Effectiveness of training and attention exercises on spelling ability and academic performance of students with learning disabilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of training and attention exercises on spelling ability and academic performance of students with learning disabilities. The present study was a semi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test and follow-up dwsign and control group, and statistical population consisted of third-grade female students of Shahriyar and Malard, the number of which was 23839 during academic year 96-95. The students were selected using random cluster sampling method from 4 districts, from which Malard and Shahriar districts were chosen, from among 260 schools of these 2 districts, Hajia Noori, Maryam and Hazrat Zaynab schools were selected. Finally, from each school, two classes were chosen and after screening the students by Iowa Raven Test, and teacher-made spelling test 30 students were chosen and assigned to two groups of 15 girls. In addition, for evaluating the educational performance, teacher-made educational performance test was utilized. The students participated in Fletcher’s 2007 training program twice a week during ten sessions of 45 minutes. To analyze the data, mixed variance analysis with repeated measurements was used. Results showed the effectiveness of attention teaching and exercises on improving the ability of spelling (P=0.0001, F=21.19) and academic performance in students with learning disabilities (F=22.67, P=0.001). Since attention teaching and exercises improves spelling ability and educational performance, teachers can use this method in the schools to prevent spelling problems and decline in educational performance.