A report of cognitive, academic, and linguistic profiles for college students with and without learning disabilities

A comparison of cognitive, academic, and linguistic profiles for 74 college students with learning disabilities and 37 college students without learning disabilities resulted in significant differences in achievement for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. No significant differences were found for gender or the presence of a Verbal-Performance split in cognitive ability. Instruments for measuring academic and linguistic skills were similar in their ability to classify students with and without learning disabilities. These findings support the importance of using measures of multidimensional attributes, including language, for making decisions concerning the criteria for learning disabilities.     

Cognitive correlates of social perception in students with learning disabilities

In investigating possible explanations for social skills deficits in students with learning disabilities, researchers have examined social perception-the interpretation of behavior in order to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. This study specifically examined cognitive correlates of social perception in individuals with learning disabilities. Thirty-two students with learning disabilities in elementary grades were measured on three subtests (Comprehension, Picture Arrangement, and Digit Span) of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and on the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity. Both Picture Arrangement and Comprehension seemed to have an inherent relation to social perceptual functioning. Implications of these results are discussed.     

Promoting access, accommodations, and independence for college students with learning disabilities.

This article focuses on the four primary issues that directly affect service delivery to students with learning disabilities in postsecondary settings, including (a) How are high school and post-secondary settings different? (b) How are eligibility and access determined? (c) How are reasonable accommodations determined? and (d) How can the independence level of college students with learning disabilities be fostered? Each of these issues will be discussed within the context of the student's transition from high school, where Public Law 94-142 is in effect, to college, where Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 applies.     

Significant predictors of test anxiety among students with and without learning disabilities

In the present study, the relationship between students with and without learning disabilities (LD) and different aspects of test anxiety was examined on a new multidimensional measure of test anxiety. A sample of 774 elementary and secondary school students--195 students with LD and 579 students not identified with LD--completed the Test Anxiety Inventory for Children and Adolescents (TAICA), a new multidimensional measure of test anxiety for elementary and secondary school students in Grades 4 through 12. Examination of the factor structure of the TAICA scores across LD status to determine whether accurate test score interpretation was possible revealed that the majority of the coefficient of congruence values between each pair of six corresponding factors of the TAICA (Cognitive Obstruction/ Inattention, Performance Enhancement/Facilitation Anxiety, Physiological Hyperarousal, Social Humiliation, Worry, and Lie) and the Total Test Anxiety factor were above .90, and the salient variable similarity index values were statistically significant, suggesting that the factor structure of the TAICA was similar across groups. The results of seven multiple regression analyses revealed that LD predicted higher Cognitive Obstruction/Inattention and Worry scores and lower Performance Enhancement/Facilitation Anxiety and Lie scores. Implications of the findings for school personnel who work with students with LD are discussed.     

Academic self-efficacy,sense of coherence,hope and tiredness among college students with learning disabilities

Abstract

Some resilient students with LD succeed ‘against the odds’ and reach college. The goals of the study are to explore their resources and barriers during their studies. The relationships between academic self-efficacy (ASE) and personal resources (sense of coherence (SOC) and hope) among college students with learning disabilities (LD) will be examined. The sample consisted of 438 college students divided into two subgroups: 149 students with LD and 289 Non-LD students. Results indicated that college students with LD reported lower levels of ASE, as well as lower levels of hope subscales and SOC. Persistent challenges of early learning distress experienced by those students during school periods continue to be prevalent during their college years. The ASE was predicted by the personal resources, and the risk factor (tiredness lost its significance). The importance of personal resources (SOC and hope subscales) was further emphasised by the mediation model (PROCESS). They mediated the relationships between LD and ASE. These outcomes call for empowering interventional programmes in order to promote hopeful thinking and personal coherence.     

Actively navigating the transition into college: narratives of students with learning disabilities

Students with learning disabilities (LD) are particularly vulnerable in making the school-to-college transition where they negotiate a complex constellation of challenges that include academic demands, social expectations, and emotional/personal growth. Although a substantial body of knowledge exists about college students with LD, it is largely predicated upon both extrinsic supports available to ensure a successful transition into college and ways to maintain that success. In contrast, intrinsic knowledge as the basis of agency exerted by individuals with LD to strategize for their own success has received comparatively little attention. This study uses narrative methodology guided by a theoretical framework of disability studies, to render three nuanced portraits of college students with LD. Participants demonstrate ways in which they manage to navigate the academic, social, and emotional/personal realms when transitioning into college. In doing so, they reveal instances of self-knowledge that are often hidden or overlooked, revealing numerous instances of agency.     

The differential impact of academic self-regulatory methods on academic achievement among university students with and without learning disabilities

Although research on academic self-regulation has proliferated in recent years, no studies have investigated the question of whether the perceived usefulness and the use of standard self-regulated learning strategies and compensation strategies provide a differential prediction of academic achievement for university students with and without learning disabilities (LD). We developed and tested a model explaining interrelationships among self-regulatory variables and grade point average (GPA) using structural equation modeling and multiple group analysis for students with LD (n = 53) and without LD (n = 421). Data were gathered using a new instrument, the Learning Strategies and Study Skills survey. The results of this study indicate that students with LD differed significantly from students without LD in the relationships between their motivation for and use of standard self-regulated learning strategies and compensation strategies, which in turn provided a differential explanation of academic achievement for students with and without LD. These paths of influence and idiosyncrasies of academic self-regulation among students with LD were interpreted in terms of social cognitive theory, metacognitive theory, and research conducted in the LD field.     

