Describes how various European countries are providing school choice for students with learning disabilities, focusing on the experiences of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, each of which has adopted school choice as part of its national educational policy, with very different provisions in the area of special education. The paper also…

This article reviews 15 research studies published from 1990 to 2000 examining effects of cooperative learning strategies on the academic achievement of students with learning disabilities. Despite design problems, the review finds that cooperative learning strategies that incorporate individual accountability and group rewards are likely to…

A study examined emotional resiliency, stress level, locus of control, and achievement need in 17 college students with learning disabilities (LD) and 17 controls. Students with LD had higher resiliency scores and achievement need scores and reported fewer college stressors. No differences were found on the locus of control measure. (Contains…

In this article, ten reasons are identified as to why discrepancy scores (based on differences between IQ and reading achievement scores) provide an inadequate means for identifying children with reading disabilities. It is recommended instead that children be identified simply on the basis of problems in reading skills, regardless of their IQs.…

A study involving 129 secondary general education math and special education teachers found a majority of special education teachers had not heard of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards. Teachers identified lack of adequate materials as a considerable barrier to implementation of activities based on the Standards.…

This article discusses major conceptual and methodological issues that have arisen in intervention research, with a focus on interventions for learning problems, particularly reading problems. Research examples are presented to illustrate how conceptual and methodological factors in intervention research can be taken into consideration in the…

A study involving 244,610 children (ages 6-8) investigated birth risk factors for learning disabilities. Very low birth weight, low 5- minute Apgar score, and low maternal education were associated with highest individual-level risk. Low maternal education, late or no prenatal care, and tobacco use were associated with highest population-level…

A study involving 4,141 schools investigated gender and race/ethnicity disproportionality among students identified as having learning disabilities. There was a clear association between ethnicity and gender and the odds of being identified as a student with learning disabilities. School sociodemographic factors also associated with the proportion…

A solid, emerging research base exists on how to provide meaningful access to the general education curriculum for students with learning disabilities. This article uses examples from research in comprehension and writing to highlight the underlying features of these empirically based approaches. The importance of multiple teaching strategies is…

Synthesizes findings from 36 studies that validated the Dunn and Dunn Model of Learning-Style Preferences. Questions are raised regarding the validity of the model, the nature of the literature base, the interpretation of the meta-analytic findings, and the conclusions. The article concludes that the model has not been adequately validated.…

Following systematic training as peer coaches, six preservice general educators increased the frequency with which they engaged in relevant coaching interactions and improved the accuracy with which they implemented an innovative instructional strategy (Peabody Peer Assisted Learning Strategy) with three children with learning disabilities (ages…

This study examined how 14 Hispanic adolescents either with or without learning disabilities fared academically and socially during the transition from elementary to middle school. Students had been in a sixth grade consultation/collaboration inclusive classroom. Findings suggested that both groups of students experienced the transition similarly…

Provides suggestions on how to interweave data collected from authentic student writing samples (student or teacher portfolios) into classroom instructional planning and implementations. Shares practical hands-on ideas for teachers of students with learning disabilities and/or low achievers. Notes examples of student performance authentication…

Accommodations are test-administration changes that do not change the underlying construct being measured. The Individuals with Disabilities legislation and regulations provide little guidance on implementing assessment accommodations for students with learning disabilities. Certain research-based checklists or rating scales help link…

This article critiques the theoretical basis of the Fast ForWord program, a computer-assisted language intervention program for children with language-learning impairments. It notes undocumented treatment outcomes and questions the clinical methods associated with the procedures. Fifteen cautionary statements are provided that clinicians may want…