Findings from 85 respondents to a survey of fundamental concerns in the field are discussed, first in terms of several overriding considerations; then, specific issues and problems associated with theory, research, practice, training, and field and policy activity are explored. Respondents underscored the link between improving the quality of…

In special education, computers can assist with individualized instruction and manage recordkeeping, but instructional applications are frequently limited by software. Educators must become advocates by supporting computer literacy programs and becoming consultants for researchers and software developers to assure the development of quality…

The need for enforceable professional standards for special educators is discussed within the context of recent criminal convictions of four prominent special educators. Their misconduct is related to possible contributing factors inherent in our present system: lack of clear professional standards, emphasis on centralized controls, and society's…

Studies are reviewed in four topic areas: (1) learning disabled (LD) students' spontaneous use of language; (2) their ability to adapt language to listener characteristics; (3) effectiveness of their communications; and (4) their ability to fulfill listener responsibilities. Noted are methodological flaws which cast doubt on implications for…

The paper suggests that a continuum of severity within the learning disabled population is functionally related to the ease of adaptation to the environment. It is suggested that adaptive criteria can be used to determine homogeneous subgroups among the learning disabled population functionally as well or better than criteria based on traditional…

Factor analysis of scores on intelligence, achievement, language, and process assessment measures of 112 elementary learning disabled students revealed three severity subtypes. Results suggested that severity is more appropriately determined by adaptive behavior assessment than by discrepancy between ability and academic or processing performance.…

In two studies, 16 learning disabled elementary-aged boys receiving electromyographs for biofeedback muscle relaxation training showed significant improvement over controls on a variety of measures, including reading, spelling, verbal IQ, eye-hand coordination, and handwriting. (CL)

A study involving 69 randomly selected elementary students indicated that increases in arsenic and interaction of arsenic lead were significantly related to decreased reading and spelling achievement, and increases in aluminum and the interaction of aluminum with lead were significantly related to decreased visual-motor performance. (Author/CL)

Learning disabled (LD) and non-LD boys (grades two and six) were given a false recognition task. Study and test items were manipulated to form visual, acoustic, and semantic distractors. Results suggest that LD students do not spontaneously use the effortful semantic processing strategy of elaborative rehearsal. (Author/CL)

The author reviews research on visual training for learning disabled students and addresses three major topics: what vision training is, for whom it is appropriate, and how effective it is. She cites the lack of solid research base from which to derive clinical decisions. (CL)

Problems with applying the career education model to students with learning disabilities or any type of disability are noted and similarities in curriculum development theory are charted. The role of the resource room teacher in a career education model is noted. (CL)

To focus on the importance of concept development and metacognitive processes to the act of writing, curricular changes must be made, including shifting the emphasis from mechanics to content and meaning. Six suggestions are offered for improving the quality and quantity of the written product of learning disabled students. (CL)

Sixteen "helpless" learning disabled students (grades four to five) assigned to an attribution training group demonstrated greater reading persistence and showed significant increases in effort attributions for failure as well as more internal attributions for achievement situations when compared to Ss in the control group. Treatment gains for…

A vision evaluation and enhancement program was used with 59 elementary multihandicapped students to prevent future problems in educational and social development. Ss with eye-movement difficulties, eye-hand coordination problems and/or difficulty in visual perception skills improved after program participation. (CL)

Compared to 45 normally achieving students, 45 learning disabled six- to 12-year-olds had lower self-concepts, more external locus of control orientations, and lower performance expectations. Children new to the resource room had higher expectations for future success than Ss with experience in the resource room. (CL)