Summarizes the research on the condition of literacy and concludes that the poor performance of the last century can be traced, in part, to faulty teaching methods, oversimplified textbooks, and the false diagnosis of innate learning disabilities. (TB)

Research and literature on resilience characteristics are reviewed for applicability to individuals with learning disabilities. The lack of agreement in defining or describing resilience is noted and risk factors for a lack of resilience are identified. Strategies which successful, resilient individuals use are identified, with suggestions for…

This article urges establishment of an infrastructure to promote reform in the design, adoption, selection, and implementation of high quality commercial technology, media, and materials (TMM) to benefit all students, especially students identified as learning disabled. Four "brutal" market realities suggest that the emphasis must be on quality…

This article provides teachers a framework for choosing computer software to assist with writing instruction for students with learning disabilities. The various writing problems that software programs can address are described. Appendices include a writing needs checklist, writing requirements checklist, and list of features of computer-supported…

This study investigated the effects of providing training in helping behaviors on peer tutors in mathematics. Participants were 20 dyads composed of a general education student and a student with learning disabilities (grades 2-4). Results indicate the students who received the helping training engaged in an increased number of directly trained…

This article addresses gifted students who are at risk or have learning disabilities and thus may not be identified as gifted. The definition of giftedness is discussed, and profiles of students who are gifted/at risk and gifted with learning disabilities are provided to better identify these students. (CR)

Examines the long-term effects of instruction on the reading achievement of children diagnosed as having learning disability and were taught in resource rooms. Studies the consequences of such instruction on the cognitive level of children identified as having reading disability. Finds that resource room placement and instruction have deleterious…

This article describes the Wings Mentor Program in Maryland, a program developed to provide additional support to students with gifts who also have learning disabilities and highly able students who were not succeeding in the classroom. Students realize their creative and intellectual potential when paired with mentors who nurture them. (Contains…

Memory Math, a multimedia software program that uses a peg- and keyword mnemonic strategy to teach basic multiplication facts, was used with six students with learning and cognitive disabilities. Five of the students demonstrated improved accuracy on electronic probes and all students demonstrated increased accuracy on the paper/pencil probes.…

Interviews with 21 general education elementary school teachers found they were generally positive about cooperative learning's efficacy for students with learning problems, while acknowledging that it worked better for some students than others. Major benefits were improved self-esteem, a safe learning environment, and better classroom success…

An 18-item "Shortened Visuospatial Questionnaire" (SVS) was validated twice, first by verifying that children (ages 8-13) identified with the SVS questionnaire as having visuospatial learning disability (VSLD) (n=54) actually showed visuospatial deficits on psychometric evaluation, and second, by rating with the SVS a clinically identified…

The effects of instructional strategies on the academic performance of four children with learning disabilities were examined using brief multielement designs. Instructional strategies included follow along/sound out, verbal rehearsal, verbal outline, and rhyming words/sample spelling. Manipulation of the instructional strategies was useful in…

The use of cooperative learning to teach mathematics to students with learning disabilities is explored. Cooperative learning components are described, including lesson preparation, lesson instruction, and lesson evaluation. An example of using cooperative learning to teach mathematics is provided, along with a table of examples of cooperative…

Presents the author's views concerning the nature of educational intervention in learning disabilities. Considers ethical issues, research design, and measurement of change. Discusses the barriers to conducting intervention studies and methods for dissemination of the research findings. (DB)

Examines the influence that oral language deficits exert on children's ability to learn to read and to develop reading skills. Discusses evidence that points to deficient phonological awareness as the variable that best discriminates children with reading delay. The effects of deficit phonological awareness are described. (Author/CR)