Peer tutoring for college students with learning disabilities: perceptions of tutors and tutees

Peer tutoring is a commonly provided support service for students with learning disabilities (LD) in institutions of higher education. A large-scale survey was conducted to evaluate the PERACH peer tutoring project for students with LD at 25 universities, regional colleges, and teacher training colleges in Israel. The purpose of the study was to understand the tutoring process from the point of view of both tutees and tutors with respect to 5 main areas: tutees' needs, focus of tutoring activities, difficulties surrounding the tutoring endeavor, importance of similar study experiences, and satisfaction with the project. It is our supposition that major discrepancies in perceptions are likely to undermine the effectiveness of the tutoring. Similarities and differences in perceptions were identified, and implications that can be useful in guiding service providers are discussed.     

Creating cartoons as representation: visual narratives of college students with learning disabilities

Students with learning disabilities (LD) are the largest sub‐group of all students with disabilities attending college in the United States. However, due to the multiple difficulties involved in transitioning from school to college, many do not succeed during their first year. This article chronicles ways in which three students with LD negotiate academic, social, and personal demands of college. The author‐artist utilizes cartoons drawn to represent meaningful episodes within student experiences. By combining cartoons with personal narratives, participant testimonies reveal powerful ways in which students with LD strategize and self‐advocate in order to survive their transition onto college. After highlighting the strengths and limitations of this approach, a case is made for the potential value of using cartoons for education research.

Das Erarbeiten von Cartoons als Beispiel: Sehberichte von Universitätsstudenten mit Lernbehinderungen

Studenten mit Lernbehinderungen (LD) sind die größte Untergruppe aller Studenten mit Behinderungen an den Universitäten der Vereinigten Staaten. Jedoch auch wegen der vielfachen Schwierigkeiten, die beim Wechseln von der Schule zur Universität überwunden werden müssen, sind viele während ihres ersten Jahres nicht erfolgreich. Dieser Artikel zeigt Wege auf, wie drei Studenten mit Lernbehinderungen akademische, soziale und persönliche Anforderungen mit der Universität aushandeln. Der Autor / Künstler verwendet Cartoons, die gezeichnet wurden, um bedeutungsvolle Episoden innerhalb von Studentenerfahrungen darzustellen. Durch die Kombination von Cartoons mit persönlichen Berichten offenbaren Teilnehmerzeugnisse starke Wege, welche Strategien Studenten mit Lernschwierigkeiten entwickeln und selbst beurteilen, um ihren Übergang auf die Universität zu "überleben”. Nach dem Herausarbeiten der Vorteile und auch der Einschränkungen dieses Ansatzes werden Argumente für den potenziellen Wert gesammelt, Cartoons für die Ausbildungsforschung zu verwenden.

La création de bandes dessinées comme forme de représentation: les récits visuels d’étudiants de 1^er cycle ayant des difficultés d’apprentissage

Les étudiants affectés par des difficultés d’apprentissage constituent le sous‐groupe le plus important de tous les étudiants handicapés inscrits dans un cursus de premier cycle aux Etats Unis. Cependant du fait des difficultés multiples qu’entraîne la transition du secondaire à l’université, beaucoup échouent au cours de leur première année. Cet article relate de quelles façons trois étudiants ayant ces difficultés d’apprentissage abordent les exigences académiques sociales et personnelles de l’enseignement supérieur. L’auteur‐artiste utilise des bandes dessinées représentant des épisodes significatifs vécus par l’étudiant. En associant ces bandes dessinées avec des récits personnels, les témoignages des participants font apparaître avec quelle force les étudiants ayant ces difficultés élaborent des stratégies et se font leurs propres avocats pour survivre à la transition vers les études supérieures. Après avoir souligné les forces et les limites de cette approche, l’auteur plaide pour l’atout que peut constituer l’usage des bandes dessinées pour la recherche en éducation.

La creación de historietas como forma de representación: los relatos visuales de estudiantes del primer ciclo universitario con dificultades de aprendizaje

Los alumnos con discapacidades de aprendizaje (DA) constituyen el sub‐grupo más importante de todos los alumnos con discapacidades matriculados en el primer ciclo de universidades en los Estados Unidos. El problema es que, debido a las numerosas dificultades que conlleva la transición del colegio a la universidad, hay un alto índice de fracasos en el primer año. Este artículo describe de que manera tres alumnos con DA sortean las exigencias académicas, sociales y personales de la enseñanza superior. El autor/artista utiliza historietas dibujadas para representar episodios significativos asociados con las vivencias de los alumnos. A través de la asociación de esas historietas con relatos personales, los testimonios de los participantes revelan con que fuerza los alumnos con DA elaboran estrategias y auto‐defensas para sobrevivir a su transición hacia la universidad. Después de destacar las fuerzas y limitaciones de esa metodologia, el autor aboga por las potencialidades positivas del uso de historietas para la investigación en educación.     

