The article offers guidelines to educators evaluating controversial therapies and applies them to four such therapies: tinted lenses as a cure for dyslexia; orthomolecular treatments for learning disabilities; pharmaceutical intervention for dyslexia; and visual training for children with learning disabilities. (DB)

Evaluation of a metacognitive reading program with 13 learning-disabled children in grades 3 and 4 found that students increased in performance and awareness of strategies from pre- to posttesting. Differences were also observed between different clusters of students with defensive, pessimistic, or realistic self-concepts. (DB)

The self-perceptions of 86 learning disabled students in grades 3 through 8 were investigated using the Perceived Competence Scale for Children of S. Harter (1982). Results indicate that social comparison processes are important in the formation of learning disabled students' perceived academic competence. (SLD)

This study examined effectiveness of an instructional program designed to teach learning-disabled adolescents (N=70) to make better personal decisions. A pretest/posttest comparison design found that following instruction students showed better ability to both identify general schema for decision making and apply schema to novel problem…

This study of 218 White and 132 Black students (mean age=10.3) referred for possible learning disability services found that Black subjects were more likely to exhibit a severe discrepancy between expected and actual achievement levels when using a regression procedure than when using a standard score comparison procedure. (Author/JDD)

Highlights four factors (acceptance of learning of problem, family engagement with achievement behavior, parental discipline method, role of the identified child) commonly observed in families that helped the identified child with learning disabilities reach its highest level of functioning by examining three families for a three-year period. (ABL)

Describes an experience-based vocabulary instruction technique suitable for learning disabled or mentally disabled junior high school students. Reports that the students improved their vocabulary over the long term and requested inclusion of words from their other courses. (RS)

The effect of a lecture pausing procedure on performance of 15 learning-disabled and 15 nondisabled college students was evaluated. Findings indicate that 2-minute pauses spaced at logical breaks during videotaped lectures effectively enhanced student performance on immediate free-recall and objective test measures but not on long-term free…

Learning-disabled adolescents' vulnerability to crime victimization or perpetration was assessed via a questionnaire concerning their expectations/concerns about the future; perceptions of peer pressure; and experiences regarding crime, substance abuse, and sex. The 95 subjects were at higher risk of involvement than 102 achieving classmates, and…

A project combined precision teaching techniques and a flashcard approach known as SAFMEDS, with 4 students with learning disabilities or behavior disorders, age 14-18. Project results determined that the techniques provided students with necessary skills to pass the school district's minimum competency test in the area of local, state, and…

Recent efforts of parents, education experts, and Congress to expand the definition of handicapped children (under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) to include attention deficit disorder victims failed when the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People intervened on behalf of Black children, already…

Three reading comprehension strategies are presented to assist learning-disabled students: an advance organizer technique called "TELLS Fact or Fiction" used before reading a passage, a schema-based technique called "Story Mapping" used while reading, and a postreading method of categorizing questions called…

When children with learning disabilities fail to learn effective reading strategies, they lose enthusiasm and develop negative self-perceptions and attitudes, jeopardizing future achievement. In response, instructional approaches emphasizing clear explanation of reading strategies and discussion of processes for constructing meaning have been…

Results are presented from a study which documents the effectiveness of social-skills training followed by cross-age tutoring for improving both achievement and social communication behaviors among boys (N=20), grades four-six, with learning disabilities. (IAH)

Examined factor structure of Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) in medically referred brain-damaged and learning-disabled children and adolescents. Extracted six factors: Conduct Disorder, Hyperkinesis, Distractibility, Depression, Dyssocial Behavior, and Introversion. Results support use of CTRS as brief objective instrument for assessing child…