A study investigated the motivational characteristics of 36 adolescents with learning disabilities (LD), 26 students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD), and 53 typical students. Students with LD appeared more alienated and oriented to avoiding work, whereas students with EBD reported significantly more feelings of test anxiety. Gender…

This article describes the quest of an elementary special educator to create an effective reading program that would motivate students, as well as one that would address the students' Individualized Education Programs. Allowing the students to help select books and integrating writing activities had a positive effect on the students. (Contains…

This article describes curricular accommodations in the foreign language for college students with language learning disabilities. Elements of a model program are discussed, including advising, instruction, and efficacy research. The implementation of these components is described with particular reference to modified programs in Italian, Spanish,…

A survey involving 14 students with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland primary schools found that WordImage, an approach that uses word-cards with sentences on one side and color picture-cards on the reverse, was effective in teaching word recognition. Some children were found to be more receptive to pictorial cueing than others. (Contains…

This article describes a new technique for improving the reading comprehension of elementary students. The Coop-Dis-Q technique combines cooperative learning, discussion, and questioning strategies to create a synergistic instructional effect. The specific steps of the technique and successful use of the technique in a fifth-grade classroom are…

Three factors tied with secondary student success in content-area reading are demonstrated: validated teacher-focused and student-focused interventions, integrated and comprehensive service delivery systems, and well-designed, data-based professional developmental programs. The key role that school administrators play in ensuring each of the…

Interviews regular and special education teachers concerning knowledge and attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD). Determined that general knowledge was low among both groups. Three-quarters of teachers favored increasing peer awareness as to problems LD students encounter at school. No…

Two students with language learning disabilities (LLD) and two younger typically developing peers were videotaped in their emergent reading groups for analysis of the distribution, types, and functions of teaching scaffolding sequences. Both the regular and special education teachers used primarily directive scaffolding sequences and provided…

Comparison of scores of 35 third- and fourth-grade students with learning disabilities on 3 major achievement tests found high positive correlations among the reading subtests. Agreement across all 3 tests for learning disability eligibility in the basic reading skills area was found in 20 of 35 cases and 9 of 35 cases in reading comprehension.…

This article describes the Cognitive Strategy in Writing program (originally intended for elementary-age students), and adaptation and application of the social constructivist approach with seven junior high and high school students with learning disabilities. Pretest-posttest assessment indicated dramatic improvements in overall quality and…

Nonacademic subscales (social acceptance, athletic ability, physical appearance, and behavioral conduct) of the Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students and the Children's Depression Inventory were administered to 83 fifth graders and 88 eighth graders (66 with learning disabilities). Self-perceived social acceptance was related to…

Examines the role of executive function, or the ability to maintain the appropriate problem-solving set for attainment of a future goal, in academic success. Describes causes of executive function deficits, common manifestations, methods for assessing the problem, and strategies for remediating related problems. (26 citations) (MAB)

Students (ages 6-10, n=144), grouped by age and reading ability, were administered tasks with a demonstrated relationship to reading. The concept of dyslexia was supported only for the older group, for whom dyslexia appeared to be either a phonological deficit or a developmental lag. (Author/DB)

This study, involving 40 general educators each with at least 1 student with a learning disability, found that teachers who received instructional recommendations on how to incorporate curriculum-based measurement feedback into their instructional planning designed better instructional programs and effected greater achievement for their students,…

Middle school students (n=86) with learning disabilities or emotional disturbance who participated in Cooperative Homework Teams achieved a higher rate of homework completion and higher percentage correct on homework than controls but did not perform better in mathematics achievement. Significant effects were found for grade level but not for type…