The purpose of the current study was to examine academic and cognitive profiles of first graders who responded adequately and inadequately to intensive small-group reading intervention (Tier 2), as well as assess how these profiles differ based on the criteria used for classification of unresponsiveness. Nonresponders were identified using two…

The focus of this article is intervention for third-grade students with serious mathematics deficits at third grade. In third grade, such deficits are clearly established, and identification of mathematics disabilities typically begins. We provide background information on two aspects of mathematical cognition that present major challenges for…

This article first describes two types of assessment (problem solving and standard treatment protocol) within a "responsiveness-to-instruction" framework to identify learning disabilities. It then specifies two necessary components (measures and classification criteria) to assess responsiveness-to-instruction, and present pertinent findings from…

This article examines a 1995 treatment validity model as a framework for identifying learning disabilities. This model: (1) examines both student performance and responsiveness to instruction; (2) delays special education referral until the effects of individual student adaptations in the regular classroom have been explored; and (3) verifies that…

Reviews the research on instructional adaptations in mathematics used by general educators with students having learning disabilities. After a summary of levels and types of instructional adaptation, the article reviews methods for extending adaptation strategies and studies of teachers' planning methods and associated learning outcomes for…

The authors of an article on staff development for general education teachers serving students with learning disabilities respond to a commentary. They stress the involvement of teachers in the development and research process on Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) and Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS). They also note independent teacher…

In response to Kavale and Forness (EC 630 380), this article presents a differing view of science and politics in learning disabilities in which the importance of practical knowledge is stressed and the importance of scientific knowledge or "scientism" is diminished. Recommendations stress the need to hold practitioners accountable and to provide…

The performance instability of learning disabled (LD) and emotionally handicapped (EH) elementary children was compared in two studies. Results indicated no difference between the performance instability of the two groups of subjects. Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of LD and other exceptional students are discussed. (Author/CL)

A study involving 50 educationally handicapped (EH), 37 learning disabled (LD), and 40 nonhandicapped (NH) children revealed that when measures were administered weekly over three consecutive weeks, NH subjects' variability was greater than either LD or EH subjects. When subjects were tested on three passages in one sitting, no reliable difference…