William N. Bender

Implementation of Response to Intervention A Snapshot of Progress

This article provides a snapshot of how all 50 states are progressing with the development and implementation of response-to-intervention (RtI) models 1 year after the final regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act were passed. Data were collected through a review of existing state department of education Web sites and conversations with representatives in each state department of education. Information related to RtI model type, implementation status, professional development, criteria for eligibility, and specific features of individual state RtI models are presented. Findings indicate that most states are in some phase of RtI development, although approaches vary widely throughout the country. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Teachers Attitudes Toward Increased Mainstreaming Implementing Effective Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities

To investigate the types of instructional strategies offered in mainstream classes, we asked 127 mainstream teachers in Grades 1 through 8 to complete a self-evaluation concerning instructional strategies used in their general education classes. Also, each teacher completed questionnaires concerning their attitudes toward their own efficacy and toward mainstreaming. ANOVAs comparing teachers with positive attitudes toward mainstreaming and teachers with less positive attitudes indicated that the teachers with less positive attitudes used effective mainstream instructional strategies less frequently. Implications of these results in terms of recent educational initiatives resulting in increased inclusion programs are discussed.

Adolescents with Learning Disabilities at Risk? Emotional Well-Being, Depression, Suicide:

As recently as 5 years ago, very little information on the emotional well-being of adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) was available. However, a great deal of research has been conducted recently and some of the implications are unnerving. Research on self-concept, attributions, anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents with LD is examined for the purpose of detecting consistency of indicators concerning these emotional and developmental variables. The research indicates that the emotional development of many adolescents with LD is not notably positive, and these students appear to be at increased risk for severe depression and suicide. The discussion highlights methodological pitfalls and developmental issues. Practical implications are suggested.

Classroom Behavior of Children and Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis was used to review the results of 25 studies that compared the classroom behavior of children and adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) to children without learning disabilities. The data were analyzed from several different methodological perspectives. Results showed that both methodologically strong and weak studies demonstrated significant behavioral deficits of children with learning disabilities compared to their nondisabled peers in each of five overall areas: on-task behavior, off-task behavior, conduct disorders, distractibility, and shy/withdrawn behavior. Both observational and teacher rating data demonstrated these differences. Effect sizes for both groups of studies seemed to cluster around 1 standard deviation, suggesting noticeable and educationally significant impairment in the behavior of children with disabilities. Analysis of grade-level effect sizes suggests some explanation for the large number of referrals often witnessed during the elementary school years. Educational implications of these behavioral differences in terms of implications for mainstreaming are discussed.

Secondary Personality and Behavioral Problems in Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

This review details the lack of information available concerning personality and behavioral development of adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). Research on self-concept, locus of control, temperament, problem behavior, and social status in this population is reviewed in an effort to note the consistency of indicators concerning secondary emotional and social problems. The discussion highlights conflicting results as well as methodological pitfalls. Future research directions with this population are suggested, including groups comparison studies, developmental research, research on LD subtypes, and research treatments resulting from these suggested personality and behavioral deficits.

Behavioral Indicators of Temperament and Personality in the Inactive Learner

Temperament, self-concept, and locus of control were compared for 38 children with learning disabilities and a comparsion group of matched peers in order to validate the “inactive learner“ characterization of disabled students. A multivariate difference was demonstrated with specific univariate effects in task orientation and social flexibility—two temperament factors and two self-concept subscales. Results were interpreted as partially supporting the characterization of disabled students as uninvolved and inactive in the learning situation. Recommendations for additional research are included.

The Other Side of Placement Decisions Assessment of the Mainstream Learning Environment

This article explores the recommendation for assessment of mainstream learning environments in order to facilitate placement of mildly and moderately handicapped students. First, a six-point rationale for such assessment is presented. Next, three types of indicators for learning environment assessments are described, including indication of substantive modifications, more typical modifications, and curriculum anomalies in the local setting. Recommendations concerning who should conduct the assessment are presented, followed by suggestions for needed research in this area.

Generalized effects of a highly structured time-on-task intervention:

Peer ratings of the behaviors of 42 third and 73 sixth grade low-achieving children were examined to assess the extent co which effects of a highly structured time-on-task program generalized to the regular classroom. When compared with low-achieving peers who received supplementary remedial instruction in basic skills in a tutorial program, time-on-task students received significantly higher post-intervention peer ratings on task orientation. These results indicated that effects on task orientation generalized to the regular class, but effects on classroom misbehavior or social acceptance did not generalize. Implications for the availability of time-on-task in classrooms were discussed.