The purpose of this article is to spark discussion regarding the value and feasibility of empirically based procedures for goal setting and evaluation of educational services. Recent legal decisions and policy debates point to the need for clearer criteria in decisions regarding appropriate educational services. Possible roles for school…

Reading scores of 461 students with learning disabilities were followed across 5 years as the district implemented a state-mandated accountability plan and large scale testing program. Analyses indicate that the district's performance with students with learning disabilities improved in terms of mean reading score and percent proficient in reading…

A study explored the use of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to develop an intervention plan for a third-grader with learning disabilities who exhibited high rates of problem behaviors during reading instruction. Results provide preliminary evidence to support the use of FBA to influence instructional planning. (Contains references.)…

A study compared the Spontaneous Writing Quotient (SWQ) of the Test of Writing Language-3 to teacher progress ratings of 147 students (grades 3-5) in the local writing curriculum. Corrected coefficients ranged from .39 to .48, offering only low to moderate support for the criterion-related validity relative to the local curriculum. (Contains…

An 11-item math concept curriculum-based measure (CBM) was administered to 171 eighth grade students. Scores were correlated with scores from a computer adaptive test designed in conjunction with the state to approximate the official statewide mathematics achievement tests. Correlations for general education students and students with learning…

A study examined relationships between reading fluency and comprehension by having 49 students (grades 3-4) orally read four passages with an incrementally increased percentage of scrambled words. A suggested criterion of approximately 50 words/minute was found using the mean fluency rate of the highest passage of demonstrated adequate…

Students in three inclusive third-grade classes (n=74 students) were taught story vocabulary using the keyword method, vocabulary words with pictures, or vocabulary with definitions. The keyword method was more effective in increasing vocabulary learning. Using the keyword method, the achievement of students with learning disabilities matched…

Highlights the methodological issues surrounding research on reading in atypical populations and discusses the issue of comparison groups. Reviews evidence from studies that have described the reading profile observed in Williams syndrome. Advocates a more dynamic developmental approach to the study of reading in atypical populations. (PM)

This article includes a definition of grading rubrics, a rationale for their use, the benefits of rubrics, and ways to introduce rubrics to students with learning disabilities using the RUBRIC strategy. Rubric resources for teachers are listed, and common problems and suggestions for using grading rubrics are discussed. (Contains 9 references.)…

A synthesis of research on interventions designed to build reading fluency in students with learning disabilities identified 24 studies on various interventions. Results suggested that effective interventions include explicit models of reading fluency, multiple opportunities to read familiar text repeatedly, independently, and with corrective…

This study surveyed coordinators of special services at 74 postsecondary institutions on how well students with learning disabilities had been prepared by high school transition services. Overall, respondents were dissatisfied with transition services. Respondents were most satisfied with high schools' provision of updated student evaluations…

Investigated the criterion-related validity of the Academic Competence Evaluation Scales-College (ACES-College), a self-report measure of academic competence. Using comparisons to grade point average and college admission test scores, found good evidence for its validity and ability to differentiate college students experiencing learning…

Three review articles, six essays, and nine empirical studies on peer tutoring were assessed. Mainstreamed or integrated classrooms were found to be ideal locations for peer tutoring, providing support for the integration process, positive effects on self-esteem and achievement, aid in classroom management, and a reinforcing system for learning.…

Compared 64 learning-disabled, 46 low-achieving, and 40 average elementary-age boys on teacher ratings of hyperactivity and self-control. Found significant group differences in both areas. Learning-disabled and low-achievement groups differed significantly from average group in social-behavioral competence, with no significant difference between…

The paper describes and advocates process-oriented rather than product-oriented approaches to language intervention for students with language-learning disabilities. The paper discusses the need for different reasoning strategies in language intervention, a "levels of competence" macromodel for language intervention, a process-oriented micromodel,…