The paper examines the problem of auditory figure ground confusion, usually indicated by distractibility, inability to follow directions, and/or inability to comprehend word meanings. A practicum was designed to teach kindergarten and first grade teachers to alleviate the auditory figure-ground disability. Author-produced cassette tapes…

Four studies were conducted examining aspects of the social-emotional development of learning disabled elementary and secondary aged individuals. Results of the studies showed that learning disabled (LD) Ss had significantly lower self-concepts than non-learning disabled (NLD) subjects, but did not show significantly greater discrepancy between…

The paper describes an approach to developing systematic procedures for identifying handicapped children that leads to rational decisions regarding placement. An expert system is described which involves the user in a dialogue on data regarding individual children; this dialogue is similar in many ways to a consultation with an expert. After…

The growing move to reintegrate special education within the general education system forms the background and rationale for this paper's proposals. Discussion includes the suggestion that general education students can benefit from explicit instruction in learning strategies which have been primarily used with only learning disabled students.…

The report summarizes evaluation findings on the Learning Centre, a research and demonstration centre of the Calgary Society for Students with Learning Difficulties. The report addresses evaluation of formal research projects (on such topics as instrumental enrichment with low achieving adolescents); pilot projects (such as an animation film…

The paper presents four learning strategy techniques--the SQ3R method of study, the Multipass Strategy, the Advanced Study Guide Technique, and Cognitive Mapping--for use with secondary level learning disabled students. The SQ3R method involves the five steps of survey, question, read, recite, and review. An adaption of the SQ3R method, the…

The study compared the language development of 72 learning disabled (LD) and 72 normal students at intermediate and secondary age levels (9-12 and 12-15 years of age). Ss were asked to respond to questions after viewing two films, and oral language samples were tape recorded and analyzed to examine syntactic and vocabulary development. Results…

The study investigated whether the pre-arrangement of math facts in spaced repetitions redundancy would increase the acquisition rate of a second grader with poor mathematics achievement. Baseline data were provided by observation of in-class math performance of addition sums zero through 18. In the experimental phase, worksheet problems were…

Because the results of one study concluded that 23% of the male participants and 11.5% of the female participants in the federally funded Job Corps program demonstrated a genuine learning disability (LD), an identification and intervention program was initiated in one Center during 1980. Identification procedures included the Job Corps screening…

The position paper developed by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities stresses the need for systematic inservice programs for service providers. Deterrents cited to quality inservice programs include lack of planning and program availability. It is explained that the committee's recommendations were made after reviewing model…

A prereferral intervention system was implemented in three schools (two elementary, one junior high) in which consultation, observation, and intervention occurred before a student entered the typical referral-for-assessment phase. A survey assessing teachers' beliefs about special services and teachers' expectations and preferences about the…

The report summarizes research conducted by the Institute for Research on Learning Disabilities (IRLD) on issues in assessment and identification of learning disabled (LD) students. The initial chapter highlights major findings from IRLD research studies on five topics: (1) the nature of the identification/classification process, (2)…

Six years of studies on assessment and identification issues for learning disabled (LD) students are summarized, and implications for instructional intervention are noted. In chapter 1, findings on four topics are highlighted (sample findings in parentheses); instruction prior to referral (only about one-half of the school day is instructional…

The Special Education Department of the Omaha Public Schools implemented assessment classes for students identified as learning disabled. The classes offer the opportunity for in-depth evaluation of behavior in a variety of situations and with many different techniques and materials. Four critical elements of LD assessment classes include: the…

This digest defines learning disabilities, cites their prevalence, describes typical characteristics of learning-disabled students, outlines educational implications of learning disabilities, and lists several printed and organizational resources for further information. (JDD)