The article details a rationale and procedures for assessing the mathematics learning environment of learning disabled students. Such assessment can include measures of the student's exposure to instruction, quality of curriculum and instruction, and the student's responses. Examples demonstrate assessment procedures and resulting instructional…

The concept of intelligence in current models of learning disabilities (medically based, perceptual processing, ability-achievement discrepancy, and alternative viewpoints) is addressed in general terms. Ability-achievement discrepancy models place the most emphasis on intelligence, but focus on intelligence test scores rather than on any…

Skilled teachers need to structure the instructional process for learning disabled students so that it builds confidence, reduces anxiety, encourages autonomy, and instills a sense of the delight of learning. (Author/DB)

Of 50 state special education directors, nearly 75 percent listed specific competency areas or courses considered unique to preparation of teachers of secondary learning disabled students. Fewer than 33 percent of the states felt that the needs of the adolescent and secondary programs were being addressed within the present required courses. (CL)

Nonhandicapped (N=126) and learning disabled (LD N=20) elementary grade students were interviewed regarding their knowledge and perception of the special education resource room. Both groups had similar perceptions; most non-LD students ranked the resource room as a desirable place; primary LD students perceived it less positively than…

A teacher of learning disabled students discusses use of the computer to free students from the constraints of their disability. Recommended are learner controlled utilities including word processing, data banks, and the LOGO programming language. (DB)

A teacher offers suggestions for the diagnosis of mathematical learning disabilities including differentiation of emotional problems from mathematical problems, specification of mathematical skills, and distinction between mathematical failure and procedural failure, failure resulting from the manner in which tests are administered. (DB)

Ten normal and ten learning disabled children were asked to provide strategies for hypothetical memory tasks and to evaluate those strategies subsequent to learning of the hypothetical outcomes. The groups did not differ in strategies selected but did differ in how they evaluated the effectiveness of the strategies used. (Author/DB)

The article looks at learning disabilities in adulthood in relation to theoretical models and research related to adult development (rather than as persistence of a childhood disorder into adulthood). Basic assumptions of a life span developmental approach and specific mediating variables influencing adaptation to life events are discussed.…

The article looks at the concept of discrepancy between ability and achievement in conceptualizations of learning disabilities. Comparison of ability and achievement scores found generally small average discrepancies, though some wide ranges were evident. Implications of the findings for current and future use of discrepancies as estimators of…

The study investigated whether learning-disabled (LD) boys (N=30) differed from nondisabled (NLD) boys in strategies and goals they independently formulate in interpersonal situations. Analysis of responses of boys (eight to nine and 11 to 13 years old) indicated that LD boys' goals were less sophisticated than those of NLD boys. (Author/DB)

The article reviews theoretical issues surrounding the concept of severe discrepancy in the diagnosis of learning disabilities. Components of discrepancy, including ability measures and achievement measures, are discussed. It is concluded that discrepancy is a necessary but not sufficient criterion in the identification of a learning disability.…

The Virginia State Supervisor for Learning Disabilities interviews Rose Sinicrope concerning the development of her finger subtraction strategy for use with learning-disabled students. Several examples of subtraction problems are illustrated to demonstrate the finger counting method, and this method is compared to the strategies of Chisanbop and…

Children in grades 3-6 labeled learning disabled, behaviorally disordered, and learning disabled with significant behavioral disorders (total N=78) were assessed for locus of control. Children labeled learning disabled were found to be significantly more internally controlled than children labeled behaviorally disordered or than children labeled…

A survey of 66 experts in learning disabilities (LD) found treatment maintenance, generalization, and assessment and remediation of academic problems ranked highest as research priorities. Analysis of two leading LD journals found current topics to include academic assessment and remediation, while ignoring generalization and maintenance of…