Spelling and that Canadian and American norms were incongruent. Spelling error analysis suggested that the visual image should be a primary focus for both third-grade and remedial students. (CL)

Reports on a survey of Texas community college libraries conducted to determine to what extent library services were offered to developmental programs and students and the impact of these services on academic achievement. (AYC)

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) attempts to improve on the theory and technology of intelligence testing. The criteria used for this evaluation of the K-ABC are adequate theoretical basis; expanded range of abilities measured; incremental as well as convergent and discriminant validity; multiple meaningful scores; and training…

What two teachers found when they took a close look at the results of a sentence-solving test given in grades four and five is reported. Error patterns appeared less frequently after instruction but recurred on retention tests. How students can be helped is suggested. (MNS)

Offers a technique to develop the student's ability to critically evaluate another's writing as well as his or her own. (HOD)

This text provides a comprehensive framework for the direct assessment of academic skills. Presented is a readily applicable, four-step approach for working with students experiencing a range of difficulties with reading, spelling, written language, or math. School-based practitioners are guided sequentially through assessment of the instructional…

This study explores a program designed to revolutionize developmental mathematics at the college level using the new handheld computer algebra systems and new information about the ways in which students learn mathematics. Students in one class of developmental algebra worked with the new approach to learn algebra by building on their intuitive…

Labette Community College (LCC), Parsons, Kansas, a public comprehensive community college, received a 5-year Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education to strengthen their academic programs through the implementation of computer-assisted basic skills instruction coupled with a comprehensive retention program. To study the progress…

This paper provides an overview of a discussion about the establishment of a basic skills discipline at the Spring 1990 Session of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. The Ad Hoc Basic Skills Committee heard arguments and concerns on both sides of the issue. Arguments for the opposition included concern about the fragmentation of…