A study investigated ways that each of the 50 states serve preschool children (ages 3-5) with specific learning disabilities (SLD), the impact of the preschool-specific/noncategorical label, and the quantitative criteria used for eligibility. Although all states reported that preschoolers with SLD could receive services, different eligibility…

Recent efforts of parents, education experts, and Congress to expand the definition of handicapped children (under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) to include attention deficit disorder victims failed when the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People intervened on behalf of Black children, already…

Reviews definitional issues of learning disabilities in the context of the Guckenberger v. Boston University federal lawsuit. Four major questions are addressed: (1) Who is learning disabled?; (2) How should learning disabilities be assessed?; (3) Who is qualified to decide whether or not an individual has a learning disability?; and (4) What…

This article reviews topics concerning the transition of students with learning disabilities into the work setting, including: definition of learning disabilities, relevant federal legislation, importance of transition planning, "best practices" in transition planning and programming, special problems in working with students who have learning…

Knowledgeable persons within the field frequently criticize definitions of "learning disabilities" for the choice of vocabulary, phrasing and implied ideas. Although there may never be a universally accepted definition, a definition that reflects current research is used in this article to make evident some of the cognitive and…

Presented in the third of four papers on Project SCREEN, an Illinois program to identify and remediate learning disabilities, are results of an in-depth study of services provided by five special education cooperatives (consisting of two or more school districts). (DB)

Examined were the characteristics of over 3000 children (median age 8 years 10 months) enrolled in Child Service Demonstration Centers for Learning Disabilities in 21 states. (Author/DB)

The report to Congress comprises a description of the current research findings on the definition, associated characteristics, diagnosis, prognosis, prevalence, causes, and treatment of developmental language disorders. Each section both reviews current literature and notes research as well as clinical needs, as related to issues of prevention.…

The manual sets forth New York state guidelines for referring and evaluating children suspected of having a learning disability (LD). Definitional issues comprise the first section, followed by sample characteristics of students with learning disabilities. Procedures for referrals are outlined. Placement decisions and decisions about services are…

The manual provides guidelines for Georgia teachers of children with specific learning disabilities. Sections focus on six major topics (sample subtopics in parentheses): definitions; eligibility criteria; due process (placement, confidentiality, exit criteria); program organization (delivery model, inservice education); instructional programs…

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…

This paper discusses the definition of learning disability through the concept of early identification of vulnerable children, based on a study of 650 inner-city preschool children. While the study's first step, scanning, identified the children who were vulnerable to learning disability, the second step, diagnosis, attempted to find the reasons…

The characteristics of the approximately 2,800 children (in 21 states) enrolled in 24 child service demonstration centers for the learning disabled were evaluated. Focused on were questions such as ages of children, intellectual level, sex distribution, and methods used for the delivery of services. Among findings were that the median IQ was 93;…

Reviewed is research on the role of attentional dificits in the inferior school-related performances of mild-to-moderate learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded children. (Author/DB)

The article reviews statistical and psychometric issues associated with the severe discrepancy definition of learning disabilities used in Public Law 94-142. It is proposed that these issues should not drive the psychological theory of learning disabilities and should be replaced by constructs firmly grounded in psychological theories of learning.…