The reading and mathematics achievement and specific mathematics competencies of 74 children were followed during second and third grades. Although children with moderate mathematics deficiencies (MMD-only) and children with moderate mathematics and reading difficulties started out at the same level in mathematics, the MMD-only group surpassed the…

A 20-year follow-up study of 41 individuals with learning disabilities revealed attributes that differentiated the successful from the unsuccessful group. Some themes discussed include the critical influence of the learning disability across the entire lifespan, differences in participants' family functioning, and differences in participants'…

Twenty-four students with reading difficulties (grade 4) and 85 skilled readers completed a reading comprehension test, read aloud a folktale, and read aloud a list of the folktale's words. Skilled readers read three times more correct words per minute in context and showed higher accuracy and rates on all measures. (Contains references.)…

A study involving 66 sixth-graders with learning disabilities, average achievers, and gifted students found gifted students used significantly more visual-spatial representations than the other two groups in solving mathematical problems. Students with learning disabilities used significantly more pictorial representation than their peers, a…

A meta-analysis of 30 studies found the following learner characteristics influenced the treatment responsiveness of early literacy interventions: rapid naming; problem behavior; phonological awareness; alphabetic principle; memory; IQ; and demographics. With the exception of the demographic category, the obtained effect sizes for the primary…

Three studies investigated children's responsiveness to general education reading instruction as an indicator of need for more intensive interventions and found that the response-to-instruction model tested was valid. Results indicated that children at-risk (n=47) who received specially designed general education instruction had better outcomes…

This article explores conceptual and technical issues associated with options for specifying three assessment components for implementing an intervention responsiveness approach to the identification of learning disabilities: the timing of the measurement of student response to intervention; the criterion for demarcating learning as inadequate;…

This article analyzes factors related to bringing research-validated practices to scale to enable implementation of responsiveness-to- intervention models in special education. Key components of effective literacy programs are discussed, along with findings from reading intervention research. The need for professional collaboration among…

General and specific issues of the risk and resilience framework in the social development of children with learning disabilities include: (1) integrating current research with prior related studies; (2) measurement problems; (3) more differentiation regarding gender and severity of learning disabilities; (4) potential risk and protective factors;…

This response to a paper on risk and resilience models in learning disabilities research supports this framework for research and practice with regard to the social and emotional functioning of children with learning disabilities. Research is urged to address the effect of family functioning and parenting, peer victimization, and the interaction…

In response to a paper on risk and resilience models in learning disabilities research, this article supports the original author's clarification of conceptual inconsistencies and emphasizes two mediating factors within the third wave of resilience research: the critical role of emotions and the importance of reciprocity in relations with both…

In response to a paper on risk and resilience models in learning disabilities (LD) research, this article supports the author and suggests areas of research, especially identification of risk and protective factors in children with LD. Application to analysis of friendship strategies is described. Also noted is longitudinal research to identify…

This paper urges researchers in learning disabilities not to embrace the risk/resilience framework without rigorous consideration of four issues: the meaning of risk and resilience factors; how to characterize learning disabilities as risk factors; just what the risk is; and how this framework may guide intervention efforts. (Contains references.)…

In response to a paper on risk and resilience models in learning disabilities research, this article suggests two factors that render this framework appealing to special education researchers: its optimistic empowering nature as the trainability of identified resilience factors is assumed and its emphasis on factors external to the individual that…

This study evaluated effects of manipulative instruction on perimeter and area problem-solving performance of three middle or high school students with learning disabilities in mathematics. Students rapidly acquired the problem solving skills, maintained these skills over a two-month period, and transferred the skills to a paper-and-pencil problem…