There are many ways in which classroom students might be different depending on their abilities and limitations. Even though most of the student body is represented by ‘typically developing’ learners, there are students with exceptional needs that experience physical or cognitive disabilities, students with learning disabilities, and English language learners.
Additionally, there also could be students fitting the category of accelerated learners. Although there are few students in special education services, nearly 10% of the school population is eligible for special education services, with almost two-thirds enrolling for minor learning problems. Learning disabilities have the highest incidence across the disabilities range (nearly 50%).
Learning disabilities could be characterized by difficulties acquiring and using reading, writing, listening, reasoning, or mathematical skills. Learning disabilities also include the inability to pay attention to classroom activities and a lack of follow-through on assignments. Learning disabilities do not necessarily mean weak performance in all areas, as the student may show high performance in one area and weak performance in another.