States' Criteria and Procedures for Identifying Learning Disabled Children: A Comparison of 1981/82 and 1985/86 Guidelines

Abstract

The number of LD children has increased dramatically in recent years. To determine factors which may account for this rapid increase in the LD population, state guidelines required by P.L. 94--142. were collected for the 1981/82 and 1985/86 school years. The guidelines were analyzed to determine definitions, methods, and procedures employed by states to diagnose LD. The review reveals changes in states' achievement discrepancy criteria between 1981/82 and 1985/86. During this period of time more states delineated specific achievement discrepancy criteria and the criteria were more sophisticated than in 1981/82. However, states did not attempt to moderate the increasing prevalence ofLD by altering major components of their definitions or implementing IQ cutoffs. Implications of variability in states' diagnostic procedures are also discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Algozzine, B. , & Korinek, L. (1985). Where is special education for students with high prevalence handicaps going?. Exceptional Children, 51(5), 388–394.

Ames, L.B. (1983). Learning disability: Truth or trap?. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 19–20.

Cone, T.E. , & Wilson, L.R. (1981). Quantifying a severe discrepancy: A critical analysis. Learning Disability Quarterly, 4, 163–174.

Epps, S , Ysseldyke, J. , & Algozzine, B. (1985). An analysis of the conceptual framework underlying definitions of learning disabilities. Journal of School Psychology, 23, 133–144.

Epps, S. , Ysseldyke, J. , & McGue, M. (1983). Impact of different definitions of learning disabilities on the number of students identified. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 1, 341–352.

Epps, S. , Ysseldyke, J. , & McGue. M. (1984). “I know one when I see one”—Differentiating LD and non-LD students. Learning Disability Quarterly, 7, 89–101.

Frankenberger, W. , & Harper, J. (1985). Variations in multidisciplinary team composition for identifying learning disabled children. The Mental Retardation & Learning Disability Bulletin, 13, 40–48.

Kavale, K , & Nye, C. (1981). Identification criteria for learning disabilities: A survey of the research literature. Learning Disability Quarterly, 4, 363–388.

Kirk, S. , & Kirk, W. (1983). On defining learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 20–21.

10.

Mann, L. , Davis, C. , Boyer, C. , Metz, C. , & Wolford, B. (1983). LD or not LD, that was the question: A retrospective analysis of child service demonstration centers' compliance with the federal definition of learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 14–17.

11.

McNutt, G. (1986). The status of learning disabilities in the states: Consensus or controversy?. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 19, 12–16.

12.

Mercer, C , Forgnone, C , & Walking W. (1976). Definitions of learning disabilities used in the United States. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 9, 376–386.

13.

Mercer, C , Hughes, C. , & Mercer, A. (1985). Learning disabilities definitions used by state education departments. Learning Disability Quarterly, 8, 45–55.

14.

U.S. Department of Education (1984). To assure the free appropriate public education of all handicapped children: Sixth annual report to Congress on the implementation of Public Law 94–142: The Education For All Handicapped Children Act. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

15.

U.S. Office of Education . (1977). Procedures for evaluating specific learning disabilities. Federal Register, 42, 65082–65085.

16.

Wilson, L. (1985). Large-scale learning disability identification: The reprieve of a concept. Exceptional Children, 52, 44–51.

17.

Ysseldyke, J. (1983). Current practices in making psychoeducational decisions about learning disabled students. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 226–233.

18.

Ysseldyke, J. , & Algozzine, B. (1983). LD or not LD: That's not the question! Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 29–31.

19.

Ysseldyke, J , Algozzine, B. , Richer, L. , & Graden, J. (1982). Declaring students eligible for learning disability services: Why bother with the data?. Learning Disability Quarterly, 5, 37–39.

20.

Ysseldyke, J. , Algozzine, B. , Shinn, M. , & McGue, M. (1982). Similarities and differences between low achievers and students labeled learning disabled. The Journal of Special Education, 16, 73–85.