For preschool children, ages 3 through 5, four major purposes for gathering assessment information are: identification, diagnostic evaluation, program planning, and progress monitoring. This article describes key considerations for each purpose, focusing on the instruments used to collect assessment information. Strengths and concerns of…

Children referred for evaluation of learning impairment (n=100) and 243 typical children were evaluated on a visual filtering task. With each additional processing demand, response times increased disproportionately for children with learning impairments. Overall response time predicted academic skills and cognitive ability, but was more strongly…

A study compared 84 readers with learning disabilities, chronologically age-matched and reading level-matched, for the children's working memory performance for phonological, visual-spatial, and semantic information under initial, gain, and maintenance conditions. The working memory deficits of readers with learning disabilities were hard to…

A survey of postsecondary institutions (N=147) assessed support services, procedures, policies, and the proportions of students with learning disabilities (LD). Findings indicated .5% to almost 10% of students with LD. Factors affecting this group included size of the student body, type of institution, the institution's Carnegie classification,…

The "Failure-free" Reading Program was evaluated with 39 students (ages 8 to 12) with severe reading problems. The program involves previewing, listening, content presentation, reading, and reviewing. Improved performance in letter-word identification, word attack, comprehension, and dictation was evident after the intensive intervention.…

This article argues that the regression-based discrepancy method used in the diagnosis of learning disabilities is invalid because it is inconsistent with the underlying underachievement concept of which it is intended to be the operationalization. It is mathematically demonstrated that the regression-based discrepancy method largely reflects…

This article evaluates conclusions in Van den Broeck's article (2002) that argue the regression-based discrepancy method (RDM) used in learning disabilities diagnosis is invalid because it is inconsistent with the underlying underachievement concept of which it is intended to be the operationalization. It concludes acceptable models support the…

This article responds to a critique by Willson and Reynolds (2002) that argued for the use of the regression-based discrepancy method (RDM) for identifying learning disabilities. It argues the statistical and theoretical counterarguments are based on a misreading of the statistical models presented. (Contains 8 references.) (Author/CR)

A study of the semantic processing abilities of undergraduates with learning disabilities (LD) (n=11) and controls (n=11) found no significant differences on the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding; however, students with learning disabilities demonstrated a significantly greater number of delayed responses. Students with LD also showed delays…

Noting the high incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in programs for children with emotional disturbances or learning disabilities, this article reviews evidence that comorbid diagnoses affect outcomes differentially and that psychopharmacologic treatments may be superior to behavioral interventions, depending on this…

This article describes the PROVE strategy, which provides students with learning disabilities with a procedure for naming a concept, providing evidence (both why and how), and defending it. Research results are presented that indicate students with (n=12) and without (n=26) disabilities benefited from the PROVE strategy. (Contains references.) (CR)

Synthesis of 16 observation studies of reading instruction for students with learning disabilities and/or emotional/behavioral disorders concluded that: (1) substantial time was allocated to reading instruction, especially in special education settings; (2) the quality of reading instruction was low; and (3) independent seatwork and worksheets…

The benefits of a self-regulated strategy development approach for teaching elementary school students with learning disabilities how to write opinion essays are discussed, and the steps of the POW plus TREE strategy of instruction are outlined: develop background knowledge, discuss, model, memorize, support it, and perform independently.…

Presents a case that demonstrates why general educators must be knowledgeable about and involved in the individual education plan for a student with a disability. Describes new regulations in individual education plan processes. Concludes that the overall intent of the changes is to bring special educators and regular educators together for the…

Poor readers who met low achievement and IQ-discrepancy definitions of reading disability (n=54) were compared with non-impaired readers (n=325) on development of eight precursor and reading-related skills. Results indicate no evidence for differences between the two groups of poor readers in the development on the eight skills, with three…