Specifics of psychological and pedagogic correction of deviani behavior in younger adolescents with intellectual disability

Problem and aim. Deviant behavior is not only an alarming phenomenon but also a multitude of social, pedagogic and psychological problems that threaten the society and that became particularly relevant for the young adolescents with intellectual disability. Therefore, the aim of the present article is to reveal the specifics of correctional and developmental work with such children that would provide appropriate interpersonal interaction in the adolescence and the further positive socialization. Methods. The presented study was conducted in three stages (exploratory-preparatory, experimental and control-generalizing stages) with the use of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Results and discussion. The results showed that the predominant from of the deviant behavior was hostility and violence, as well as a tendency for addictive behavior. Diagnostics of the dominant indices of hostility and aggressiveness demonstrated that the aggressiveness index dominated in the majority of adolescents. The majority of adolescents had a very high or high level of indirect hostility and assault, along with suspicion. The correctional program provides correctional effect for the adolescents with low and medium level of proneness to the deviant behavior

Atención escolar al trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad en las comunidades españolas / School assistance for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Spanish autonomous regions

Introducción. En los últimos años, distintas comunidades autónomas españolas han presentado políticas de atención escolar al trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH) o de coordinación entre los servicios de educación y sanidad, que se concretan en protocolos, instrucciones o guías de actuación. Objetivo. Conocer y comparar las propuestas de las distintas comunidades españolas para la atención escolar al TDAH. Sujetos y métodos. Tras una búsqueda de los documentos que recogen estas políticas, se analizó su información para poder compararlos en varias áreas: documento, ámbito de aplicación, detección del TDAH, diagnóstico, medidas escolares, seguimiento de las propuestas de la Guía de práctica clínica sobre el trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad, fundamentación y recursos ofrecidos. Resultados. La Comunidad Valenciana es la única de la que no se ha encontrado documento alguno. No se analizó el de Baleares, por no ser público, y en las comunidades restantes se encuentran diferencias en el cumplimiento de los criterios valorados en cada área. Las políticas de Extremadura, Galicia, Cataluña y Navarra son las que cumplen el mayor número de criterios. Todas las comunidades con políticas sobre el TDAH proponen algún tipo de medida escolar y recursos como bibliografía, contactos o modelos de documentos o herramientas de detección. Todas, menos Madrid, ofrecen información sobre la detección y el diagnóstico del TDAH. Conclusión. Se constatan diferencias entre las propuestas de atención escolar al TDAH en España, y se identifican las de Extremadura, Galicia, Cataluña y Navarra como las más completas (AU)

Introduction. In recent years different Spanish autonomous regions have presented policies on school assistance for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or coordination between the educational and healthcare services, which result in protocols, instructions or guidelines of action. Aim. To determine and compare the proposals put forward by the different Spanish regions with respect to school assistance for ADHD. Subjects and methods. After searching for the documents that contain these policies, the information therein was analysed with the aim of being able to compare them in several different areas: document, scope of application, detection of ADHD, diagnosis, school measures, follow-up of the proposals of the Guidelines on clinical practice in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, grounds and resources offered. Results. The Valencian Region is the only one for which no documents were found. The document for the Balearic Islands was not analysed because it is not public, and in the other regions differences were found in the degree of compliance with the criteria assessed in each area. The policies in Extremadura, Galicia, Catalonia and Navarra are the ones that meet the largest number of criteria. All the regions with policies on ADHD propose some kind of school measures and resources such as bibliographical references, contacts or models of documents or screening tools. All of them, except Madrid, affer information about the detection and diagnosis of ADHD. Conclusion. There are differences among the proposals for school assistance for ADHD in Spain, and those of Extremadura, Galicia, Catalonia and Navarra are found to be the most complete (AU)

Recursos educativos didácticos en el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje / Educational resources in the process teaching learning

El objetivo del presente artículo es dar a conocer la importancia de los recursos educativos didácticos en el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje. La necesidad de utilizar las nuevas Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (nTIC's) y en la creación de recursos educativos. El uso y desarrollo de recursos educativos didácticos, coadyuvará al proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje tanto de docentes como de estudiantes. Además, se describe la clasificación de los recursos educativos: textos impresos, recursos audiovisuales y recursos informáticos de las nTIC's; y un compendio de recursos educativos didácticos informáticos existentes con y sin conexión a Internet. Finalmente, se detalla los diferentes programas informáticos disponibles tanto gratuitos como de pago para la creación de recursos didácticos con la ayuda de las nuevas Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación.

