Prevention of Learning Problems

Abstract

Data drawn from several sources (Dryfoos, 1990; Murphy, 1990; Terman, Larner, Stevenson, & Behrman, 1996; United States Department of Education, 1992) can be pooled to indicate the nature and extent of children’s learning problems. There are approximately 2.1 million school children (5%) who have a documented learning disability and 1.2 million (3%) who have developmental disabilities (i.e., mental retardation). On a nation-wide basis, the average writing proficiency of students in the fourth and eighth grades is at less than a minimal level of competency. More than 80% of students in 4th, 10th, and 12th grades demonstrate less than adequate mathematical achievement. One out of every three children experiences significant problems in learning to read, and up to 18% of high school seniors read at least 4 years below grade level. About one out of every five students repeats at least one grade between kindergarten and eighth grade; the annual high school dropout rate is 25%.