National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities
Founded in 1975, the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) is a national committee of representatives of organizations committed to the education and welfare of individuals with learning disabilities.
LD OnLine is pleased to serve as the official web site for the NJCLD.
Click below for the following information:
Mission statement
The mission of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) is to provide multi-organizational leadership and resources to optimize outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities.
To pursue its mission, the NJCLD will:
- Facilitate communication, collaboration, and consensus among member organizations.
- Identify and address needs in research, policy, and professional education and development related to learning disabilities.
- Provide an interdisciplinary forum to increase communication and understanding among educational organizations, community, and governmental agencies at the national, state, and local levels.
- Act as an advocate and make recommendations on key issues affecting individuals with learning disabilities.
- Develop and disseminate statements, reports, and other resources in the area of learning disabilities to clarify issues, influence policy, improve practice, and increase knowledge.
LD Definition
The current definition of learning disabilities was formally adopted by the NJCLD in 1990.
Member organizations
The member organizations of NJCLD are the following:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
- Association of Educational Therapists (AET)
- Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)
- Division for Communicative Disabilities and Deafness (DCDD), Council for Exceptional Children
- Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD), Council for Exceptional Children
- International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
- International Reading Association (IRA)
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
Web resources
- Including Samuel Project at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, is committed to social change and promoting inclusive opportunities for all students through film/photojournalism, web resources, training and professional development, and cross-stakeholder collaboration.
LD Topics
About LD / Definition of LD /Policy Implications
- NJCLD Definition
- Report: Learning Disabilities: Implications for Policy Regarding Research and Practice (2011)
- Symposium: Affirming the Validity of the LD Construct: Implications for Policy, Research, and Practice (5/23/11)
Adolescent Literacy
- Report: Adolescent Literacy and Older Students with Learning Disabilities (2008)
- Executive Summary of Adolescent Literacy and Older Students with Learning Disabilities Report
- Symposium: Adolescent Literacy and Students with Learning Disabilities: Building Effective Programs & Partnerships (6/5/09)
Assessment / Evaluation
- Report: Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of Students with LD (2010)
- Executive Summary of Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Learning Disabilities Report (2010)
- Symposium: Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of Students with LD (6/4/10)
- Report: State and District-Wide Assessments and Students with Learning Disabilities: A Guide for States and School Districts (2004)
Common Core State Standards
- Symposium: Helping K-12 and Postsecondary Students with Learning Disabilities in an Era of the Common Core State Standards (6/3/13)
- Symposium Proceedings
- Symposium Agenda
- Suggested References and Resources
- Speaker Bios
- Speaker Photos
- PowerPoint Presentations:
- Mark Griffin, Common Core State Standards in Context: Can it Work for Children with Learning Disabilities?
- Beth Poss, Common Core State Standards and Learning Disabilities: Supporting Students Through a Universally Designed for Learning Curriculum
- Barbara Marinak, Humanizing RTI: Nurturing Expertise and Collaboration at the Table
Early Childhood / Early Identification
Federal Research Investments
- Symposium: National Research to Practice Discussion (7/30/12)
- Symposium agenda
- PowerPoint Presentations:
- Brett Miller, PhD, Updates from NICHD: Current Directions in Learning Disabilities Research
- Deborah Speece, PhD, National Center for Special Education Research Overview
Response to Intervention
Transition to College and Career / Postsecondary
- Report: Documentation Disconnect for Students with Learning Disabilities: Improving Access to Postsecondary Disabilities Services (2007)
- Executive Summary of the Documentation Disconnect Report
- Symposium: Transition to Higher Education for Students with Learning Disabilities: Building Effective Partnerships and Resources (5/30/08)
- Brochure: Transition to School and Work: A blueprint for your child's success after high school (2007)
- Learning Disabilities: Implications for Policy Regarding Research and Practice (2011) (53K PDF)*
- Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Learning Disabilities (2010) (122 K PDF)*
The report is intended to inform administrators, educators, parents, and others concerned about the effective identification and education of students with learning disabilities about the components, processes, and participants necessary for comprehensive assessment and evaluation, as well as optimal practices that should further enhance the education of students with learning disabilities.
- Executive Summary of Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Learning Disabilities (2010) (24 K PDF)*
- Adolescent Literacy and Older Students with Learning Disabilities (2008) (209K PDF)*
This report describes the adolescent literacy problem (grades 4 to 12), its consequences, and contributing factors. Guiding principles for assessment, instruction, and professional development, as well as recommendations for short-term and future consideration, are also addressed.
- The Documentation Disconnect for Students with Learning Disabilities: Improving Access to Postsecondary Disability Services (2007) (56K PDF)*
The purpose of this report is to outline the issues affecting documentation for postsecondary disability services and to suggest ways to bridge the gap between secondary and postsecondary settings.
- Transition to School and Work: A blueprint for your child's success after high school (2007) (226K PDF)*
This brochure on transition planning makes a helpful resource for parents.
- Learning Disabilities and Young Children: Identification and Intervention (2006) (179.1K PDF)*
This paper addresses early identification, services, supports, and intervention for young children, birth through 4 years, who demonstrate delays in development that may place them at risk for later identification as having a learning disability.
- Responsiveness to Intervention and Learning Disabilities (2005) (152K PDF)*
This report examines the concepts, potential benefits, practical issues, and unanswered questions associated with "responsiveness to intervention" (RTI) and learning disabilities.
- State and District-Wide Assessments and Students with Learning Disabilities: A Guide for States and School Districts (2004) (142K PDF)*
This report highlights issues and offers guidance on sound implementation of state and district-wide assessments to ensure equal access by students with learning disabilities.
* To view this file, you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
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