Summary The aim of this article is to present the importance of didactic educational resources in the teaching-learning process. The need to use the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and in the creation of educational resources. The use and development of didactic educational resources will contribute to the teaching and learning process of both teachers and students. In addition, the classif ication ofeducational resources is described: printed texts, audio-visual resources and ICT resources; And a compendium of didactic educational resources existent with and without Internet connection. Finally, it details the different computer programs available as well as for the creation of didactic resources with the help of the new Information and Communication Technologies.

Who is repeating anatomy? Trends in an undergraduate anatomy course.

Anatomy courses frequently serve as prerequisites or requirements for health sciences programs. Due to the challenging nature of anatomy, each semester there are students remediating the course (enrolled in the course for a second time), attempting to earn a grade competitive for admissions into a program of study. In this retrospective study, remediation rates and trends in an undergraduate anatomy course with over 400 students enrolled each semester at a large Midwestern university were identified. Demographic data was collected from spring 2004 to spring 2010, including students' age, ethnicity, major of study, class standing, college admission tests (ACT and SAT®) scores, anatomy laboratory and lecture examination scores, and final anatomy grades for each semester. Eleven percent of the students repeated the course at least once. Gender, ethnicity, major of study and SAT scores were all shown to be associated with whether or not a student would need to repeat the course. On average, students who repeated anatomy demonstrated significant improvements in lecture and laboratory scores when comparing first and second enrollments in anatomy, and therefore also saw improved final course grades in their second enrollment. These findings will aid future instructors to identify and assist at-risk students to succeed in anatomy. Instructors from other institutions may also find the results to be useful for identifying students at risk for struggling.

Acoso escolar. Ciberacoso. Programa de actuación en el sistema educativo / School bullying. Cyber-bullying. Action program in the educational system

No disponible

Relathionship between pedagogical content knowledge and coaching methods

The aim of this study was to know the relationship between the Pedagogical Content Knowledge and the planned Coaching Methods in early phases of basketball learning. The participants were three coaches. Each coaches’ task was analyzed: U’12 male team (n = 394), U’12 female team (n = 427), U’14 female team (n = 459), as well as their own view. The variables studied were PCK’s dimensions and coaching methods. A descriptive and inferential analysis were carried out for the planned tasks (Chi-square, Contingency coefficient y Residuals adjusted standardized) and another one for content of interviews. The outcomes showed the predominance of plays over exercises. There are close ties among the knowledge of the content, curricular pedagogy, goals, players, strategies and contexts that explain the sort of coaching method chosen(AU)

El objeto de este estudio fue conocer las relaciones que se establecen entre el Pedagogical Content Knowledge y los medios de entrenamiento planificados para categorías de iniciación al Baloncesto. Los participantes fueron tres entrenadores. Se analizaron las tareas de entrenamiento diseñadas por estos entrenadores para un equipo alevín masculino (n = 394), alevín femenino (n = 427) e infantil femenino (n = 459), así como la opinión de los entrenadores. Las variables de estudio son las dimensiones del PCK y los Medios de entrenamiento. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y un análisis inferencial para los datos de las tareas planificadas (Chi-cuadrado, Coeficiente de contingencia y Residuos Tipificados Corregidos) y, un análisis del contenido para los datos de la entrevista. Los resultados muestran que existe un predominio del juego por encima del ejercicio. Se encuentran relaciones entre dimensiones del conocimiento de la materia, de la pedagogía, curricular, de los objetivos, de los jugadores, de las estrategias y del contexto que explican la elección por un tipo de medio de entrenamiento u otro(AU)

Sistemas de monitorización continua de la glucosa / Continuous monitoring systems of glucose

La posibilidad de obtener una lectura continua de la glucosa puede representar un gran avance y una herramienta útil para el manejo de la diabetes. Los avances tecnológicos pueden mejorar la calidad de vida y el control metabólico de las personas con diabetes, aunque esto suponga tener que aprender e incorporar nuevos conceptos técnicos, nuevos algoritmos de modificación de pauta y nuevos retos en Educación Terapéutica(AU)

The possibility of obtaining a continuous reading of glucose may represent a breakthrough and a useful tool for the management of diabetes. Technological advances can improve the quality of life and people with diabetes metabolic control, even if this means having to learn and incorporate new technical concepts, new algorithms for pattern modification and new challenges in Therapeutic Education(AU)

Student supports: developmental education and other academic programs.

