Hierarchical cluster analysis techniques were used to identify subtypes of 125 Minnesota students with learning disabilities (LD) in grades 1 through 6, and to investigate their academic performance. The measure used for clustering was the Basic Academic Skills Samples (BASS), an index of student proficiency in basic academic skill areas (reading, spelling, and written expression) developed as a screening measure for early identification of students in need of additional help. There were two distinct patterns across grade levels. The first pattern was characterized by general deficiency across areas; the second by specific skill deficiencies. The patterns were also differentiated in terms of the degree of the deficiency. The LD sample showed general deficiencies across the three language-related academic skill areas at each grade level, compared to the grade norm. More differentiated subtypes existed among older students. The study found that the BASS measures could be used to identify students with learning problems and the subtypes of those problems in terms of specific skill deficiencies. (Contains 24 references.) (DB)