The increased accessibility of learning-disabled persons to higher education has created the need to address program development, student psychosocial growth, parent adjustment, and transitional needs. A new, federally funded (Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services) Master's Degree program has been developed to teach counselors and…

The article provides an overview of a special topical issue on information processing as it relates to learning disabilities. Components of information processing theory are described, a model of information processing is presented, and subsequent articles in the special issue are summarized. (JW)

A study examined teachers' and parents' ratings of 39 developmentally handicapped (DH) and 9 learning disabled children on the revised Vineland and the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale. Teachers rated children eligible for DH placement more frequently than parents. The adaptive behavior ratings of the two instruments differed significantly. (Author/CB)

Based on response categories of the Classroom Activity Recording Form, instructional behaviors of 30 teachers of mildly retarded and learning disabled elementary students (N=122) were used to predict reading achievement gain on the California Achievement Test. Time spent in teacher questioning was the single best predictor of achievement gain.…

The summative evaluation of a courseware program designed to assist in writing the lower-case alphabet is described to demonstrate the effectiveness of a field test for answering specific evaluation questions, collecting maximum evidence on which to base conclusions of instructional effectiveness, and being flexible enough for use in normal…

The first study investigates the validity of the Preschool Language Assessment Instrument as a diagnostic tool for differenciating the ability of language impaired preschoolers to use language to communicate complex ideas. The second study evaluates the relative effectiveness of two software environments that were expected to enhance children's…

The article identifies characteristics of children with moderate learning difficulties, relates these characteristics to features of educational technology, and lists strengths and weaknesses of computer assisted learning. The need for educational technology to compliment good teaching and not merely computerize outdated practices is stressed. (DB)

The article reports on a 1985 survey of state certification standards for learning disability teachers. A chart presents data by state under such headings as categorical endorsement, specific courses listed, the number of special education hours required, state-identified competency standards, and teacher exam. (DB)

Naturalistic observation techniques were used with 24 9- to 12-year-old learning disabled students to investigate two sets of variables that might influence achievement differences between computer-assisted instruction and seatwork: engagement rate and interactions with teachers and peers. Implications for research and microcomputer implementation…

Examines the ability of 30 normal and 30 learning disabled children across a three-year period to understand a sequence of instructions, communicate the steps in a sequence to others, and rephrase their verbal messages through a referential communication task. (HOD)

Normative data from 1300 (K-6) students and satisfactory psychometric data indicated a revised version (Classroom Adaptive Behavior Checklist) of the AAMD (American Association of Mental Deficiency) Adaptive Behavior Scale was valid in terms of test reliability, concurrent validity with another instrument, and discriminant validity between normal…

The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities encourages a Regular Education/Special Education Initiative as a system of integrated planning, delivery, and evaluation of the effects of services to disabled children. Specific recommendations regarding the development of pilot projects and competency training for school personnel, related…

This study examined the predictive validity of the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory with adolescents relative to each of the criterion measures representing communication satisfaction toward each parent and feelings toward each parent, and the differential validity of the self-esteem, communication satisfaction, and feelings toward each parent…

Explains six instructional components, based on a psycholinguistic view of reading, for teaching the adolescent disabled reader to read. (HOD)

Examined the role of various psychoeducational assessment devices in contributing to appropriate placement decisions for 30 emotionally handicapped, 30 learning disabled, and 30 educable mentally retarded students. Results showed that standardized tests plus teacher ratings were effective in predicting only the EMR group. (JAC)