An ethnographic study is reported using participant and nonparticipant observations, interviews, and analysis of school files on 77 Hmong students to probe factors affecting tendencies to incorrectly label Hmong students as learning disabled. Case studies are discussed in the context of Hmong history, refugees' experiences, and language factors.…

Examines ramifications of special class placement on the self-concept of learning-disabled children. Results reveal a strong link between learning disabilities and low self-concept. Three kinds of effects of special class placement on self-concept and certain sex differences are indicated. (Author/BB)

The Alternative Learners Project of College Misericordia (Pennsylvania) assisted nine high schools in preparing students with learning disabilities for college. The project involved school staff training; school site visits; and a four-year program of student activities in self-awareness, career awareness, assessment, planning, programming, parent…

Reports on 2 studies of 48 eighth-grade students in which mnemonic devices and strategies were employed. Finds that both regular and learning-disabled students preferred mnemonic instruction to traditional teaching methods. Concludes that mnemonic methods can help improve student learning of historical information. (CFR)

A study examined early indicators of school adjustment and conduct problems, comparing the risk and resiliency characteristics of Latino elementary students who were typical (n=66), at-risk (n=77), had learning disabilities (n=18), and speech impairments (n=8). At-risk students showed lower grades, fewer study and social skills, and more problem…

Review of 180 intervention studies identified instructional components that best predicted effect sizes for students with learning disabilities. These included sequencing, drill-repetition-practice feedback, segmentation of information, technology (structure-presentation medium), controlling task difficulty (e.g., scaffolding), modeling…

Examines how learning-support resources are allocated to Scottish secondary schools, drawing on data from an Edinburgh education authority. Although a rationale for allocating resources based on socioeconomic indices can be constructed, basing decisions on a combination of standardized attainment tests and special-needs audits is preferable.…

This article describes the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, an assessment instrument designed to assess the phonological processing skills of individuals between the ages of 5 and 24.11 years and to identify those with phonological processing difficulties. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and validity are discussed.…

A study examined responses of 97 California teachers and 59 Guatemalan teachers to vignettes describing boys with and without learning disabilities (LD) who had failed a test. Guatemalan teachers felt more pity and less anger for boys with LD. Both groups provided more rewards to boys expending high effort levels. (Contains references.) (CR)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a four-step phonological awareness strategy on the reading skills of nine third-grade students with learning disabilities or educable mental retardation. Results indicated students made substantial improvement on measures of blending and segmenting sounds, pronouncing words, auditory discrimination, and…

Outlines what it means to be "learning disabled" and presents a number of symptoms of learning disabilities. Suggests means by which social studies teachers can reach learning disabled students and help them to learn, including alternative assignments, guided notes, unit organizers, cooperative learning, and active response activities. (DSK)

The patterns of cognitive play of 28 African-American and Euro-American preschool children with intellectual disabilities are reported. Fourteen children representing each group, matched on developmental age and family variables, were observed playing independently at home. The pattern of African-American children's play was more reflective of…

This study of 20 sixth- and seventh-grade students with learning disabilities receiving social studies instruction found that prelesson learning set activities (including interactive review of previous instruction, statements of lesson objectives and expectations, and discussion of the lesson's importance) resulted in significantly better…

Examination of the prevalence of substance use among low socioeconomic status elementary and middle school Mexican American students identified with (n=150) or without (n=150) learning disabilities found no difference in substance abuse rate between the two groups. Risk factors for LD students included susceptibility to peer influence and…

Schools can reduce special-education and remedial instruction costs by helping students succeed in early grades. This article profiles several prevention and early intervention programs, including Success for All, Reading Recovery, Prevention of Learning Disabilities, the Carolina Abecedarian Project, Comer's School Development Program, and…