This study evaluated 4 types of assessment with 74 fourth-grade students with and without learning disabilities (LD) in general education classrooms. Students with and without LD performed more strongly on the hands-on tasks than the paper-and-pencil measures; the facilitative effect of hands-on assessment was greater for students with LD and…

This review of research finds that, when IQ and reading ability are controlled, "true" math deficits of students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorders (ADHD) are specific to mathematical concepts and problem types. Slow computation affects problem solving by increasing attentional…

The TRAC (Trade-Related Academic Competencies) model is designed for use by special education teachers in conjunction with vocational educators to provide a positive first experience for students with learning disabilities in transition from school to employment. The model assesses and develops academic skills in 26 vocational education program…

Summarizes 6 recent studies of students in grades K-8 that examined learning effects of the following: reading stories to young children, student cooperative behaviors, teaching a keyword mnemonic technique to learning-disabled students, interrogative elaborative activity during reading, retention in grade, and a behavior management program for…

Seventh-grade science students (n=22) wrote prompted essays, compare-contrast essays, and traditional end-of-chapter criterion-referenced tests. Results indicated that essay tests may be highly sensitive to instructional content and prompt design, and the validity of essays as measures of content learning relates more to goals of instruction than…

Maintains that educational integration assumes that heterogeneous grouping will increase the extent to which the learning disabled are accepted by peers. Reports on a study of 128 adolescents in integrated and nonintegrated schools. Finds that the frequency of contacts, not the type of school attended, led to more positive expectations. (CFR)

Children with epilepsy frequently display cognitive sequelae that are overlooked or misunderstood by educational personnel, yet may adversely impact academic performance. Reviews common cognitive-behavioral characteristics of children with epilepsy, typical effects of anticonvulsant medications, and various periictal phenomena and their relative…

Examines the effects of chronic illness on the school-age population. Facilitating successful functioning of chronically ill youths is a growing problem. Focuses on problems encountered by the chronically ill student who has either been diagnosed with a chronic illness or who has survived such an illness. Discusses the role of the school…

Describes a case study of a sixth-grade student experiencing profound difficulties in learning to read, and the instructional intervention that helped him make significant progress. Comments on the public school's responsibility to provide effective remedial instruction. (SR)

This article considers sociocultural and linguistic aspects of children with learning disabilities in one region of Italy, noting the role of bilingualism and "standard" Italian language learning problems. The article examines legislative aspects; the roles of the school, hospitals, public services, and private institutes; and parental…

This comparison of regression discrepancy model results for learning disability identification used published IQ-achievement and reliability coefficients and generic, mean values. Use of mean IQ-achievement values resulted in higher discrepancy rates for a clinical sample. Use of both mean IQ-achievement and reliability values resulted in higher…

This study compared parent and teacher behavioral ratings for 77 children (ages 5-16) diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H), attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity (ADD/WO), or learning disabilities (LD). ADD/WO and LD children were rated similarly on symptoms of withdrawal and impulsivity but differed…

Sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students (n=135) were administered the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale. Teachers and parents also rated the children's self-concepts. Teachers generally underestimated the self-concepts of average students and students with learning disabilities but overestimated high achieving students' self-concepts.…

This article describes various types of allergies, how they are diagnosed medically, and the different forms of medical treatment. It also considers how allergies may affect school learning and behavior, the connection between allergies and learning and behavioral disorders, the impact of allergy medications upon classroom performance, and various…

This article describes an integrated program in marine biology. The program was implemented in a nongraded inclusive setting with second- to fourth-grade students whose abilities ranged from gifted to learning disabled. The program integrated science, art, music, language arts, and research and computer skills. (DB)