A program was developed for improving the reading abilities and student attitudes toward reading of kindergarten- through third-grade learning-disabled students in a northwest suburban elementary school community, located in northern Illinois. The problem was originally observed by the teaching staff who found students lacking in prerequisite…

In July 1990, "Standards, Policies and Procedures for the Evaluation of Assessment Instruments Used in the California Community Colleges" was published, requiring colleges to determine whether current testing practices discriminate against members of underrepresented groups. The standard for demonstrating disproportionate impact comes…

Teachers' perceptions of student behaviors were examined to explain teachers' attitudes toward their students with and without learning handicaps. The study involved 44 intermediate-grade teachers who had students with learning handicaps and nonhandicapped students in their classrooms. Teachers' attitudes were measured with a four-question survey,…

This annotated bibliography focuses on issues of self-esteem in adolescents with disabilities, which is seen as closely related to development of critical social skills. References have been drawn from the National Center for Youth with Disabilities' National Resource Library, a database about youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The…

A study examined the effects of a teacher development model designed to provide in-service special education teachers with collaborative transactional strategies for helping severely reading-delayed adolescents take a more active approach to understanding informational texts. The experimental group consisted of nine teachers and their students…

This paper discusses the application of the Montessori method as an intervention for children at risk for learning disabilities. A review of the literature provides background information about the philosophy and history of Montessori methods, and considerations relevant to at-risk children. Described are techniques of the Montessori method,…

This article identifies challenges to the field of learning disabilities which will seriously affect access to higher education for learning disabled students. Problems at both secondary and postsecondary levels are articulated with a call for policy formulation, research, and administrative planning for change. Literature is reviewed pertaining…

A questionnaire with demographic questions and questions concerning learning disability (LD) assessment and placement practices was developed and sent to all 341 practicing school psychologists in Minnesota. Focus was on determining: the school psychologist's role in the assessment and reevaluation of students referred for LD placement, the…

This handbook contains advice for the teacher in diagnosing dyslexia and developing an individualized program for overcoming severe reading problems. Observable characteristics of dyslexia are listed as an aid to the teacher's diagnosis, but it is emphasized that cooperation between the teacher and a reading specialist is of great importance in…

This paper examines the neurobiology of fluid cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex and considers learning disability as a specific example of a group of developmental disorders characterized by fluid skills impairment in the presence of crystallized intelligence in the normal range. Research indicating fluid cognitive impairments in…

Increasing numbers of capable learning disabled students are attempting to make the difficult transition from high school to postsecondary programming. A comprehensive approach to better serve the college-bound learning disabled high school student includes early transition planning, instructional programming, social skills intervention, and…

The project described in this report sought to develop a program whereby adolescents with learning disabilities could increase their skills to successfully cope with the transitions inherent in moving to adulthood. The program, termed the "Life-planning Program," consists of a series of activities designed to: (1) orient the student…

This bibliography of 185 books, journal articles, government and private agency reports, literature reviews, and conference papers was prepared for the "At-Risk" Task Force of the American Council on Rural Special Education. The general problem is one of children and youth who are placed, by the actions of self or others, in situations where they…

This paper discusses ideas for teachers to increase successful comprehension of their questions by language delayed students. Three kinds of questioning techniques are described. Most often used by teachers are "WH-words" (e.g., who, what, how). Noun-verb reversal (e.g., Can you come to the group?) follows in amount of usage. The least used…