Describe the discrepancy model for identifying learning disabilities, and include problems with this model

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

This model utilizes a difference between a student's intellectual ability and her achievement with which to identify learning disabilities. An intelligence test is used to measure a student's performance on tasks related to reasoning, memory, comprehension, and ability to learn academic skills. A norm-referenced achievement test is used to measure academic achievement, and a discrepancy is typically determined to exist depending on the relationship between the intelligence test and the achievement test. However, differences can also exist among the parts of the intelligence test or the parts of the achievement test. A major concern with this model has been the disproportionate representation of students from diverse backgrounds, indicating testing biases. There are also concerns that identification is not made until students have experienced too much failure, that assessments do not suggest specific instructional strategies, and that there are other causes of poor reading.