Examined Visual Aural Digit Span Test (VADS) and Bender-Gestalt (BG) scores as predictors of Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R) scores among 115 elementary school students referred for low academic achievement. Divided children into three age groups. Results suggest BG and VADS Test can be effective screening devices for young children…

Discusses the influence of feelings, motivations, and personal meanings on mathematical thinking and learning. Presents case studies of four adults who suffer from learning difficulties. (RJC)

A prototype expert system for the diagnosis of elementary students experiencing educational problems is described. After input of initial data, the system provides guidance on what further information might be sought and/or what remedial activities might be beneficial. The system includes databases of tests and remedial materials and strategies.…

This article explains four teacher-developed mnemonic learning strategies--one for learning the steps of long division, one to teach decision making, one for developing homework skills, and one for preparing and giving a speech. (DB)

This study demonstrated that a columnar notetaking strategy was an effective way for secondary teachers to help 198 heterogeneous students abstract the main ideas, special terms, and facts from textbooks. The treatment involved a diagnostic-prescriptive approach to placing students with learning disabilities, remedial students, and nondisabled…

Comparison of high-risk, low-risk, and learning-disabled high school students' foreign language performance found clear evidence of significant differences in the foreign language learning potential of low- and high-risk students and striking similarities between high-risk and learning-disabled students regarding foreign language learning…

Five potential complications of being gifted include: a sophisticated ability to evaluate one's own performance; a tendency to search for ordered complexity; the possible presence of specific learning difficulties; incompatibility of intellectual and emotional developmental levels; and a relative lack of experience of failure. (DB)

It is argued that science's reputation as a "hard" subject can be attributed to four intrinsic features of science and/or learners. The reasons for a link between abstraction and difficulty are briefly explored. It is suggested that certain extrinsic features of science education, resulting from choices by science educators, exacerbate these…

This article addresses the continuity from early speech-language delays to later learning problems in school and recommends use of "language organization disorder" to describe the delay. Chronologies of the difficulties and methods for early detection are provided. A table summarizes 11 research studies on early language delays and later reading…

Using a theoretical model of foreign language anxiety, this study of 96 college students of Japanese examines how language anxiety is related to Japanese language learning. Results suggest factors other than test anxiety, e.g., speech anxiety, fear of failing, and negative attitudes toward the class. A questionnaire is included. (Contains 63…

This study examined how reinforcer rate, quality, delay, and response effort combined to influence the choices of six adolescents with emotional disturbance and learning difficulties and the feasibility of an assessment methodology based on matching theory for determining differential responsiveness to reinforcer and response dimensions. Results…

Describes a service model developed by the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, for ensuring the accurate exchange of information so that children will get the specific help they need for their situation either in or outside of the school The model is based on a process of observation, referral, evaluation, diagnosis, service, review, and evaluation.…

A framework is presented for implementing standardized achievement testing. Fundamental concepts and formats of the tests are reviewed, and useful references are listed. Standardized tests are considered and categorized in terms of administration format, functions, validity, and type (cognitive versus noncognitive). Thirteen basic recommendations…

A format is suggested for testing using free association techniques. In this system, students are given key words or phrases and asked to relate as much relevant information as they can. Scoring techniques, strengths, and weaknesses of such open-ended approaches are discussed, along with possible suggestions for implementation. (PB)

The results of this case study of a 15-year-old dropout indicate the potential usefulness of incorporating process mnemonics, particularly in the form of allegorical characterizations and stories, within mathematical instructional strategies for the learning disabled. (15 references) (JJK)