COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF WRITING INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES: A SYNTHESIS OF THE LITERATURE

Twenty‐three single‐subject studies aimed at improving the writing achievement of students identified as having a learning disability were analyzed meta‐analytically. The effect size phi was used to compare the writing strategies. The dependent measures used to assess the efficacy of the interventions were also coded and reviewed. Results suggest intervention studies using the self‐regulated strategy development (SRSD) or a non‐SRSD writing strategy produced high effect sizes, suggesting the overall success of the writing interventions. Findings also indicate the 23 studies used a total of 39 dependent measures, which show the way writing achievement is measured varies greatly. Furthermore, many of the dependent measures were not standardized or technically sound.     

EXAMINING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS’ PERSPECTIVES ABOUT SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Debate regarding the causes of specific learning disabilities (SLDs), precise definitions of SLDs, and the most effective identification methods has persisted for over 50 years. Two prominent schools of thought regarding SLDs exist: (1) biological perspectives and (2) environmental perspectives. Three identification methods are outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act of 2004 (IDEA, 2004) and align themselves to the different perspectives: (1) the IQ‐Achievement discrepancy method, (2) the response‐to‐intervention method, and (3) alternative research based procedures (e.g., evaluation of a student's pattern of strengths and weaknesses; PSW). This study used survey methodology (N = 471) and found that school psychologists’ perspectives about SLDs were significantly correlated with preferred identification methods. Preferred identification methods impacted practice even after controlling for individual‐ and school‐level variables. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

SUPPORT NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: AGE‐RELATED IMPLICATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT

The Supports Intensity Scale–Children's Version (SIS‐C) was developed to assess the support needs of children and youth aged 5 to 16 years with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Data from the standardization sample of the SIS‐C were analyzed to evaluate the impact of the age cohorts (5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, and 15–16 years) used to stratify the sample on the measurement model, as well as the latent means, standard deviations, and correlations. The findings confirmed measurement invariance across age cohorts, but suggested that at the latent level, younger children, generally, have more intensive support needs and that as students with intellectual disability age, their support needs decrease. In addition, the 15‐ to 16‐year‐old cohort displayed differences in terms of the strength of correlations between support need domains, with stronger correlations than the other age groups. Implications for future research and practice are described.     

家庭因素与儿童学习障碍

儿童学习障碍是国际心理学界和教育界关注的一个重要问题,其形成、发展与家庭教养态度、教养方式、家庭文化氛围等有关。因此,家长应积极参与并改进对学习障碍儿童的教育,同时,社会应通过各种途径促进家长参与学习障碍儿童教育     

DEFINING THE UNDEFINABLE: OPERATIONALIZATION OF METHODS TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES AMONG PRACTICING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Accurate and consistent identification of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) is crucial; however, state and district guidelines regarding identification methods lack operationalization and are inconsistent throughout the United States. In the current study, the authors surveyed 471 school psychologists about school SLD identification guidelines and the identification methods actually used (e.g., ability‐achievement discrepancy, response‐to‐intervention, and the evaluation of students’ pattern of strengths and weaknesses). Results indicated that nearly half the participants were allowed or required to choose the method of identification that ensured students received services, if the school‐based team determined services were warranted. Variations in SLD identification methods were also found between schools with different characteristics (e.g., location, school level, and student composition). Implications for practice are discussed.     

小学残疾儿童的“社会融合”研究:教师的期望和对其中关键因素的评价

本文论述了在4所小学里对正常儿童和残疾儿童的“社会融合”所作的研究。本研究采用自由询问法，共有16位教师参加了研究；询问涉及以下几个方面：社会融合的意义、现状、妨碍融合的因素、家长的参与、资源、融合的方法以及令人担心的问题等。对每个问题的期望和评价都做了阐述。本研究对促进残疾儿童的社会融合在实践和研究工作上都是很有意义的。     

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL LEVEL PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN OVERCOMING CUMULATIVE RISK FOR BEHAVIOR DIFFICULTIES IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES

The study investigated whether school‐level protective factors could moderate the effects cumulative risk has upon behavior difficulties in children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The sample comprised 4,288 children identified with SEND: 2,660 pupils within 248 primary schools, and 1,628 pupils within 57 secondary schools. Risk factors associated with increases in behavior difficulties over an 18‐month period were summed to a cumulative risk score. Various school‐level factors were added to multilevel models, with interaction terms computed between cumulative risk and these variables to assess their potential protective effects. The primary school model revealed a significant interaction between cumulative risk and school academic achievement in predicting behavior difficulties. Higher levels of achievement in primary schools help reduce behavior difficulties for children most at risk. The secondary school model evidenced a significant interaction between cumulative risk and school percentage of students eligible for free school meals (FSM). Lower proportions within a school of children eligible for FSM were associated with reductions in behavior difficulties for children at high levels of risk. Interventions aimed at improving school‐level academic achievement and targeting high‐risk students attending schools with large proportions of children eligible for FSM would be beneficial.     