Low rates of college completion are a major problem in the United States. Less than 60 percent of students at four-year colleges graduate within six years, and at some colleges, the graduation rate is less than 10 percent. Additionally, many students enter higher education ill-prepared to comprehend college-level course material. Some estimates suggest that only one-third of high school graduates finish ready for college work; the proportion is even lower among older students. Colleges have responded to the poor preparation of incoming students by placing approximately 35 to 40 percent of entering freshmen into remedial or developmental courses, along with providing academic supports such as summer bridge programs, learning communities, academic counseling, and tutoring, as well as student supports such as financial aid and child care. Eric Bettinger, Angela Boatman, and Bridget Terry Long describe the role, costs, and impact of these college remediation and academic support programs. According to a growing body of research, the effects of remedial courses are considerably nuanced. The courses appear to help or hinder students differently by state, institution, background, and academic preparedness. The mixed findings from earlier research have raised questions ranging from whether remedial programs, on average, improve student academic outcomes to which types of programs are most effective. Administrators, practitioners, and policy makers are responding by redesigning developmental courses and searching for ways to implement effective remediation programs more broadly. In addition, recent research suggests that colleges may be placing too many students into remedial courses unnecessarily, suggesting the need for further examining the placement processes used to assign students to remedial courses. The authors expand the scope of remediation research by discussing other promising areas of academic support commonly offered by colleges, including advising, tutoring, and mentoring programs, as well as supports that target the competing responsibilities of students, namely caring for dependents and balancing employment with schoolwork. They conclude that the limited resources of institutions and equally limited funds of students make it imperative for postsecondary institutions to improve student academic supports and other services.

Transitions from high school to college.

The vast majority of high school students aspire to some kind of postsecondary education, yet far too many of them enter college without the basic content knowledge, skills, or habits of mind they need to succeed. Andrea Venezia and Laura Jaeger look at the state of college readiness among high school students, the effectiveness of programs in place to help them transition to college, and efforts to improve those transitions. Students are unprepared for postsecondary coursework for many reasons, the authors write, including differences between what high schools teach and what colleges expect, as well as large disparities between the instruction offered by high schools with high concentrations of students in poverty and that offered by high schools with more advantaged students. The authors also note the importance of noncurricular variables, such as peer influences, parental expectations, and conditions that encourage academic study. Interventions to improve college readiness offer a variety of services, from academic preparation and information about college and financial aid, to psychosocial and behavioral supports, to the development of habits of mind including organizational skills, anticipation, persistence, and resiliency. The authors also discuss more systemic programs, such as Middle College High Schools, and review efforts to allow high school students to take college classes (known as dual enrollment). Evaluations of the effectiveness of these efforts are limited, but the authors report that studies of precollege support programs generally show small impacts, while the more systemic programs show mixed results. Dual-enrollment programs show promise, but the evaluation designs may overstate the results. The Common Core State Standards, a voluntary set of goals and expectations in English and math adopted by most states, offer the potential to improve college and career readiness, the authors write. But that potential will be realized, they add, only if the standards are supplemented with the necessary professional development to enable educators to help all students meet academic college readiness standards, a focus on developing strong noncognitive knowledge and skills for all students, and the information and supports to help students prepare and select the most appropriate postsecondary institution.

Autoeficacia y utilidad percibida como condiciones necesarias para un aprendizaje académico autorregulado / Self-efficacy and perceived utility as necessary conditions for self-regulated academic learning

En el marco de la teoría social cognitiva, en este trabajo se investiga en qué medida el rendimiento escolar (Lengua y Matemáticas) puede ser explicado por el uso de estrategias de aprendizaje autorregulado y cómo este tipo de comportamiento deseable puede estar condicionado por la utilidad percibida de su uso y por la competencia percibida para su ejecución. Para completar el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, se plantea que los niveles de estas variables hipotéticamente centrales en el aprendizaje están significativamente influenciados por el tiempo de estudio, el curso actual y el grado de fracaso escolar (número de cursos repetidos). El ajuste del modelo se ha llevado a cabo en base a una muestra de 750 estudiantes de enseñanza básica (entre 12 y 15 años) seleccionados aleatoriamente por grupo de un total de diez colegios. Los resultados obtenidos muestran, en la dirección de lo hipotetizado, que a mayor uso de estrategias de autorregulación del proceso de aprendizaje mayor es el rendimiento, y viceversa, y que el uso de dichas estrategias depende fuertemente de la utilidad percibida de tal comportamiento y de la autoeficacia para su uso efectivo. Estos datos sugieren la importancia de que los profesores utilicen estrategias de autorregulación en las tareas previstas en el currículo, aplicándolas a situaciones concretas de aprendizaje y entrenando su transferencia para otros contextos y tareas escolares, ya que esto hará más visible su utilidad y la práctica generará competencia percibida en los alumnos (AU)

