A comparison of social competence and its components in students with learning disability and students with low, average and high academic achievement

The purpose of the present study was to compare social competence and its components in students with learning disability and students with low، average and high academic achievement. Using a multi- stage random cluster sampling method، a study sample of 160 second grade guidance school students (40 with learning disability، 40 with low academic achievement 40 with moderate academic achievement and 40 with high academic achievement) was selected from students in the 1st and 2nd districts of Ardabil. Data were collected using the Social Competence Scale، Raven''s Progressive Matrices and researcher constructed tests for reading، writing and math evaluation. The MANCOVA results showed students with learning disability and students with low academic achievement scored lower on indices of social competence than students with average and high academic achievement. This finding has important implications as regards the education and mental health of exceptional students.