School psychologists are well served to stay up to date on trends in special education law, particularly with respect to determinations when school teams' decisions are challenged. This allows them to focus on proactive best practices that foster accurate specific learning disability (SLD) identification and active collaboration with parents. This…

After dropping steadily from 2000-2001 to 2013-2014, the percentage of students identified under the IDEA classification of specific learning disabilities (SLD) levelled off and increased slightly until the latest data available (2017-2018; NCES, 2019). Despite the recognition in the IDEA amendments of 2004 of response to intervention (RTI) as…

We review the evolution of the conceptualisation of dyslexia and along with it the current, 21st century definition of dyslexia. Our starting point is the seminal report by Pringle Morgan in 1896, followed by early 20th century reports by Hinshelwood, and continuing with concepts of brain injury and minimal brain dysfunctions then to the emergence…

There has been a long-standing history of segregation and exclusion of students with disabilities from receiving a quality education in public school districts throughout the country. In response to the growing outcry for equal opportunities for students with and without special needs, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act…

This article provides a concise and objective synthesis of the federal legislation, regulations, and agency policy interpretations; state laws; and case law, including hearing officer and complaint investigation decisions, concerning specific learning disability (SLD) identification since the 2006 IDEA regulations. The results reveal wide latitude…

Professionally, and ultimately legally, the definition of "specific learning disabilities" (SLD) has been "a long-standing source of controversy, conflict, and crisis." Yet students with SLD continue to be more numerous by far than any other group receiving special education services. The long-time controversy concerning the…

Touted as a more effective approach to determining eligibility for specific learning disability (SLD) than establishing a severe discrepancy between ability and achievement, response to intervention (RTI) represents various models that share these common characteristics: (a) multiple tiers of scientific, research-based interventions; (b)…

The authors explore federal learning disabilities (LD) guidelines, Wisconsin LD guidelines, and current educational research relating to approaches for teaching LD students. Two approaches are considered--the process-deficit approach and the task-analytic approach. (SBH)

Examines, from the perspective of the plaintiffs, the 1998 Guckenberger v. Boston University case in which the plaintiffs claimed the university failed to provide reasonable accommodations for students with learning disabilities. The authors view the complex decision as a ruling against the university under the Americans with Disabilities Act,…

The paper presents a summary of the two Michigan institutes on ways to implement P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the Michigan Special Education Statute for the assessment and identification of learning disabled (LD) students. Participant discussion is organized into the six areas of requirements for the federal…

North Carolina has educated children with disabilities in its public schools since 1949-50, but it was not until 1977 that the General Assembly passed a law which required the state's public schools to provide special education for all children with disabilities. This law is Article 9, Special Education, of the North Carolina General Statutes,…

This book focuses on three major legal issues involving individuals who have an attention deficit disorder or a specific learning disability: (1) documentation requirements to obtain benefits of federal and state laws; (2) ways that professionals can meet these requirements; and (3) confidentiality of the documenting information. The first two…

The report discusses preparing secondary teachers to work with learning disabled (LD) students, and describes a secondary teacher preparation program in learning disabilities at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aspects considered include the role of the secondary LD teacher, the period of adolescence, "survival"…

College personnel from a Special Services Program explain how parents, students, and school psychologists can best prepare high school seniors with disabilities for the transition to college. The difference between accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act versus Public Law 94-142 is highlighted with an emphasis on those needs which…

This document updates "Accommodations: Assisting Students with Disabilities. A Guide for Educators," published by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in 2003. This document is written to assist school district personnel and parents when making decisions about the use of accommodations by students with disabilities in instructional…