Grounded on the social cognitive perspective, the current investigation aims at evaluating, through a structural equation model, the extent to which school achievement (Portuguese and Math) can be explained by using self-regulated learning strategies and how those self-regulated behaviors can be affected by perceived instrumentality as well as by students’ perceived competence to manage learning strategies adequately. In order to develop the structural equation model the hypothesized learning variables previously referred are supposed to be significantly affected by students’ study time, grade level and school underachievement (number of years failed at school). The EQS model has been developed with a sample of 750 Portuguese students attending compulsory education (12 to 15 years old) randomly selected among a larger group of students from ten different schools. Data confirm the importance of teachers’ using embedded self-regulated strategies in the academic tasks assigned to their students, promoting their transference to other contexts and different academic activities, once this teaching practice will be a privileged way to make learning strategies’ usefulness clear and to ensure the promotion of students’ perceived competence (AU)

Vivenciando las necesidades de apoyo en la enfermedad mental / Discovering support needs in mental illness

La enfermedad mental, entendida bajo el paraguas de la discapacidad, ha comenzado recientemente a ser objeto de análisis en el contexto multidimensional de la calidad de vida. Bajo el modelo social de discapacidad se ha generado un enfoque centrado en la persona que se nutre de la medición de las necesidades de apoyo para acceder a una vida en condiciones de igualdad. La medición de tales necesidades requiere ser contextualizada en el medio y cultura en el que se encuentran las personas. Bajo la metodología fundada en los datos como referente metodológico y a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas hemos identificado categorías centrales de dependencia y estilo de cuidado, relacionadas con la enfermedad y las respuestas a la misma. Todo ello se analiza desde el marco del modelo social de la discapacidad (AU)

Mental illness, understood under the umbrella term disability, has recently begun to be the subject of analyses in the multidimensional context of the quality of life. Under the social disability model, an approach has been generated focused on the person who draws on the measurement of required support to gain access to a life with equal opportunities. The measurement of such needs requires being contextualized in the environment and culture in which the people find themselves. Under the methodology based on the data as a reference method performed between October 2008 and February 2009, a series of interviews. Results: We have identified the representations and answers to the illness, related to the central categories dependency and type of care. All of this is analyzed from the framework of the social disability model (AU)

Evolución y Desarrollo de los Modelos de Intervención Psicoeducativa en España / Development and Evolution in Spain of Models of Psycho-educational Intervention

En el presente trabajo se plantean algunas reflexiones sobre la intervención del psicólogo en el Sistema Educativo. Para ello se revisan algunos de los factores que han condicionado el desarrollo de la Psicología Educativa aplicada en España, analizando sus orígenes y líneas de evolución, así como los aspectos de presencia profesional y rol. Asimismo se exponen las dificultades que se han presentado en dicho desarrollo y las posibles perspectivas de futuro de la intervención psicoeducativa paralelamente a las características de las actividades formativas que pueden garantizar una actuación profesional de calidad y al servicio de la comunidad social (AU)

In this study, we present some reflections on interventions by psychologists in the Educational System. To this end, we review some factors that have conditioned the development of applied educational psychology in Spain, analyzing their origins and evolution, as well as aspects of professional presence and role. We also set out the difficulties that have arisen in the past, and the possible future development of psycho-educational intervention. At the same time, the types of training activities that can best ensure quality performance and social service community are also described (AU)

