This introductory article presents the three tenets undergirding the selection of papers in this issue on a sociocultural perspective for literacy research in children with learning difficulties. The three tenets include learning as a cultural phenomenon; learning as arising in contextualized, holistic, and meaningful activity; and the social…

This paper discusses arguments for the social nature of knowledge construction, the balancing influence of individual knowledge construction, conceptualization of the relative roles of individual and social dynamics in children's learning, important principles of effective instruction, and implications for designing educational programs for…

Data reports from South Carolina's 92 independent school districts during 1980-81 were used to calculate prevalence rates of mental retardation and learning disabilities. These prevalence rates were 41.66/1,000 children enrolled for mental retardation and 33.21/1,000 children enrolled for learning disabilities. Additional analysis showed that…

This article describes a current pilot program of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) schools for twice exceptional students (i.e., gifted students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and/or communication disorders) in grades 9 through 12. Three program components will be implemented over the next three years: (1) transition plan, (2)…

This qualitative study of 12 succeeding high ability college students found a diverse series of strategies used by the students. Critical factors in student success included participation in a university program for students with learning disabilities and support by a learning disability specialist who helped students by providing learning and…

Implementation of a social skill training package with three elementary-school children who had behavioral and learning disorders resulted in increasing student acquisition of targeted social behaviors, which in turn led to lengthier peer interactions. Increases in nontargeted social responses were also demonstrated. (Author/JDD)

This study compared the science vocabulary performance of 76 students with learning disabilities (LD) and 78 normally achieving (NA) students at elementary and intermediate grade levels. Findings indicated significant differences in receptive language performance between LD and NA students and differences in expressive language between older and…

At Southegan High School, in Amherst, New Hampshire, all students, including those with physical and emotional disabilities, are fully included in nontracked, heterogeneously grouped classes. Full inclusion is possible because of three program components: collaborative planning time; curriculum design characterized by planning backward from final…

Forty-three adolescents with learning disabilities attending a residential school were assessed for externalizing behavior problems and academic achievement in reading, spelling, and arithmetic. Some indices of externalizing behavior predicted some measures of underachievement, but the reverse relation was not evident. Inattention interfered with…

Describes Red Flag Carry-in Crisis in which 15-year-old girl with learning disabilities fought with another student and was actively resistant to help. Presents background information, incident itself, drainoff stage, timeline, and transcript of Red Flag intervention interview. Discusses outcome goals, describes student's return to class, offers…

The Content Mastery program, which evolved from the synergistic model, provides instructional accommodations and teacher consultation and support that encourage the success of students with learning disabilities in regular classroom settings. Students remain in mainstream classes as long as they can profit from instruction and attend the Content…

Describes the challenges of successful college integration, college entrance examinations, and college admission policies faced by students with learning disabilities. Outlines types of college programs for these students. Discusses aspects of the counselor's role in successful transition planning in preparation for college: student assessment,…

Group counseling is discussed as a form of treatment with distinct advantages for assisting adolescents with learning disabilities, to enrich their social and emotional well-being along with their academic skills. The importance of goal setting by LD adolescents is emphasized. (JDD)

A survey of 51 state directors of special education found that 76 percent of the states specified a method for determining an ability/achievement discrepancy to identify students with learning disabilities, most frequently the standard score comparison method. Relationships between procedures used and yearly increases in numbers of students…

Characteristics of 718 students labeled as learning disabled before implementation of Indiana's statewide guidelines were compared with characteristics of 790 students identified after guideline implementation. After implementation, students identified had more severe academic problems and severe ability/achievement discrepancy, though one-third…