Observation of seven resource teachers of learning disabled and educable mentally disabled students revealed that four teacher behaviors had a substantial impact on task involvement: teacher positioning, effective surveillance, provision of consequences for task involvement, and management of transition times. (CL)

Opposing views regarding the connection between lead exposure and cognitive impairment are presented. C. B. Ernhart states that no study has yet proved that low-level lead exposure is detrimental to child development, while H. L. Needleman asserts that previous research studies have proven conclusively that such a connection exists. (CB)

The paper questions whether the school consultation model which provides services to learning disabled students has a sound theoretical base. Included are an examination of 10 different models of consultation and their relationship to theory and a review of studies on facilitating the mainstreaming of learning disabled and other low achieving…

Results of administering a self concept measure to 24 learning disabled/gifted children (aged 8 to 12) as well as a student behavior measure to parents and teachers showed lower self concepts in the disabled children than in controls and significant relationships between self concept and hyperactive/asocial behaviors. (DB)

More than five years of research offers little evidence that students who attend federally funded remedial and learning disabled reading programs improve their reading skills. The three assumptions underlying these programs are discussed. Ways teachers and schools can evaluate their programs are listed. (MT)

The paper presents an intervention framework for the management of communication disorders in learning disabled children. The model is comprised of three components: communicative intentions, presupposition, and the social organization of discourse. Resulting instructional guidelines and principles are offered. (Author/DB)

Using two modes of production, writing and dictation, the study compared the story production, coherence, and fluency of learning-disabled (LD) children (N=47) with that of normal-achieving and low-achieving subjects across three grade levels. Among results were that mode of production had no effect upon story production or fluency for any…

In response to two papers decrying reductionism and advocating holistic constructivism in models of learning disabilities, the article claims that the behavioral paradigm, unlike the holistic paradigm, has provided a validated and documented instructional methodology. (DB)

In response to a previous article, the paper suggests it is unrealistic to expect one theory or even multiple theories within one paradigm to explain learning disabilities. The emphasis on reaching a consensus regarding theory or paradigm is seen as unproductive. (DB)

Examined records of 170 learning-disabled students to determine stability of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) test scores. WISC-R was readministered three years later to 150 subjects. Stability coefficients were .72, .70, and .74 for Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale Intelligence Quotient scores. Results suggest WISC-R…

Based on a three-stage model of memory coding, comparisons were made between reading ability groups on their serial recall of pictorial information. Article describes three different experiments. (RB)

Examined the concurrent validity of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Childen (K-ABC) with 47 students referred for learning difficulties. Data analysis indicated that the K-ABC Achievement global scale was the only significant predictor of the PPVT-R. Implications for practitioners are…

Examination of the expository writing of 36 learning-disabled (LD), 36 nondisabled (matched in intelligence quotient and reading ability), and 36 normally-achieving nondisabled elementary school students indicated both grade- and group-related differences, with LD students producing more errors than low achieving nondisabled students, who produced…

State guidelines for 1981/82 and 1985/86 were compared to identify trends in definitions and methods used to diagnose learning disabilities (LD). The later guidelines tended to delineate specific achievement discrepancy criteria. However, major components of LD definitions were not altered and IQ cutoffs were not implemented. (Author/DB)

A new computer assisted instructional program designed to increase decoding fluency in reading was evaluated for use with 20 learning disabled elementary grade children. After 10 weeks of daily 15-minute practice sessions, subjects showed substantial improvement on words practiced, words never practiced, and reading speed and accuracy. (Author/DB)