Performance of academically at-risk medical students in a problem-based learning programme: a preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Racially segregated schooling, a legacy of Apartheid policies, continues to hamper education in South Africa. Students entering university from suboptimal circumstances are at significant risk of demonstrating poor academic performance and dropping out of their programmes. Attempts to address the educational needs of these students have included the introduction of extended medical programmes at several universities. Such a programme, the Academic Development Programme (ADP), was implemented at the University of Cape Town in 1991. Over the past decade the programme has graduated more than 100 students. Upon implementation of a new problem-based learning (PBL) programme in 2002, the ADP was discontinued and all students were entered directly into the new PBL programme. Students who demonstrate a need for additional academic support by the end of the first semester enter the Intervention Programme for 1 year before proceeding to the second semester of the PBL programme. An interim analysis was performed to compare the retention rates and academic performance of academically at-risk students in the new PBL programme and the ADP. METHODS: The records of all academically at-risk students entering the ADP (1991-2000) and the new PBL programme (2002) were reviewed. Retention rates for all years of study, and academic performance in the fourth year clerkship courses of the respective programmes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 239 academically at-risk students in the ADP and 43 at-risk students in the new PBL programme were studied. The median retention rates, per year of study, for at-risk students in the PBL programme was significantly better than for at-risk students in the ADP (p<0.02). Academic performance of the at-risk students in all the fourth year clinical clerkship courses of the PBL programme was significantly better than the mean performance over 10 years for at-risk students in the same fourth year courses in the ADP. CONCLUSION: The introduction of PBL at the University of Cape Town has not had a deleterious effect on the performance of academically at-risk medical students. Interim analysis suggests that retention rates and academic performance in the PBL programme are better than those achieved in the extended traditional programme.

Consideraciones sobre el uso de los procedimientos naturalistas para la intervención en logopedia / Some reflexions about naturalistic intervention in speech therapy

En el presente trabajo se exponen algunas ideas sobre la aplicación de los procedimientos naturalistas en logopedia. Después de una breve presentación de los fundamentos de este tipo de intervención, en el artículo se comentan las ventajas e inconvenientes de su uso, comparándolos con los procedimientos tradicionales. También se alerta sobre algunos usos erróneos y sus posibles causas sobre acabar con la aportación de sugerencias sobre la formación de logopedas que deseen emplear la intervención naturalista con profesionalidad

This article discusses some of the current ideas on applied naturalistic intervention procedures in speech therapy. After a brief presentation of the underlying principles of naturalistic intervention, the article comments on the advantages and drawbacks of its use while comparing it to the traditional procedures used in speech therapy. At the same time it warns of the erroneous notions and uses that surround it and their probable causes. The article ends with suggestions for practitioners who whish to implement the naturalist intervention procedures in a professional way

Autoestima y refuerzo en estudiantes de 5º básico de una escuela de alto riesgo / Self-esteem and reinforcement in children from 10 to 11 years, students of a school of high risk

Este artículo describe los resultados de una investigación cuasi experimental, de grupo experimental y control con pretest - postest, que tuvo como propósito probar un tratamiento basado en un programa de refuerzo de intervalo variable, cuya finalidad era modificar la autoestima escolar de niños entre 10 y 11 años, definidos como de 'alto riesgo”11 años, definidos como de “alto riesgo' por pr por presentar altos índices de repetición de cursos, ausentismo y deserción, que son alumnos de la escuela La Bandera, E-97, colegio de administración municipal, perteneciente a la comuna de Antofagasta, Chile. Teniendo como antecedente el nivel de autoestima medida con el test de Aysén, antes de iniciar el tratamiento, el grupo experimental modifica su autoestima al finalizar el tratamiento disminuyendo a cero el porcentaje de alumnos con autoestima baja e incrementando de 12,8% a 20,5% el grupo de autoestima de rango alto. Por su parte, el grupo control presenta un 7,7% en el grupo de niños con autoestima baja y una disminución de 20,5 a 15,4% en los estudiantes que se ubican en el rango superior de autoestima. No obstante, los resultados no fueron significativos a un nivel de 95% de confianza

This article describes the results of an quasi-experimental investigation, of experimental and control group with pretest - postest, that had like purpose to test a processing based on a variable interval reinforcement program, whose purpose was to modify the school self-esteem in children from 10 to 11 years, defined as of 'high risk' by presenting high courses repetition indices, absenteeism and desertion, that are students of the school La Bandera, E - 97, school of municipal administration, belonging to the commune of Antofagasta, Chile. Having as preceding the level of measured self-esteem with the test of Aysén, before initiating the processing, the experimental group modifies its self-esteem to finalize the processing diminishing to zero the percentage of students with low self-esteem and increasing from 12,8% to 20,5% the high rank self-esteem group. In turn, the group control presents a 7,7% in the group of children with low self-esteem and a decrease from 20,5 to 15,4% the students that are located in the upper rank of selfesteem. Nevertheless, the results were not significant to a level of 95% of confidence

An innovative approach to remedial continuing medical education, 1992-2002.

