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.

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