This study evaluated effects of an intervention to teach 23 high school students with learning disabilities (LD) how to understand, identify, discuss, and transform their ineffective beliefs. Results indicated that students with LD successfully learned the BELIEF Strategy contained in the intervention curriculum, and reported satisfaction with…

Two elementary teachers discuss their experiences of having children with attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities in their second-grade classrooms, focusing on the process involved in deciding whether or not to medicate the children with Ritalin to enhance their ability to learn. (SM)

Considers the effects that might issue from an integration of decoding and spelling for the instruction of disabled readers. Proposes a structural-historical approach reflecting the patterns and word origins inherent in the English spelling system. Provides an alternative to both isolated phonics instruction and the whole-language approach. (HB)

Sixty elementary students with learning disabilities were interviewed about parallel domains of uncontested and contested knowledge on the topic of space, including questions of morality and questions of empirical law. Students clearly distinguished between uncontested and contested knowledge, suggesting that they are capable of working with…

This article reviews common curricular alternatives for addressing the science education needs of secondary students with learning disabilities. A curriculum revision method emphasizing models and context-rich problem solving is proposed as an alternative to the traditional uses of direct instruction, mnemonics, graphic organizers, and study…

This article presents learning strategies to help high school students with learning disabilities succeed in technical classes. Strategies address time management, memorization, and learning to use charts and graphs. Figures offer an example of breaking a project into subtasks, a self-questioning strategy, the CAN DO learning strategy, and a…

This article describes a cooperative project between a teacher and sculptor to link sculpture with academic subjects within a self-contained class for 13-year-old students with learning disabilities. The nine-week project focused on biological habitats and included the construction of three-dimensional habitats on pieces of wood. (DB)

This meta-analysis of peer rating sociometric research on students with learning disabilities (LD) examined 17 studies. Results demonstrated that LD students have considerably lower sociometric status compared to nondisabled peers. The influence of ratee gender, rater gender, grade level, research design, and sociometric scale type is examined.…

Fourth-grade students (n=45) either with or without learning disabilities and achieving or not achieving at grade level in math were asked to explain strategies used to solve computational problems. Strategies were classified as reproductive or reconstructive (which varied in applicability and efficiency). Significant group differences were found.…

An individualized physical activity program with a strong social skills component was implemented with 45 students (ages 8 to 10) with learning disabilities. Participants' gains in self-ratings of competence and teacher ratings of social behavior were no larger than gains of control students receiving comparable attention through individualized…

Identifies salient characteristics of learning disabilities, how learning disabilities affect individuals in social relationships, and how groups can be used to effectively facilitate individual growth. This is achieved due to therapeutic factors such as universality, instillation of hope, altruistic information sharing, and group interaction.…

This introductory article describes a study that explored the meaning of special education in the context of full-time mainstreaming and the Regular Education Initiative. The study involved observing five full-time mainstreaming models of service delivery for elementary-age students with learning disabilities (described in subsequent articles).…

This article describes the inclusion model implemented in one Kansas elementary school and the educational experiences of two children, both with learning disabilities. The model is a variant of the Hudson Class-within-a-Class model, in which a substantial number of students at risk or with disabilities are grouped in a single class where they…

Consideration is given to using the branching strategy to teach mathematics to children with learning disabilities, or any elementary school child having difficulties. Branching involves altering instructional goals and expectations for students based on developmental levels, learning characteristics, and sensory needs, and changing the antecedent…

Legal protections for individuals with learning disabilities are considered through a review of the qualification requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Differences between IDEA and Section 504 are examined, along with decisions from…