The authors describe the process of remedial retraining programs organized and planned for Quebec physicians by the College des medecins du Quebec (CMQ) and report the outcomes of these efforts from April 1992 to March 2002. The CMQ (the Quebec medical licensing authority) developed a process to identify physicians who had shortcomings in their clinical performance, determine their educational needs, propose, in collaboration with the four medical schools in the province, personalized retraining programs (clinical training programs, tutorials, focused readings, workshops, and refresher courses), and subsequently evaluate the impact of these retraining programs. During the ten-year period reported, 305 physicians (216 family physicians and 89 specialists) were referred to the Practice Enhancement Division of the CMQ for personalized remedial retraining. The vast majority of these physicians were men (81%). The following difficulties were identified: therapeutic knowledge (37%), diagnostic knowledge (32%), record-keeping (14%), technical skills (10%), clinical judgment (5%), and communication skills (2%). A total of 329 personalized retraining programs were completed: 273 clinical training programs, 41 tutorials, and 15 focused readings. A reevaluation of all these physicians showed that 70% of the retraining programs had succeeded, 15% were partially successful and only 13% had failed. The remaining 2% involved missing data or withdrawal of physicians. The authors conclude that the collaborative CME process described has important and effective original features.

Putting struggling readers on the PHAST track: a program to integrate phonological and strategy-based remedial reading instruction and maximize outcomes.

PHAST (for Phonological and Strategy Training) is a research-based remedial reading program that attempts to capitalize upon current research on reading disabilities and their remediation. The focus of the program is on the primary obstacles to word identification learning and independent decoding that most disabled readers face and the steps necessary to help these children achieve independent reading skills. A framework of phonologically based remediation was used as a foundation upon which a set of flexible and effective word identification strategies were scaffolded in an integrated developmental sequence. The program uses a combination of direct instruction and dialogue-based metacognitive training, with the pedagogical emphasis shifting from an initial direct instruction, remedial focus to increasingly metacognitive-strategy-based methods. A continuum of intervention over 70 hours provides both (a) remediation of the basic phonological awareness and letter-sound-learning deficits of disabled readers and (b) specific training of five word identification strategies that offer different approaches to the decoding of unfamiliar words and exposure to different levels of subsyllabic segmentation. Explicit instruction in the application and monitoring of multiple word identification strategies and their application to text-reading activities continues throughout the PHAST Program. PHAST training provides the disabled reader with the opportunity to become a flexible reader who approaches new words in or out of context with multiple strategies and has the ability to evaluate the success of their application. The PHAST Program was developed following the controlled evaluation of its components in laboratory classroom settings and recent positive results from their sequential combination. PHAST represents a new integrated approach to programming in this area using instructional components that have already demonstrated their efficacy with children with severe reading disabilities.

The influence of extended-year schooling on growth of achievement and perceived competence in early elementary school.

The influence of additional school days on academic and psychosocial skills was examined through comparison of an extended-year program (210 days) with a traditional program (180 days). Kindergartners matched on background characteristics and magnet school attendance received tests of mathematics, reading, general knowledge, vocabulary, and perceived competence at the beginning (Fall K) and end (Spring K) of the traditional kindergarten year and at the beginning of the next traditional year (Fall 1). Although groups performed equivalently at Fall K, extended-year students outperformed traditional students at Fall 1 in mathematics, reading, and general knowledge and had higher levels of cognitive competence. Mathematics and reading achievement differences at Fall 1 were not associated with differences in the quality or intensity of educational efforts made during the traditional school year (i.e., Fall K to Spring K) or to differences between teachers in the traditional and extended-year programs. Results indicated that providing students with additional instruction time by lengthening the school year could be a promising educational reform.

Chemical dependency in students with and without learning disabilities.

To determine if students with learning disabilities (LD) demonstrate a higher frequency of chemical dependency than students without learning disabilities (NLD), a total of 191 adolescents with LD (101 males and 90 females) were given the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI). The sample consisted of 88 students with LD and 103 NLD students between the ages of 12 and 18. The SASSI is an objectively scored self-report inventory that accurately classifies adolescents as chemically dependent (CD) or not chemically dependent (NCD). A significantly higher proportion of students with LD than NLD students were classified as CD. Of the 30 students who were classified as CD, 70% were students with LD. A discriminant analysis indicated that the presence or absence of a learning disability was a better predictor of classification as CD or NCD than gender, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, or family composition. The implications for evaluation and educational planning for students with learning disabilities are discussed.