This practicum addressed the problem of high school students with speech and language impairments not receiving available support services because of under-identification of this population. A 3-month multiple channel public relations campaign was designed and implemented to train high school teachers in the identification and referral process.…

This research analyzes similarities and differences in how students with disabilities are identified in national databases, through examination of 19 national data collection programs in the U.S. Departments of Education, Commerce, Justice, and Health and Human Services, as well as databases from the National Science Foundation. The study found…

This guide outlines the process of screening preschool-age children in North Dakota to determine their need for special education services. As mass screenings were found to lack cost-effectiveness, selective screening is encouraged. A periodic selective screening process, using a coordinated, interagency approach, is recommended for the earliest…

The article cites high costs associated with assessment and staffing of children classified as learning disabled. It is suggested that overreferral of hard-to-teach children perpetuates teaching deficiencies. Professional entrenchment is discussed, and placing a cap on the percentage of mild handicaps funded by state and federal governments is…

The Boder Test of Reading-Spelling Patterns is designed as an assessment of reading and spelling skills that allows specific diagnosis of the source and typology of reading problems. From a purely psychometric perspective, the BTRSP fails on virtually every characteristic examined. (BW)

The tests used in the identification of learning disabilitis and the extent of knowledge specialists have regarding the technical aspects of tests were assessed. All groups of specialists tended to overrate the tests they used, and generally indicated a lack of familiarity with the psychometric properties of commonly used tests. (Author/SW)

This digest reports on the very limited research that has focused specifically on early childhood issues in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health, development, and education. Extant research focuses primarily on infant mortality, birth weight and growth, obesity, and hearing and speech. Beginning in 1985, a longitudinal study called the…

This paper reviews issues surrounding the use of discrepancy in identifying learning disabilities. Since 1976, it argues, discrepancy has been the primary criterion for defining learning disabilities in practice. In a psychometric and statistical sense, however, issues about the best means for calculating a discrepancy remain problematic. Another…

This conference proceedings document includes an introduction, papers from all the presenters and respondents, and masters of the overheads used in the presentations. Three videotapes (with a total running time of approximately 4.5 hours) of all the symposium presentations are also included. Presentations include: "The Ecology of Human…

This digest discusses hearing loss in children. Topics covered include: (1) the causes of hearing loss and the three major types of hearing losses, conductive loss, sensorineural loss, and central auditory processing disorder; (2) the federal definitions of "deaf" (hearing loss which adversely affects educational performance and which is…

This final report describes major activities and outcomes of a one-year project in Birmingham, Alabama, which attempted to utilize quantitative record linkage methodology and a qualitative family interview to increase the available information regarding risk factors associated with special education placement for young children. The project…

This booklet provides basic background information on learning disabilities in order that the family and consumer sciences teacher can better understand the experiences of their students with learning disabilities. The following topics are discussed: (1) legislative initiatives affecting special populations; (2) characteristics of students with…

This report responds to Delaware state legislation requiring the development of proposed revised regulations for the classification of students as learning disabled (LD). The report first describes the current system, noting that in 1997 15 percent of the student population were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and over…

This paper was developed as a result of a 1999 conference on substance abuse and learning disabilities. An introductory chapter urges early identification of learning disabilities and appropriate treatment for both problems when they co-exist. The second chapter discusses the differences between learning disabilities and behavioral disorders, the…

This digest discusses the problem of overrepresentation of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in special education and provides examples of strategies created by researchers and practitioners to reduce overrepresentation. Strategies include: (1) promote family involvement and respect diverse backgrounds by taking time…