This article reviews how tutoring systems have been applied across specialized subject areas (e.g., music, horticulture, health and safety, social interactions). It summarizes findings, provides an analysis of skills learned within each tutoring system, identifies the respective methodologies, and reports relevant findings, implications, and…

This overview of the second special issue on effective mathematics instruction for students with learning disabilities provides brief summaries of the issue's articles. Articles are meant to assist teachers in the design, implementation, and evaluation of mathematics programs for students with learning disabilities. (CR)

Describes and illustrates five areas of instructional design in mathematics well suited to students with learning disabilities. Suggested learning strategies for teachers to incorporate include using big ideas and conspicuous strategies; teaching efficient use of time; giving clear, explicit instruction on strategies; and taking time for…

In a speech, Boston University (Massachusetts) president Jon Westling used "Somnolent Samantha" as an example of potential for student abuse of identification as learning disabled. Because Samantha was fictitious, 10 students have sued the university, charging Westling with holding an unfair view of students with learning disabilities.…

In the general literature on low literacy, one cause that has been neglected is learning disabilities. Discusses the use of technology in related literacy programs and concludes that technology should be part of the process but cannot be expected to take the place of good teaching. Highlights LiteracyLink, a project for teaching literacy with…

Regression-based procedures were used to identify 17 phonological and 15 surface dyslexics from a sample of 68 reading-disabled third graders by comparing them to chronological age controls. Defining dyslexic subtypes by reference to reading-level controls identified the phonological dyslexics, but only one of the surface dyslexics. (SLD)

Summarizes ongoing research designed to generate new knowledge about the relative effectiveness of different approaches to the prevention and remediation of reading disabilities in children, particularly difficulties in acquiring accurate and fluent word reading skills. Preliminary results from the prevention study and the remediation study are…

Presents a discussion of the emotional aspects of learning problems, outlining the dynamics of emotional involvement as seen in 12 scenarios commonly found with clinic-referred children. Implications for assessment and intervention are also represented. (KW)

Discusses the difficulties students with learning disabilities have with mathematics. Six pedagogical criteria related to effective teaching practices are presented, followed by a narrative description of the extent to which the early 1990s editions of three basal mathematics programs applied these criteria in designing instructional sequences.…

This study compared efficacy and efficiency of constant time delay and interspersal of known items to teach sight words to four students with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities. Results support effectiveness of constant time delay and suggest that interspersal of known items was more effective with students with learning…

Describes the Lab School of Washington, a private school for students with moderate to severe learning disabilities which focuses on students' strengths and teaches students using a blend of arts, multisensory learning, individualized attention, and nontraditional school experiences. About 90 percent of students from this successful school go on…

A study examined the effectiveness of a highly explicit, teacher-directed instructional routine used to teach three planning strategies to 20 fourth-fifth graders with learning disabilities. In comparison to peers who received process writing instruction, those taught goal setting, brainstorming, and organizing spent more time planning stories and…

This article presents guidelines for writing better test items to evaluate student learning better. Recommendations are provided for writing true-false items (test only one idea in each item), multiple-choice items (include the bulk of information in the stem), and matching items (only use homogeneous lists). Examples are provided. (Contains 7…

A survey of 89 graduates with learning disabilities found high levels of employment self-efficacy and satisfaction. Although there were no significant differences related to self-efficacy and job satisfaction and selected demographic variables, perceptions of employment self-efficacy and use of self-regulatory strategies were found to be…

Describes the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) project which can be used for all ability level students. Explains the Thinking Science activity, "The Behavior of Woodlice". (Author/YDS)