Learning disabilities Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Learning disabilities - Research Paper Example Some of the primary characteristics presented by students with learning disabilities include: trouble maintaining attention regardless of distractions; inadequate memory and learning strategies; poor reading skills and poor sense of motivation for academic activities (Graves & Ward, 2012). Learning disabilities typically manifest themselves differently in students at various education levels such as elementary and high schools. In elementary school, students with learning disabilities exhibit poor motor skills, attention and typically show difficulty learning basic skills. However, at the high school level, learning disabilities are exhibited through emotional difficulties on top of the normal emotional issues associated with adolescence (Bowen & Rude, 2006). ... For high school students with learning disabilities, academic success may seem like an unattainable fete. Although learning disabilities are the most common among high school students, other forms of disabilities, including, physical, emotional instability and mental disability are also quite prevalent (Graves & Ward, 2012). Today, high school students with disabilities (SWD) are placed in inclusive education classes where they are expected to learn, read and pass standardized tests and examinations at the same level as non-disabled students. Standardized testing encompasses the use of testing approaches and instruments administered and scored in a consistent and preset manner. Typically, students with disabilities placed in inclusive education classes perform rather dismally on standardized test, thus do not demonstrate year to year progress on such tests (West, Leon-Guerrero & Stevens, 2007). As a consequence, students with disabilities exhibit repeated test failures as a result of failure to complete assignments, failing the course due to inadequate comprehension of the material and ultimately due to excessive absences caused by their disabilities. Problem Documentation From previous research findings, it is clear that there are diverse advantages to including students with disabilities in classrooms with typically developing students. One of the greatest benefits is that students with disabilities are able to learn from their peers as non-disabled students can act as role models (Garnett, 2010). This encourages disabled students and instigates rapid progress as children learn most and best from their peers. In addition, inclusion enlightens typically developing children regarding disabilities, thus showing that they should not be