Analysis of the sociometric ratings and status of 50 elementary school students with learning disabilities and 50 nonhandicapped elementary school students (in matched pairs) indicated that the pairs did not differ significantly in assigned status to their peers but did differ significantly in acceptance and rejection received from their shared…

Explored the overall performance of 36 learning disabled (LD) and 40 educable mentally handicapped (EMH) students both before and after modifying the minimum competency test (MCT). Administered the Instructional Objectives Exchange Basic Skill Test: Reading, secondary level to secondary school special education students. Results indicated that LD…

The article identifies specific problems in writing experienced by students with learning disabilities and offers remedial strategies. Considered are problems in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. An example of a case study to identify errors in writing mechanics is also offered. (DB)

Defines learning disabilities and delineates characteristics of learning disabled students. Outlines steps to be taken by college geography departments for students who enroll in introductory-level geography classes. (SLM)

This study examined repair strategies used by boys with language impairments, in response to clarification requests following conversational breakdowns. Five subjects, aged four-five, were compared with five age-matched controls and five controls matched for verbal competence. Results showed that all three groups overwhelmingly used revisions to…

Parent-teacher conferences offer an opportunity to cooperatively prevent and solve learning and behavior problems. The phases of a parent-teacher conference include: preconference phase (notification, preparation, agenda planning, and arranging environments); conference phase, which utilizes a problem-solving approach; and postconference phase,…

Expressive activities are suggested to help teachers understand the underlying emotional problems of learning-disabled children. Activities include the teacher-made questionnaire, the sentence completion exercise, the student-made autobiography, and student drawings of self and family. (DB)

Discusses the progressive movement which brought about curriculum differentiation in the form of special classes in the Atlanta, Georgia, Public Schools during the period 1898-1923. Examines a number of recent interpretations of curriculum differentiation through an analysis of the establishment of Atlanta's first special classes. (KO)

Introduces ecological framework for assessment and rehabilitation planning of learning disabled persons to facilitate integration of information and perspectives. Operationalizes framework through four dimensions: individual attributes; environmental attributes; nature, quality, and sequence of interactions; and perceptions of involved…

This article discusses definitional differences, survey data, and studies relevant to the question of a discernible hearing-impaired, learning-disabled subgroup. The existence of such a group is a subject of speculation, and diagnostic difficulties and the inadequacies of current standardized testing procedures have prevented the formation and…

The literature on the critical role of parents in the education of children with severe learning difficulties is discussed in the context of playgroups and nursery schools, language training, home-school contacts, teaching by parents, and school leaving. (DB)

This paper discusses theories and techniques of motivation in the context of special education. Cognitive, need/drive and instinct theories are discussed, as are contributing factors such as self-concept and anxiety. Classroom techniques such as peer tutoring and intrinsic vs. extrinsic reinforcement are considered in terms of these theories. (PB)

The article raises concerns about educational approaches which rely heavily on extrinsic reinforcers and offers instructional guidelines to promote intrinsic motivation in children with learning problems. Stressed is the importance of mediational dynamics between teacher and student in the learning process. (DB)

The paper traces the histories of several language disorders and the recommended educational treatment for them. It covers the historical events in medicine and education that have contributed to the confusion in relation to aphasia, dyslexia, and perceptual-motor disorders. (JDD)

Results are reported from research which evaluated a program designed to teach learning disabled students to outline text material. Students (aged 15-17) received instruction on selecting important ideas, seeing the relationship of subordinate details to superordinate points, and organizing information in a traditional format. (IAH)