Research-Based Resources and Professional Development to Increase Achievement of Adults with Learning Disabilities
Learning to Achieve is a suite of resources designed to build teacher effectiveness in providing instruction for adults with learning disabilities (LD). It includes an integrated set of research-based resources and professional development materials available for self-study or trainer-led events. In order to increase the reach and accessibility of these materials, more of the training has been made available for online, self-study.
The Resources
Learning to Achieve: A Review of the Research Literature on Serving Adults with Learning Disabilities An extensive literature review serves as a foundational document reflecting the current knowledge base in assessment, English language learners, accommodations, teaching methods, transition, and impact of LD.
Learning to Achieve: A Review of the Research Literature on Employment Experiences and Outcomes for Youth and Adults with Learning Disabilities This review specifically targets research on adults in the areas of employment, adult education, and career development.
Online, self-paced courses
Practitioners may access these self-paced courses on their own; free registration is required. A certificate of completion is available for download in each course.
- Learning to Achieve: Accommodations: In this self-paced module, participants learn about testing and instructional accommodations appropriate for individuals with learning disabilities.
- Learning to Achieve: English Language Learners: In this self-paced module, participants identify testing and instructional accommodation considerations for individuals with learning disabilities.
- Learning to Achieve: Professional’s Guide: In this self-paced module, participants review the popular research based online publication, A Professional’s Guide to Educating Learning Disabilities.
- Learning to Achieve: Definitions of Learning Disabilities: This course describes and explains a consensus definition of learning disabilities and its application and identifies some behaviors that indicate an individual may have a learning disability. It also explains how controversy and debate may affect adult service providers.
- Learning to Achieve: Self Determination for Adults with Learning Disabilities: In this self-paced course, participants learn about This course explains the importance of self-determination and self-advocacy for a person with learning disabilities, and describes six factors that affect an individual's ability to be self-determined. It also identifies how professionals working with adults with learning disabilities can support those adults in developing self-determination to achieve their goals.
- Learning to Achieve: Legal Issues, Self-Disclosure, and Confidentiality: In this self-paced course, participants learn about This course identifies the legal, self-disclosure, and confidentiality issues that are relevant to service providers working with adults with learning disabilities. It also discusses the possible implications for service delivery when a student discloses a learning disability.
- Learning to Achieve: Workforce Preparation Strategies: In this self-paced course, participants learn about This course describes strategies for helping adults with learning disabilities develop skills to enhance their workforce readiness and success; identifies employment-related resources available to adults with LD in your community; and explores strategies to address possible barriers to access for those adults.
Professional Development
Practitioners can access the Learning to Achieve professional development resources in several ways. Certified trainers may deliver local training sessions or blended experiences that coordinate with self-paced online learning modules. Practitioners may access the online modules on-demand for self-study.