从专科学生学习障碍看数学教学的有效性

在学术界,对学习障碍界定的标准一直存在争议,普遍认为造成学生学习障碍的因素是多方面的,无论是个体心理因素,还是外界因素,甚至是教学环境因素,家庭因素都有可能形成学习障碍。本文将简单的从专科生学习特性、学习障碍基本概念及成因,对数学教学提出自己的建议。     

Lexical access in college students with learning disabilities: an electrophysiological and performance-based investigation

The purpose of this study was to compare the semantic processing abilities of college students with learning disabilities (LD) to those of their peers without learning disabilities (NLD) who were matched for age, gender, and intelligence. Participants were compared on results from the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding (TAWF) and from event-related potential (N400) sampling to the processing of semantically incongruous sentences. The LD and NLD groups did not significantly differ in accuracy on the TAWF; however, students with LD demonstrated a significantly greater number of delayed responses. The LD group's N400 responses were significantly delayed at the Pz electrode site. Effect size indicators also revealed somewhat reduced amplitudes at Fz and Cz locations. The significant delays of the students with LD on standardized testing and on N400 suggest an inefficiency in the semantic processing of these individuals, in both automatic and attention-based aspects of lexical access.     

Cognitive abilities and learning disabilities

Summary The greater discrepancy between spatial vs sequential/conceptual WISC subtest results in learning-disabled children is instrumental to the idea that these children might profit relatively more from an imagery based strategy in organizing and recalling noun pairs and triplets than from a verbal strategy. The results from the present studies with concrete nouns show that this is not the case. Another result is that learning-disabled children’s recall performance is also lower when strategy instructed (except in the first experiment) than normal children’s performance. Suggestions as to which strategy aspects could be responsible are given. This paper is based upon a presentation at the 30th Annual Conference of The Orton Society in Indianapolis, November 1979.     

Faculty willingness to accommodate students with learning disabilities: a comparison among academic divisions

One hundred seven faculty members at a northwestern college responded to a questionnaire devised to assess faculty willingness to provide students with learning disabilities instructional, assignment, examination, and special assistance accommodations. Faculty responses to the questionnaire were analyzed to determine if differences existed among faculty in the colleges of Education, Business, and Arts and Sciences. Results indicate that, in general, faculty were willing to provide students with learning disabilities accommodations, but that differences exist among the three academic divisions as to faculty willingness to provide students accommodations. The implications of these results for colleges and universities and future research are discussed.     

Vocational education and students with learning disabilities

This inquiry focuses on the status of nearly 500 students with learning disabilities in 17 state-operated regional vocational-technical schools in a northeastern state. The inquiry addressed four primary concerns: patterns of assessment, career choice, school marks, and attendance. The data indicate that a variety of instruments were used in the assessment process and that the overall grade equivalent levels of attainment ranged between fifth- and seventh-grade levels. Children defined as learning disabled participated in a large number of vocational trade specialties and some 50% or more had school marks indicating that they were passing in these areas. Attendance was high. Many children with learning disabilities successfully perform in competitive vocational education programs designed to produce proficiency at the level of journey person.     

Hope,optimism and loneliness among first-year college students with learning disabilities: a brief longitudinal study

The goals of the study were to examine personal resources and social distress during the first month in college among students with learning disabilities (LD) and to compare their experiences with non-LD peer. The sample consisted of 335 first-year undergraduate students falling into two groups: 85 students with LD and 250 non-LD students. Questionnaires assessed hope, dispositional optimism and loneliness. We hypothesised that, after participation in a single-session hope intervention workshop, the hope and optimism levels of both students with LD and without LD would increase, while their loneliness would decrease. However, after a month of facing the academic and social demands of their new college environment, we expected that the hope and optimism scores of students with LD would be lower than their peers without LD and that their loneliness scores would be higher. As hypothesised, both groups reported enhanced hope and optimism, as well as lower loneliness, immediately after the workshop. However, students with LD – but not their peers – returned to baseline levels of hope and loneliness after a month. Loneliness after a month predicted lower hope, after controlling predictors from the beginning of the year.     

Why study time does not predict grade point average across college students: Implications of deliberate practice for academic performance

The current work draws upon the theoretical framework of deliberate practice in order to clarify why the amount of study by college students is a poor predictor of academic performance. A model was proposed where performance in college, both cumulatively and for a current semester, was jointly determined by previous knowledge and skills as well as factors indicating quality (e.g., study environment) and quantity of study. The findings support the proposed model and indicate that the amount of study only emerged as a significant predictor of cumulative GPA when the quality of study and previously attained performance were taken into consideration. The findings are discussed in terms of the insights provided by applying the framework of deliberate practice to academic performance in a university setting.