Twenty-two secondary students with learning disabilities were successfully taught the principles of scientific reasoning. Using student-teacher dialogs, students analyzed information presented in magazine articles and advertisements. Students improved their ability to identify the principal claim made in an article or advertisement, graph the…

This article explores ways to enhance oral discussions to increase the written language abilities of students with learning disabilities. It discusses oral and written language differences, and offers specific strategies for improving oral narrative skills within the Language Experience Approach (LEA), such as using semantic maps and teaching…

This study compared teacher and parent ratings on the Homework Problem Checklist for 111 children (either learning disabled, behavior disordered, or typical; ages 7 to 17). The study found that both groups with disabilities experienced more problems than the typical children, and the group with behavioral disorders had the most pronounced…

This paper reviews research involving the use of visual depictions such as webs, matrices, timelines, networks, and charts of relationships to teach content information to students with learning disabilities. As an adjunct to lecture-discussion instruction, these enhancements have been shown to result in greater student learning of content…

This article describes how the Division for Learning Disabilities surveyed interdisciplinary experts and conducted a Delphi procedure to develop a list of competencies to guide preparation for teaching students with learning disabilities. The list of validated competencies determined to be essential for the preparation of professionals is listed,…

This article describes problems with content area textbooks, outlines difficulties for mainstreamed students with learning disabilities, and reviews ways to improve the content organization and instructional strategies of content area texts using examples from a U.S. history text. Strategies include a problem-solution-effect text structure,…

This paper discusses distinguishing learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from each other and from other problems of childhood; a new conceptual model and working definition for reading disability; distinction between the psychological construct of "attention" and ADHD, the disorder; and the need for a…

This study investigated technology use in California special education programs from the perspective of special education program administrators (n=292), special educators routinely using technology (n=302), and special educators not using technology (n=87). All groups, including nonusers, were enthusiastic about the benefits of technology for…

This article discusses case studies of subjects labeled as learning disabled (LD) who have gained a degree of proficiency in a second language. The subjects' performance on written dictations, oral readings, and comprehension after oral and silent reading are compared qualitatively between their first and second language. (60 references) (JL)

The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test assesses achievement in students in grades K-12, with subtests in reading, mathematics reasoning, spelling, reading comprehension, numerical operations, listening comprehension, oral expression, and written expression. The test was developed to assist in identification of students with learning…

Analysis of responses of Virginia educators (n=788) to a survey concerning increased integration of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) found limited program change-related guidelines or category-specific outcome-monitoring measures. Doubts about the ability and willingness of general education teachers to make instructional changes…

Examined 75 children previously diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reexamined initial reasons for referral. Nearly one-third of diagnosed ADHD group was reclassified with mental disorders. Concluded that comorbidity among ADHD symptoms, other mental disorders, and learning disabilities has rendered 8 of 14 ADHD…

Describes a student with learning disabilities and how teaching methods emphasizing accommodating the student helped him find success. Illustrates how accommodating for learning differences can result in student success. (HB)

Examines research on teacher-directed instruction in mainstream reading classes with students with learning disabilities. Discusses findings of descriptive investigations of teacher-directed instruction. Reports two studies of the effects of teacher-change efforts. Uses applications of explicit teaching as a framework to address the lack of…

This study found that special education teachers (n=18) effectively integrated two feedback routines into their teaching: a teacher-delivered elaborated feedback routine and an elaborated feedback plus student-acceptance routine. The routines were equally powerful in reducing the number of trials to mastery for students with learning disabilities.…