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The findings of a best-evidence synthesis of the collateral effect of literacy instruction on the social adjustment of students are reported. The goal of the synthesis was to extend the work of Wanzek, Vaughn, Kim, and Cavanaugh (2006) by (a) reviewing treatment-outcomes conducted using group design methodology; (b) focusing on a more defined set of outcome measures; and (c) analyzing outcomes using average effect size estimates as a common metric. Results of the review suggest that effective literacy instruction does not appear to have a collateral effect on the social adjustment of children. Limitations and future directions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effects of contextually-based multiple meaning (i.e., words with multiple meanings) vocabulary instruction on the vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension of students. Third and 5th grade students received either contextually-based multiple meaning vocabulary instruction embedded in the standard language arts instruction offered to all students over a three-month period or the standard language arts instruction alone (i.e., non-specific treatment). Students who received the contextually-based multiple meaning instruction generally showed statistically and educationally significant gains in their vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension relative to students who did not. These gains were most evident in reading comprehension. Additionally, students with low initial vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension achievement tended to show greater gains than those with average to high achievement. These effects were more pronounced in the case of 3rd grade students. The results and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have asserted that the misclassification of culturally diverse students in programs for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) may be attributable, at least in part, to the mismatch between the behavioral expectations present in the students' home environments and those prevalent within schools. A preliminary study was conducted to explore whether Caucasian and Hispanic parents' views of negative classroom and interpersonal school survival behaviors were consistent with one another and with those of general and special education teachers. Overall, the results suggest that parents (Caucasian and Hispanic) generally hold similar views regarding the extent to which it was problematic for a student to exhibit such behaviors. In contrast, teachers (special and general educators) and parents (Caucasian and Hispanic) differed significantly on many items related to negative classroom and interpersonal school survival behaviors. The results and future research needs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate that schools evaluate, through the process of a functional behavioral assessment, those students with disabilities who are exhibiting significant behavior problems which may lead to suspension and expulsion. We conducted a statewide survey of special education administrators and school psychologists to examine their views of the relative effectiveness, usability, suitability, and practicability of functional behavioral assessment procedures for two types of problem behaviors (i.e., low-level chronic or low frequency unique problem behaviors). The results suggest that special education administrators and school psychologists are generally supportive of the use of functional behavioral assessments for a range of problem behaviors. However, administrators and psychologists are uncertain of whether such assessments would be acceptable for unique low-frequency problem behaviors that lead to suspension and expulsion such as violations of firearms and drug policies. Additionally, special education administrators and school psychologists indicated that educators might be unaware of and unwilling to conduct functional behavioral assessments. Implications for practice and future research needs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of a summary skills learning strategy on the comprehension of science texts with elementary-age urban minority special education students in a summer remedial program. Effect on the overall completeness of the students' written summaries and the maintenance of the strategy; Improvement in the comprehension of science texts.

Focuses on prereferral intervention. Analysis techniques; Article selection procedures; Effect on special education service delivery practices; Abilities and attitudes of teachers.

It is well documented that youth with or at-risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) have severe deficits in their academic functioning. To begin to address these deficits, we focus on the need to close the opportunity gap by providing access to multi-tiered systems of academic prevention, maximizing academic learning time, and providing explicit instruction for youth with E/BD. We offer recommended positive behavior interventions and supports necessary to improve engagement in instruction. Closing the achievement gap using multi-tiered academic supports requires best practices for universal screening and diagnostic assessment to understand youth academic needs. We detail the key elements of explicit instruction directly linked to improved academic performance. We conclude with alterable instruction factors for intensifying instruction and emphasize the need for intensive language instruction for the majority of youth with E/BD [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of four types of language disorders among public school students (N = 152) classified as Emotional Disturbance (ED). We also examined the association of the types of language disorders experienced by these students with specific learning disabilities and clinical levels of specific types of psychopathology. Nearly 66% of the students with ED experienced a language disorder, with combined receptive-expressive disorders being the most common (35.5%). Students with a language disorder, particularly combined receptive-expressive disorder, showed significantly poorer achievement and more learning disabilities (LD) in all areas compared to students with no language disorder. Furthermore, 91.3% of the students with any LD also had a language disorder. Types of language disorders were not significantly distinguished by psychopathology, although severity was serious in both students with and without a language disorder. These findings have implications for the identification and treatment of language disorders in students classified ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]