This study explored variables differentiating more and less effective teachers (N=24) of mildly retarded and learning-disabled elementary students. Personal/educational variables proved insignificant. Effective teachers conducted activities in the classroom, made frequent use of teacher questioning, limited independent seatwork (especially silent…

The traditional approach toward teaching spelling was compared with a copy, cover, and compare approach for 9 special education (learning-disabled) students in grades 4, 5, and 6. Spelling performance improved in the copy, cover, compare condition; and students preferred this approach. (SLD)

The article describes typical conceptual problems that limit adolescents and young adults with learning disabilities in their efforts to become financially responsible. In a case study format, five money management problems are presented and resolved, including organizing financial records, budgeting, reconciling bank statements, and dividing…

Gifted students may exhibit a deficit in ability to follow a sequence of verbal instructions, termed Cognition of SeMantic Systems (CMS). Three types of low-CMS students are described, and counseling strategies are outlined. Achievement of academic success and emotional health calls for teachers to build students' self-esteem and be patient. (JDD)

The article reviews recent theoretical and empirical research related to the role of communication in effective strategy training for instilling stable and general cognitive strategic skills in learning disabled students. Among implications discussed is the need for increased focus on the interactional dynamics of the strategy training situation…

The progress of 138 elementary students with specific learning disabilities was followed as they were instructed using the Alphabetic Phonics curriculum. After 3 years, the curriculum produced significant progress in reading comprehension for average and above average students, though below average students did not advance substantially in…

Nine British Further Education colleges serving individuals with severe learning difficulties were surveyed concerning design and content of language curricula, teaching methods, and assessment. The courses offered aimed to improve communication skills, students' independence, and social competence. Further work is recommended to link these aims…

Presented is an introduction to laser videodisc technology, covering both hardware and courseware considerations and technological applications to special education. Described is the application of videodisc courseware to the teaching of fractions, and results of a successful program to teach fractions to eight mainstreamed students with learning…

A study used systematic classroom observation to describe pupil behavior and pupil-teacher and pupil-peer interaction in four classrooms in schools for children with moderate learning disabilities. Results are compared with a previous study of mainstream elementary classrooms. (MSE)

A semantic mapping heuristic is presented which provides an instructional strategy for teaching notetaking, recognizing main ideas and pertinent details, and sorting and organizing them into a report. The strategy enables learning-disabled students to read independently about a topic and subsequently write a report, thus establishing a…

Junior high school students (n=72) with learning disabilities received direct instruction in cognitive strategies, instruction in metacognitive activities, or both. Students improved in mathematical word problem performance and compared well with normally achieving peers. Discussion focuses on the treatment effects and maintenance and the issue of…

Middle school students with learning disabilities were successfully taught the COPS monitoring strategy to revise and correct writing mistakes. Steps in the strategy include capitalization of appropriate letters, overall appearance of paper, punctuation used correctly, and spelling accuracy. (JDD)

Study examined an intervention that offered teachers transactional strategies for helping delayed adolescent readers actively approach reading. Experimental teachers received peer support, completed self-evaluative workshops, and used strategic reading techniques with students. Videotaped pre- and posttest reading sessions showed experimental…

Four fifth and sixth grade students with learning disabilities were taught a strategy for comprehending word problems and devising appropriate solutions. Following instruction performance on mixed sets of addition and subtraction word problems improved. Although generalization to a different setting occurred, maintenance was mixed. (Author/DB)

This response to Englert's article (EC 602 935) on sociocultural factors in teaching writing to students with learning disabilities addresses the application of social constructivist theory. It notes that the success of the Cognitive Strategy Instruction in Writing program may be not only attributable to its holistic social emphasis but also to…