Looks at schools that serve children whose problems in learning and behavior mark them as marginal students. Identifies "cultural imperatives" by observing curriculum domains emphasized in "special" and largely separate school programs. Notes that increasing numbers of special programs have become highly disjointed and inefficient in schools and…

Provides middle-school teachers with practical ideas for modifying the curriculum for at-risk students experiencing academic difficulty. Stresses strategies for information acquisition, information, and utilization and development of individual metacognitive skills, self-concepts, and academic independence. Methods include using verbal cues,…

Considers theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning science concepts and ways that such insights can be useful to science teachers in interpreting their pupils' difficulties. (Author/MKR)

Implementation of Britain's Further and Higher Education Act of 1992 raises some concerns about provision for adults with learning disabilities, such as loss of key coordinating positions and disappearance of marginalized programs. Closer links between colleges and adult education services are being developed to plan coherent programs. (SK)

Instead of espousing early intervention, schoolwide models, or general classroom aid, educators must develop more specialized programs treating the real problems of Chapter 1 students at different stages. Chapter 1 should not be used as general aid to replace local and state responsibility to improve schools, but should focus on helping…

The structure and power of certain reading, mathematics, and psychological tests prevent educators from really seeing children and how they think. Furthermore, the curriculum has been corrupted into nothing more than practice for the tests. Adults rarely ask children what their thinking was. This drill-and-kill approach reveals little truth about…

A systematic process for planning, implementing, and maintaining peer-tutoring interventions is presented. Academic and social benefits of peer tutoring are briefly documented. The process includes four components: planning, training, monitoring/evaluation, and problem solving. (DB)

Provides an overview of childhood leukemia. The causes, the survival period, different types (acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia), symptoms, treatment, side effects of treatment (including learning problems), and the expected future direction of…

Finds high correlations between word reading and nonword reading; and skill in word identification was almost inseparable from the phonologically analytic decoding process that is tapped by nonword reading. Notes differences in reading comprehension were closely associated with differences in decoding skill. (SC)

Interviews educational psychologist Dr. Sylvia Rimm about underachievers and underachievement syndrome. Discusses how parents and teachers can best help underachievers; societal messages about underachieving; girls and underachieving; the role of reading in underachievement; and other such topics. (SR)

Describes the changes in mathematics classrooms since the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards have been proposed and the difficulties those changes pose for students with reading and writing problems. Offers specific suggestions for preparing students for mainstreaming into regular math classes and for providing the supports…

Examines two myths about writing: good writing cannot be taught, and writing develops naturally. For each myth, alternative ways to achieve goals with students who find writing difficult are explored. Proposed instructional procedures focus on development of knowledge, skill, will, and self-regulation in writing. (Author/JDM)

Studies the role education curriculum and instructional practices have in contributing to students' academic difficulties because current school psychology services typically do not focus on them. Proposes that school psychologists direct more effort at ensuring implementation of effective instructional practices in general education, and…

Surveys 85 health care professionals on the learning difficulties of diabetic patients. Results show that educators find it easy to teach techniques: patients master procedures well and make few mistakes. In contrast, diabetic patients seem to have problems learning skills, such as insulin dose adjustment, that require complex problem-solving.…

Two studies compared the effectiveness of alphabet principle training only versus combined alphabet principle and syllable awareness training with at-risk spellers (grades 2 and 3). Differing results suggest use of a two-tier early intervention model in which first the alphabet principle is taught and applied and then the following year children…