The position paper developed by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities stresses the need for systematic inservice programs for service providers. Deterrents cited to quality inservice programs include lack of planning and program availability. It is explained that the committee's recommendations were made after reviewing model…

A prereferral intervention system was implemented in three schools (two elementary, one junior high) in which consultation, observation, and intervention occurred before a student entered the typical referral-for-assessment phase. A survey assessing teachers' beliefs about special services and teachers' expectations and preferences about the…

The report summarizes research conducted by the Institute for Research on Learning Disabilities (IRLD) on issues in assessment and identification of learning disabled (LD) students. The initial chapter highlights major findings from IRLD research studies on five topics: (1) the nature of the identification/classification process, (2)…

Six years of studies on assessment and identification issues for learning disabled (LD) students are summarized, and implications for instructional intervention are noted. In chapter 1, findings on four topics are highlighted (sample findings in parentheses); instruction prior to referral (only about one-half of the school day is instructional…

The Special Education Department of the Omaha Public Schools implemented assessment classes for students identified as learning disabled. The classes offer the opportunity for in-depth evaluation of behavior in a variety of situations and with many different techniques and materials. Four critical elements of LD assessment classes include: the…

This digest defines learning disabilities, cites their prevalence, describes typical characteristics of learning-disabled students, outlines educational implications of learning disabilities, and lists several printed and organizational resources for further information. (JDD)

Sixty-eight learning disabled and reading disabled junior high school-aged youths participated in two experiments regarding use of spatial organizers to increase prose recall. In Experiment 1, learners were required to study either a spatially organized illustration or a randomized (list format) illustration prior to hearing a related prose…

The paper examines use of a children's revision of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB-CR) for three aspects of neuropsychologic assessment in children: the absence or presence of learning disability (LD), patterns in dysfunction, and rehabilitation potential and strategies. A review of research covers the use of the battery in the…

Actual and perceived social relations and teacher ratings of social competence in 20 learning disabled (LD) and 20 nonLD children (mean age 11 years) were investigated. A sociometric group included 200 nonLD children in classrooms attended by both groups. Children completed sociometric and social network questionnaires along with the Perceived…

Intended for regular classroom teachers with learning disabled children in their classes, the manual provides information and/or teaching ideas in 34 areas. Most sections are organized into three parts--examples of student behaviors, a discussion, and suggestions. Individual sections deal with the following areas: allergy, associative…

Barbara Jordan served as the hearing officer for three-day adversary evaluation hearings about the pros and cons of minimum competency testing (MCT). This report is the complete transcript of the third day of proceedings. The pro team testimony, led by James Popham, began with William Raspberry, who presented his view of the likely impact of MCT.…

To determine which elements of courseware are and are not effective in computer-based education, 59 learning disabled students were observed during a 5 1/2-month period using over 20 commercial courseware packages. Additional elements of the naturalistic study included interviews with teachers, students, and administrators; and analysis of the…

Unrecognized learning disabilities in adulthood can also be viewed as concepts fundamental to change. These disabilities may include: (1) not being able to make appropriate choices and decisions; (2) not utilizing strategies such as checking things out with people, and monitoring one's own performance; (3) not being able to transfer learning from…

The document describes the Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance Master's Degree Programs developed at Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. Fourteen prerequisite and program course requirements are described. Each course description includes: specific course objectives, a general course description, the competencies associated with the…

Twelve learning disabled (9-12 years old) boys were identified according to special class placement, WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised) and performance measures. A group demonstrating a verbal WISC-R deficit was sex- and age-matched with a normal group. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were collected while these individuals…