TEACHERS’ MINDSETS FOR STUDENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES

Research suggests beliefs about the stability of ability can be dichotomized into two mindsets: fixed and growth (Dweck, 1999 ). Teachers’ (n = 238) beliefs regarding the stability of ability (mindset) and the stability of ability for 4 hypothetical students scenarios (mindset for scenarios) were measured. Mindset scores were related to mindset for scenario scores. Moreover teachers demonstrated increased neutral mindset scores and decreased fixed mindset scores for hypothetical student scenarios with no discernible differences for student gender or disability status.     

北京市残疾儿童、少年随班就读调查报告

大力开展残疾儿童少年随班就读是普及残疾儿童义务教育的需要。它既符合国情，是发展残疾儿童少年义务教育的主要形式，也符合国际上残疾儿童少年教育发展的大趋势。“七五”中期至“八五”期间，北京市在开展盲、低视力、聋和重听以及轻度弱智儿童随班就读方面进行了较为广泛的实验。这次对随班就读工作的全面调查和分析，为贯彻北京市特殊教育“九五”发展规划中提出的“巩固、发展、完善、提高”一方针，使北京市残疾儿童随班就读工作发展到一个新的水平，提供借鉴和参考。     

天津市残疾儿童、少年随班就读调查报告

通过典型调查，就天津市九年义务教育的基本情况、现有的特殊教育评估体系、随班就读的规模、安置形式、分布情况及各界的态度反映和对随班就读的教学、管理、评估与师资培训等十二个方面问题进行研究，反映出天津市随班就读效果的实际情况，并通过调查探索残疾儿童少年成功随班就读的决定因素，为推广随班就读的原则、措施、方法提供理论依据，促进这项事业更快发展。     

上海市残疾儿童、少年随班就读工作调研报告

通过对上海市残疾儿童、少年随班就读工作调查，上海市取得的主要经验表现在组织管理、政策保障、入学鉴定、就学管理、师资培训、教学研究方面，同时对随班就读存在的问题加以明确。本文在对随班就读教师、家长问卷调查结果分析基础上指出：教师和家长在随班就读工作中起重要作用。     

ENHANCING FACULTY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

An increasing number of students with disabilities are enrolling in postsecond‐ary institutions. To better serve these students, faculty, administrators and counselors must develop an understanding of the needs of students with disabilities and how to make accommodations for their success. An inservice program that targeted skills in enhancing awareness of student needs, meeting legal mandates for accommodations, and developing a team approach to serving students is presented. As a result of participation in the inservice program, all community colleges in the Commonwealth have instituted an advisory council that addresses the academic environment and needed support services for students with disabilities.     

LEARNING DISABILITIES PROGRAMS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Students with learning disabilities (LD) from selected Midwest colleges and universities participated in a study to determine the differences between LD programs at community colleges and four-year institutions; the level of satisfaction with college LD programming; and the services most important to students. Focus groups were held at five institutions including two community colleges, two independent institutions, and one public university. Focus group participants included male and female students aged 16 to 56 years and enrolled in freshmen through graduate levels. The literature suggests that the focus of LD programs and the types of services vary between two-year and four-year institutions due to differences in missions and the characteristics of the students served. However, results from the data in the present study reveal that the types of LD services offered among the institutions participating in the research were quite similar, but the quality of services varied. Students at the large public university had difficulty getting note takers, books on tape and tutors, and obtaining adequate assistance from LD staff. Participants from the smaller community colleges and private colleges and universities considered the smallness of their institutions to be a benefit. The LD program was easily accessible and LD staff were always available. Although the participants in the study who had received LD services in high school believed the services at their college or university were comparable or better, existing programs need to be evaluated to identify services in need of improvement.     

EVOLUTION,NOT REVOLUTION: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS’ CHANGING PRACTICES IN DETERMINING SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES

The profession of school psychology has been impacted by the response to intervention (RTI) model in various ways. RTI data are being used to make decisions regarding academic and behavioral interventions and to make eligibility determinations in comprehensive evaluations conducted by multidisciplinary teams. A survey of almost 400 school psychologist practitioners reveals a changing landscape in terms of school psychologists’ methods of determining eligibility for specific learning disabilities (SLD) in RTI site and non‐RTI site schools. The survey also brings to light differences between numbers of initial evaluations and levels of challenge and job satisfaction. Implications of these changes and future directions for research are discussed.