Diane Haager

Parent, Teacher, Peer, and Self-Reports of the Social Competence of Students with Learning Disabilities

The social competence of students with learning disabilities (LD), low achievement (LA), and average to high achievement (AHA) was examined from the perspectives of parents, teachers, peers, and self, guided by a theoretical model of social competence (Vaughn & Hogan, 1990) that includes social skills, behavior problems, peer relations, and self-perceptions. Parent ratings of social skills did not differ significantly among achievement groups; however, for two factors of behavior problems (internalizing and hyperactivity), students with LD and LA were rated as having more problems than AHA students. Teachers perceived students with LD and LA as demonstrating poorer social skills and more behavior problems than AHA students. Peer ratings indicated that students with LD and LA were less liked by peers than were AHA students, yet only LA students received significantly higher peer rejection. Self-reports differentiated the groups on one factor: cooperation. Discussion focuses on the complexity of social competence as a construct, and explanations of the results are offered.

Early Reading Intervention for English Language Learners At-Risk for Learning Disabilities: Student and Teacher Outcomes in an Urban School

Student and teacher outcomes following the first year of implementation of an early reading intervention project designed to improve literacy outcomes in one urban school are described. The intervention was delivered through ongoing supplemental reading instruction for English language learners (ELLs) at-risk of reading failure. Students at-risk for reading-related learning disabilities were identified using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), a performance-based reading assessment. Students at-risk and students with learning disabilities (LD) received supplemental small-group reading instruction provided by the classroom teacher and support personnel implementing an inclusive special education program. Results indicated positive growth for ELLs, with a disproportionately large percentage of students falling into the risk range. At-risk and LD students showed steady improvement, supporting the coupling of an inclusive special education program with reading intervention in the primary grades. Teacher reports indicated that professional development should be grounded in the reality of classroom experience.

Exploring The Role of Teacher Quality in Predicting Reading Outcomes for First-Grade English Learners An Observational Study

The first portion of this article describes the development and validation of a classroom observation measure. The goal of the measure was to assess the quality of reading instruction provided to first-grade English learners. We report the internal consistency reliability, interrater reliability, the development of empirically derived subscales, and the criterion-related validity of the subscales. The latter was moderately high for three of the six subscales (range = .62—.65) and moderate for the three others (range = .49—.57). The second portion of this article includes a contrasted groups analysis of the four classes with the lowest and highest growth in reading. We conclude with a presentation of the major themes and issues that emerged in the qualitative field notes.

Social Competence as a Multifaceted Construct: How do Students with Learning Disabilities Fare?

This article summarizes and extends the findings from a prospective, longitudinal study that examined the social competence of students with learning disabilities (LD) from kindergarten through fifth grade. Four components that represent a model of social competence were measured: peer relations, social cognition, behavior problems, and social skills. Findings revealed that over time youngsters with LD demonstrated the same trends on all aspects of social competence as nonLD students. Students with LD did not differ significantly from low-achieving (LA) nonLD students on any of the measures of social competence; however, they were significantly different from average/high-achieving (AHA) nonLD students on social skills and behavior problems, but not peer acceptance or self-concept. The discussion addresses the social competence of students with LD from a developmental perspective as well as how they contrast with other achievement groups (LA and AHA). Issues and suggestions for future directions for research on the social-emotional development of youngsters with LD are presented.

Promises and Cautions regarding Using Response to Intervention with English Language Learners

This article provides a commentary on issues regarding the use of response to intervention (RTI) with English language learners (ELLs). The commentary draws on current literature on reading instruction, ELLs, RTI, and students with learning disabilities and highlights key points from the articles in this special issue. The discussion includes future directions for research.

Teaching Practice and the Reading Growth of First‐Grade English Learners: Validation of an Observation Instrument

Validation of a classroom observation measure for use with English Learners (ELs) in grade 1 was the focus of this study. Fourteen teachers were observed during reading and language arts instruction with an instrument used to generate ratings of instructional quality on a number of dimensions. In these classrooms we assessed the reading performance of all ELs, as well as a sample of native English speakers, at the beginning and end of the school year. Technical characteristics of the observation measure and the reading growth of ELs are described. The major finding was that observers were able to rate instructional practice in a way that predicted classroom reading growth. Correlations were on the order of .6 to .75, indicating a relatively strong relation between ratings of instructional practice and student reading growth. We interpret the relation between classroom instruction and ELs’ reading growth using a framework of measurement validity developed by Messick that proposes an integrated conception of validity. We use the framework to discuss data analysis and interpretation and the potential implications of these interpretations for instruction and for professional development in early reading with ELs.

Social Assessments of Students with Learning Disabilities: Do They Measure Up?

This chapter examines social assessments frequently used with students with learning disabilities. While there are a number of teacher and parent rating scales of social skills and behavior problems, this chapter will not address these measures (see for review, Gresham, 1986). Instead, this chapter will examine assessment procedures that relate to three increasingly important factors of childhood social competence: peer ratings and nominations, observations, and measures of self-perception.

“That’s My Job” Comparing the Beliefs of More and Less Accomplished Special Educators Related to Their Roles and Responsibilities

The purpose of this study is to understand special education teachers’ beliefs regarding their roles and responsibilities and to determine how these beliefs differ among more and less accomplished teachers. In this study, the authors examine the interviews of special education teachers identified as either more or less accomplished based on the Reading in Special Education (RISE) observation instrument. Through qualitative coding of the data, several themes about beliefs revealed differences between the teachers. The more accomplished teachers discussed a need for instructional intensity and linked their roles and responsibilities to academic needs. Furthermore, a sense of high efficacy was seen in more accomplished teachers’ discussion of teaching regardless of outside influences. Less accomplished teachers focused on building relationships and protecting their students. Findings point to the importance of looking closely at beliefs and their impact on teacher practice.

Literacy Learning Cohorts: Content-Focused Approach to Improving Special Education Teachers' Reading Instruction.

Two professional development (PD) models for teachers were compared on teacher and student outcomes. Special education teachers participated in Literacy Learning Cohorts (LLC), a PD innovation designed to improve content and pedagogical knowledge for providing reading instruction to upper elementary students with learning disabilities. The LLC, based on Desimone’s (2009) framework, included 2 days of initial PD with follow-up meetings, coaching, and video self-analysis. A comparison group received only 2 days of PD. Results of independent t tests and analyses of covariance indicated that LLC teachers demonstrated significant change in instructional time allotted to, and quality of, word study and fluency instruction. LLC teachers also made significantly greater gains on the fluency knowledge measure as compared with the comparison group, but they did not differ in word study knowledge. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed that students of LLC teachers made significantly greater gains on word attack skills and decoding efficiency than did students of teachers in the comparison group.