Wendy Cavendish

Identification of Learning Disabilities Implications of Proposed DSM-5 Criteria for School-Based Assessment

This article examines the recommended eligibility determination for learning disabilities (LD) in both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and the proposed changes in diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. The focus is on the inclusion of the criterion of responsiveness to intervention (RTI) and the implications for practice of school psychologists and general and special education teachers. The research base on RTI for diagnostic purposes is examined, and considerations of changing roles for clinicians and school-based practitioners are discussed.

The Proposed Changes for DSM-5 for SLD and ADHD: International Perspectives—Australia, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States

This article presents an international perspective of the proposed changes to the DSM-5 for learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) across ten countries: Australia, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We provide perspectives of the present situation for youth with LD and youth with ADHD and describe the legislation, prevalence rates, and educational systems that serve students with disabilities in the respective countries. We also present a discussion of the expected impact of the proposed changes for the diagnosis of LD and ADHD in each country.

Academic Attainment During Commitment and Postrelease Education–Related Outcomes of Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth With and Without Disabilities

Youth with disabilities are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice populations and their education-related outcomes and rates of high school graduation are poor. This study examined academic characteristics of youth with and without disabilities (N = 4,066) and reports on the education-related outcomes of these youth 3 years after release from juvenile justice facilities in Florida. During commitment, youth with disabilities earned high school credits and grade point averages on par with their peers without disabilities. The number of credits earned during commitment improved the likelihood that youth returned to school after release. However, only 44% of the school-age cohort returned to school after release. Students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD) returned to school at higher rates but did not maintain gains made during commitment as they earned significantly fewer high school diplomas after return to school. Implications for transition practice are discussed.

The role of gender, race/ethnicity, and disability status on the relationship between student perceptions of school and family support and self-determination

The role of gender, race/ethnicity, and disability category in the relationship between student perceptions of family support of personal growth and school facilitation of student involvement and the development of self-determination was examined in a sample of 190 diverse high school students with disabilities. Results indicated that both school and family support was positively related to self-determination. Disability group and gender were significant contributors to level of self-determination of students whereas age and race/ethnicity were not. Implications for practice include a discussion of ways in which schools can provide collaborative opportunities for the development of self-determination that are sensitive to individual youth differences.

Differences in the Relationship Between Family Environments and Self-Determination Among Anglo, Latino, and Female Students With Disabilities

The role of gender and ethnicity as moderators of the relationship between perceived family environments and levels of self-determination was examined in a sample of students with disabilities. A sample of 157 Latino and Anglo students with disabilities completed the Family Environment Scale and the Arc Self-Determination Scale. Results indicated Latino and female students reported significantly higher levels of self-determination than Anglo male students. Differences were also found among Latino, Anglo, and female students in the relationship between perceived family environments and self-determination. Implications include developing ways families and schools can provide conditions to nurture self-determination and transition planning that are sensitive to ethnic and gender differences.

Sharing Power With Parents: Improving Educational Decision Making for Students With Learning Disabilities:

In this closing commentary to the special edition of Learning Disability Quarterly (LDQ) on parent voice in educational decision making for students with learning disabilities, we briefly survey main topics from each article, illuminating important findings from the authors, along with several questions they raise, and identify themes that reverberate throughout them as a collection. Subsequently, we offer suggestions to improve parental involvement in the decision-making process, in particular, the negotiation of Individualized Education Programs. In doing so, we emphasize the onus placed upon school professionals to better understand parental positionalities and needs, be culturally cognizant and competent in interactions, with the specific purpose of consciously addressing power differentials that have historically inhibited authentic parent–professional relationships. Finally, we end with a short note on the research methodologies used in this special edition.

Engaging Students and Parents in Transition-Focused Individualized Education Programs

The reauthorizations of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act emphasize that students and parents are to be considered equal partners in the individualized education program (IEP) process. This article addresses how to move from compliance with the law to facilitating meaningful involvement of high school students and their parents in IEP and transition planning. This article offers recommendations of an effective way to facilitate student-led IEP meetings. These three phases of IEP can support teachers’ roles in facilitating student and parent involvement in student-led IEP meetings. This article provides a model of how best practices in pre-IEP, IEP, and post-IEP meeting protocols can be implemented and outlines practices for developing reciprocal relationships with students and parents to facilitate meaningful involvement in educational planning.

Toward Authentic IEPs and Transition Plans: Student, Parent, and Teacher Perspectives.

This mixed-methods study examined perspectives on factors that influence meaningful student and parent involvement in Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition planning. Survey data and open-ended qualitative interviews with urban high school students with a learning disability (LD; n = 16), their parents (n = 9), and their teachers (n = 17) were analyzed. A group comparison of student and teacher ratings on the Student Involvement Survey revealed no difference between students and teachers on level of school efforts to facilitate student and parent involvement. However, qualitative analysis of interview data resulted in the emergence of four primary themes related to challenges to meaningful involvement: (a) facilitation of student involvement in IEP development, (b) challenges to parent involvement in IEP development, (c) challenges and effective supports for graduation, and (d) supports needed for career and college preparation. Recommendations for school practices to support student and parent involvement in the development of authentic IEPs is provided.

Introduction to Special Series: Parent Voice in Educational Decision Making for Students With Learning Disabilities

In this introduction to the special issue, we provide a brief discussion of (a) challenges gleaned from the literature on school–parent collaboration and (b) our rationale for including and highlighting research that centralizes parents and that varies in researcher positionalities and methods. The studies in this special issue illuminate the complexities of parent–school partnerships and provide practical recommendations to facilitate stronger school–family relationships to support students with learning disabilities.

‘Sit in my seat’: perspectives of students with learning disabilities about teacher effectiveness in high school inclusive classrooms

ABSTRACT In the USA, students with learning disabilities (LD), after students with speech and language impairments, are the second highest incidence disability category of children and youth receiving the majority of their education in inclusive classrooms. However, very few studies exist that share perspectives of school experiences by students with LD in inclusive classrooms. This qualitative study focuses upon the importance of student voice through interviews of 40 high school students with LD in 3 schools. We share our findings about specific teacher characteristics and pedagogical skills that influence student perceptions of effective and ineffective teachers. From these findings, we provide a descriptive summary of what students identify as teacher characteristics and pedagogical skills that help them learn best. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings as related to theory, research, practice, and policy.