New Report: Trends in Learning Disabilities

The National Center for Learning Disabilities has released a new report on state of learning disabilities in the United States, focusing on the educational and life experiences of students with learning disabilities. 

The report highlights key findings, including:

• 2.5 million public school students – about 5% of all students in public schools – were identified as having learning disabilities in 2009;

• The number of children identified as LD has declined by 14% over the last decade;
• Males comprise almost two-thirds of school age students with LD who receive special education services;
• The cost of educating a student with LD is 1.6 times the expenditure for a general education student;
• In 2008, 62% of students with LD spent 80% or more of their in-school time in general education classrooms;
• The high school dropout rate among students with LD was 22%in 2008, down from 40% in 1999;
• Students with LD go on to postsecondary at lower rates than their non-disabled peers;
• In 2005, 55% of adults with LD were employed compared to 76% of those without LD

Click here to read the full report.

 

Comments

[Anthony Szwartz]

Students who learning disabilities must be taught the skills to be productive members in society. At Jefferson High school our school started a program to help special education students math skills including balancing a check book and how to organize a budget. These and many other skills taught at the high school helps each student get the basic skills needed to keep a job or save for further education. Unfortunately when budgets get cut programs including shop and art will get cut because the majority of the general education population need to keep their advanced placement classes for the competitive colleges.

[Lisa Lowe-Clarke]

From these statistics it is clear to see that schools are faced with some students that have a learning disability. Looking at the positive side of it, there is great improvement as compared to decades ago. Time is our best friend in this saga, so to speak, and as we can see there has been great improvement over time. It is going to take more time and effort to see even greater improvements. It is great to see that Adults with LD are being employed and thus their independence can unfold as they make their way in society. Patience is a virtue and with that patience will come even more success. Way to go.

[Pam Ingram]

Learning disabilties encompass many different difficulties as well as many different people. The statistics show me that the students are being helped and can become productive members of society. It takes time, patience and of course knowledge for improvement. As a teacher and a parent of a child with a learning disability, I understand the challenges educators face but the chanllenges that students face. My daughter is a Straight A student who has overcome her disability through hard work, excellent strategies and perserverance.

[educator]

There are several conditions that can mimic or cause learning disabilities. As a tutor, I find too many children are misdiagnosed.

[children with disabilities]

It's good to view the statistics. This allows a proper view on how to deal with the learning disabilities.