The author suggests that controversies over defining learning disabilities (LD) have resulted from confusion between diagnosis and definition and from disagreement over the discrepancy issue. He further suggests that LD students are a subset of age- and ability-referenced underachievers. (CL)

A review of the literature regarding the utility of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) with learning disabled (LD) students was conducted. It is concluded that the WISC-R can be an adjunct to LD diagnosis and one step in educational planning for the LD student. (Author)

We respond to the comments of Batsche, Kavale, and Kovaleski (this issue), on Response To Intervention (RTI) and learning disabilities. Historically, discrepancy between IQ and achievement has been used by many as a criterion for identification of learning disabilities. Recently, RTI is considered as a practice for identifying consistent and…

State guidelines for 1981/82 and 1985/86 were compared to identify trends in definitions and methods used to diagnose learning disabilities (LD). The later guidelines tended to delineate specific achievement discrepancy criteria. However, major components of LD definitions were not altered and IQ cutoffs were not implemented. (Author/DB)

Results of recategorizing the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) subtest scores of 159 black learning disabled primary grade children into spatial, conceptual, and sequential scales as recommended by A. Bannatyne led to the conclusion that the diagnostic utility of the Bannatyne recategorization is questionable. (Author/DB)

Diagnostic procedures used to identify children (grades K-6) with learning disabilities in 14 school districts were studied and compared. Although some similarities existed between districts, uniformity was lacking in important areas such as test selection, extent of testing, and cutoff scores on intelligence and other tests. (Author/CL)

Though clinical judgement is necessary for appropriate diagnosis and provision of services to learning disabled children, such judgement must be based on objective evidence. A statistical procedure for applying the severe discrepancy criterion dictated in federal regulations is suggested for objectifying learning disability diagnosis. (Author/DB)

Comparison of psychometric profiles of learning disabled and non-LD students (total N=223) across LD status, district, and age variables indicated that only severity of academic underachievement consistently differentiated the LD and non-LD pupils. Comparison across districts revealed different LD profiles despite use of identitical eligibility…

Questionnaire data from 276 directors of special education and a review of state plans revealed variations in personnel on evaluation teams, variability in the number of evaluation team members among states, and an apparent reluctance on the part of states to require participation of parents or particular professionals on the multidisciplinary…

An analysis of errors in written language as indicators of communication disorders reviews problems with assumptions that writing and spelling are phonetically based. A six-stage model of written language reduction is proposed that helps to analyze and type errors according to such classifications as neuromuscular, phonographic, and duplication…

The author describes his model for determining severe discrepancy in children with learning disabilities (LD). The model stresses quality of data. The author also notes that the most highly trained personnel available should evaluate potential LD children. (CL)

Intended to provide information about learning disabled gifted students, the article discusses a rationale for providing enrichment activities within the framework of a program for the gifted. Identification strategies are discussed and program ideas using the enrichment triad model are offered. (Author/CL)

Scatter analysis among the Tests of Cognitive Ability for the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery was conducted on the performance of 3,566 Ss (grades one to 12) from the standardization sample. Examining scatter on the Tests of Cognitive Ability and identifying specific "types" of learning disabilities using this test are discouraged.…

The article presents a schemata for using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children to develop specific diagnosis and prescriptive programing for reading and learning disabled children. An educational program that focuses on the processing strength to formulate interventions that remediate the deficits through the preferred processing strategies…

The paper examines three models still considered useful in identifying achievement-aptitude discrepancies: the prediction model, true score regression model, and prescore partialling model. Data are cited to provide support for the regression model as the simplest to use and most efficient statistically. (Author/CL)