Interviews with 21 general education elementary school teachers found they were generally positive about cooperative learning's efficacy for students with learning problems, while acknowledging that it worked better for some students than others. Major benefits were improved self-esteem, a safe learning environment, and better classroom success…

An 18-item "Shortened Visuospatial Questionnaire" (SVS) was validated twice, first by verifying that children (ages 8-13) identified with the SVS questionnaire as having visuospatial learning disability (VSLD) (n=54) actually showed visuospatial deficits on psychometric evaluation, and second, by rating with the SVS a clinically identified…

The effects of instructional strategies on the academic performance of four children with learning disabilities were examined using brief multielement designs. Instructional strategies included follow along/sound out, verbal rehearsal, verbal outline, and rhyming words/sample spelling. Manipulation of the instructional strategies was useful in…

The use of cooperative learning to teach mathematics to students with learning disabilities is explored. Cooperative learning components are described, including lesson preparation, lesson instruction, and lesson evaluation. An example of using cooperative learning to teach mathematics is provided, along with a table of examples of cooperative…

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. Discusses the barriers to conducting intervention studies and methods for dissemination of the research findings. (DB)

Examines the influence that oral language deficits exert on children's ability to learn to read and to develop reading skills. Discusses evidence that points to deficient phonological awareness as the variable that best discriminates children with reading delay. The effects of deficit phonological awareness are described. (Author/CR)

Sixty students with specific learning disabilities in either reading and spelling (Group R-S) or arithmetic (Group A), as scored by the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery, were compared. Results (measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition) showed weaker nonverbal skills and more counseling among Group A…

The construct validity of the Category Test (W. C. Halstead, 1947) was studied for 308 adults with heterogeneous cognitive dysfunction. Factor analysis indicated that Category subtests load on three factors distinct from intelligence: (1) symbol recognition/counting; (2) spatial position reasoning; (3) and proportional reasoning. Clinical…

Describes methods used to analyze interviews conducted in the course of an action research project related to learning disabled students at two schools in London (England), and evaluates the accounts of curriculum development provided by the interviews in light of the accounts from the case study data. (SLD)

Discusses the case of an 8-year-old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, problem behavior, and good grades, who was denied eligibility for special education under IDEA's "other health impaired" clause and Section 504. The court "ducked" on the parent's second claim concerning level of services available under…

This paper discusses the results of two learning disabilities investigations conducted at the Yale Center: (1) research from longitudinal studies on the development of children not identified as having a disability and (2) neurobiological studies that employ functional magnetic resonance imaging. Other ongoing studies at the center are also…

Explores ways in which computer technology could be used to teach science to students with learning disabilities. Discusses the role of computer technology in individualizing the mode of delivery, developing expert tutors, anchoring instruction, integrating science with other subjects, reducing cognitive load on working memory, and motivating…

Examines the numerous misconceptions surrounding learning disabilities (LD). Addresses such mistaken views: those with multiple LDs should not consider college; LD is the same as mental retardation; colleges deny admission to applicants if they are unable to accommodate the LD; and individuals who receive accommodations have an unfair advantage.…

A study examined the effect of using graphic organizers (GOs) with 24 middle school students with learning disabilities to convey and cue relational knowledge. On written essays that required application, the GOs group provided significantly more relational knowledge statements than students in the group without GOs. (Contains references.)…

A 9-year-old with learning disabilities exhibiting speech and language delay was taught to illustrate his own picture prompt materials for learning basic sight words. Illustrating word meaning was first modeled for the participant. Subsequently, he illustrated the remaining target words. Rapid acquisition and retention of the target words…