Effects of the failure free reading program on students with severe reading disabilities.

Reading problems are among the most prevalent concerns for those who teach students with learning disabilities. In the present research, 39 students with severe reading problems were taught word recognition and comprehension skills using the failure free Reading Program. The intervention is based on principles identified in research on successful reading programs. Key steps in the program included (a) previewing the story, (b) listening to the story being read, (c) presenting content from the story, (d) reading the story, and (e) reviewing the story. Improved performance in letter-word identification, word attack, comprehension, and dictation was evident after intensive intervention. Discrepancies between intellectual ability and reading achievement decreased in more than half of the students. The failure free Reading Program seems to hold promise for improving reading in students with learning disabilities.

Re-inventing government? Let's re-invent special education.

Persistent problems in meeting the intent of Public Law 94-142 (and its reauthorization legislation) are caused by the failure of federal and state leaders to collaborate beyond the boundaries of current policies to develop new approaches to meeting the learning needs of students with disabilities. Much of the hindrance derives from problems with current referral-to-placement procedures. This article proposes a way to escape from the quagmire of laws, regulations, and policies that make special education costly rather than free and that inhibit teachers from developing appropriate educational strategies.

Open enrollment and students with disabilities: issues, concerns, fears, and anticipated benefits.

Open enrollment is a hotly debated form of educational choice. More than 25 states have legislation establishing or expanding public school choice options. At an issues clarification working session, professionals, legislators, policymakers, parents, and students described issues and generated implications for serving students with disabilities. Participants identified three kinds of issues for districts and students: outcome, implementation, and demographic. Participants also expressed other concerns about choice: pupil benefit, parent involvement (or convenience), teacher/administrator job protection, change, and teacher workload.

Teacher competency testing: what are special education teachers expected to know?

Teacher competency testing (TCT) is a current manifestation of education reform; 48 of the 50 states are actively planning or implementing teacher testing programs, and 25 (plus the District of Columbia) are developing or administering tests in specific subject areas to include special education. This article presents the results of a nationwide survey that addressed TCT in special education. Responses were collected from 46 states and the District of Columbia. Analyses of results revealed that states vary in their use of teacher competency tests and that specific special education teacher competency tests are used or being actively studied in about half the states. Implications for the practice of special education are provided.

Teacher competency testing: what teachers of students with LD need to know.

In 1964, North Carolina became the first state to enact a testing program for initial certification of teachers. Today, almost all states and the District of Columbia are actively planning or implementing teacher testing programs; six are administering tests in the specific area of learning disabilities. The objectives and content areas of knowledge included in competency testing programs within this specialized area of teacher competence were analyzed, and comparisons were completed across knowledge areas and among states. In general, much similarity exists in what teachers of students with learning disabilities in different states are expected to know. This information represents a strong foundation for planning, implementing, and evaluating training programs for all teachers.

Prison adjustment of youthful inmates with mental retardation.

Adaptation of young inmates with and without mental retardation to prison regime was examined. The mean number of disciplinary reports received across five categories of infractions were compared. Differences were evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and follow-up tests. Results indicated that (a) youthful mentally retarded and nonretarded prison inmates did not adjust to incarceration in a similar manner and (b) behavior in prison was significantly different across certain measures by group. Inmates with mental retardation demonstrated poor overall adjustment in prison.

Characteristics of teachers of emotionally disturbed adolescents.

The National Secondary Society School Survey was conducted to obtain information regarding the "state-of-the-art" in service delivery to learning disabled and emotionally disturbed adolescents. Volunteer teachers in all fifty states completed a survey instrument regarding their own characteristics and those of their students and educational programs. The results of analyses of the responses of 320 secondary level teachers of emotionally disturbed adolescents to questionnaire items regarding their personal and educational characteristics are presented and discussed.