Special education is under fire from within and without. Full inclusionists and detracking advocates want to abolish all "separatist" special education settings and "unjust" disability categories, tests, and placements; politicians and school administrators deplore special education's high costs. However, mainstreaming efficacy…

This review of 38 studies on spelling interventions designed for students with learning disabilities who are poor spellers found that nearly all "systematic" techniques can be effectively employed. Study interventions consisted of four types: instructional procedures (such as imitation modeling and analogy training), computer-assisted instruction,…

In a simulation, the lesioning of a connectionist model that maps orthographic inputs onto semantic features produces several counterintuitive behaviors that are also shown by acquired-dyslexic patients. The similarity strengthens the suggestion that the connectionist approach captures a key aspect of human cognitive processing. (SLD)

This study examined whether Texas students who are gifted and learning disabled are being identified for gifted programs. Survey results from gifted program coordinators (n=386) showed that few school districts (n=75) selected gifted children with learning disabilities for gifted programs. Fewer districts reported identification of these students…

Discusses the application of the Montessori method to the education of children with disabilities, focusing on various disabilities and techniques that can be used with all special-needs children and Maria Montessori's work with children with disabilities. (MDM)

This study examined the effectiveness of matching 82 secondary students (learning disabled, remedial, and nondisabled) to differential levels of study guides. The study evaluated two treatment conditions (multilevel study guides containing different levels of referential cues, and single-level study guides without referential cues), used in…

Computer application of Curriculum-Based Measurement is presented as a methodology capable of linking student performance and instructional decision making. A case study with a fifth grade learning-disabled student and mathematics illustrates how CBM with computerized feedback systems can be used to systematically implement effective teaching…

This article presents strategies, including communicative reading strategies, to facilitate holistic language learning in young children with language and learning disorders. Strategies include pairing oral and written language and using preparatory sets, semantic maps, flowcharts, and theme building. An example of narrative discourse demonstrates…

Two groups of children (n=107, ages 6-14) who had recovered from meningitis were compared. Children who had sustained neurologic complications during their illness had a lower mean Performance Intelligence Quotient and performed less well on perceptually demanding neuropsychological tasks than did "uncomplicated" children. (Author/JDD)

This study examined the perceptions of 109 faculty, 46 university students with learning disabilities (LD), and 194 non-LD students regarding sensitivity to LD students' special needs, accommodations, and the perceived impact of such a disability. Results revealed a general sensitivity to students' special needs, and several areas warranting…

This introduction to four papers (EC 604 277-280) notes the increasing literature focus on adults with learning disabilities, describes adult development models and their application, outlines six life domains that provide a framework for examining successful adjustment of young adults with learning disabilities, and examines transition planning…

Minilessons on two writing skills (use of adverbial phrases and possessives) were taught during whole group instruction in mainstream settings which included four sixth grade students with learning disabilities. Increases in the taught skills for three of the four students suggested the effectiveness of the minilesson approach. (DB)

Examined effects of counseling program to promote career maturity among youth with learning disabilities and other youth at risk of becoming dropouts. First study involved low-achieving students in integrated career program; second used adolescents with learning disabilities. In both studies, students in intervention condition, in contrast to…

Surveys educational consultants, psychologists, and teachers to determine levels of agreement and disagreement on the types of information which are necessary in eligibility decisions for students with learning disabilities. Finds general disagreement over the types of information on which eligibility decisions are based. Discusses implications of…

Because of the importance of problem-solving skills in mathematics instruction of children with learning disabilities, this article offers guidance on teaching heuristic global strategies, including use of analogy, annotating problems, detail analysis, deletion of details, detail sorting, symbolizing operations, and designating formulas. (DB)