There is need for early group assessment aimed at prevention of learning disorders, specifically reading disorders. An estimated 15% of elementary and secondary school students are reported to be handicapped in the area of reading. Early screening and matching of the learning ability of children with instructional programs holds promise to…

The author objects to criticism of current programed language instruction (PLI) materials. In a "conventional FL (foreign language) class" of 120 class hours a year, the amount of time spent in active, immediately reinforced responding by any individual student would be less than 100 minutes. This is in contrast to the shortest PLI program (53…

This book represents an attempt to summarize those ideas, opinions, and facts that are influential in education and to compare and evaluate them on the basis of present-day knowledge and the author's personal experiences in the classroom. Part 1 examines the causes of learning difficulties, applications of neurophysiologic research, and the…

The effectiveness of a diagnostic teaching program in teaching reading to emotionally disturbed and socially maladjusted boys in two schools in New York City was investigated. The diagnostic teaching program specified behavioral objectives which fit the individual student, prescribed instructional styles for the teacher, and outlined techniques of…

The first of a four-part bibliography on young children with handicaps deals with emotional disturbance and specific learning disabilities. Citations were taken from "Research in Education" (January 1969--December 1972), the "Current Index to Journals in Education (January 1969--November 1972), and "Exceptional Child Education Abstracts." Most…

Researchers in the field of instruction are exploring the theory that different instructional procedures may be used for students with varying aptitudes so as to individualize teaching, so-called aptitude-treatment interactions (ATI's). This paper reviews pertinent literature, then seeks to develop theoretical models for the generation of…

Following up on the previous year's study of first graders, this report describes a study of intervention at the second grade level in 73 North York, Ontario, public schools. Post-test data from the end of the first grade year were used to identify 417 pupils in need of special assistance in second grade. Post-testing was conducted near the end of…

Children traditionally labeled learning disabled, mildly emotionally disturbed, and educable mentally retarded are considered within a behavioral rather than a categorical framework. (Author/SBH)

Reading comprehension was compared in 20 adult illiterates, 20 low-achieving students in grade two, and 21 low achievers in grade four. Results indicated similar processing difficulties in all three groups. Readers were weak in constructing meaning beyond a clause unit, and did not differentiate processing for narrative versus expository material.…

Describes the reading development of a child of average mental ability but with visual memory, auditory memory, and auditory discrimination problems. Concludes that instruction should be tailored to the child's level of development in order to maintain the child's positive attitudes and to progress in reading and writing achievement. (SRT)

Considers several factors that combine to hinder a learner in the task of second language acquisition, including barriers related to culture and society and the classroom environment. Appropriate teaching strategies for Spanish classes and research opportunities are also discussed. (CB)

Research on effective Chapter One programs shows that comprehensive classroom programs and intensive supplementary programs have the greatest potential for improving achievement of at-risk students. Proposes that part of the funding in Chapter One programing go to research. Includes five tables. (MD)

The closing address to the 1987 Forum on Deafness of the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf and the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf considers the future of deaf education and emphasizes the importance of change, lifelong learning, rehabilitation, and the persistence of language learning problems. (DB)

Examines the relationship between developmental placement as a result of preschool and kindergarten developmental testing and children's later cognitive achievement and social-emotional growth. A total of 223 children in Grades two through six were coded as traditional, overplaced, or "Buy a Year" depending on Gesell Screening Test…

The emerging population of learning disabled college students is presenting a new challenge to college professionals: admission officers, counselors, financial aid personnel, academic advisors, and professors. Learning disablities interfere with the ability to perceive, process, sort, store, or retrieve information regardless of level of…