Learning Strategies

      Learning strategies are skills or techniques that help low-achieving students to successfully complete academic tasks (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 1990). A strategy trains the student to systematically follow a step-by-step procedure that enables him or her to acquire content and demonstrate proficiency of class objectives. Strategies do not directly teach content. For example, learning strategies will not teach the student science content, but will teach the student how to acquire the science content (reading the textbook, memorizing facts, and understanding lectures) and how to demonstrate science knowledge (taking tests and completing writing assignments).
      Early examples of learning strategies are word attack techniques to help students with reading tasks and outlining skills to help students organize information for studying and writing. Instruction in a learning strategy has typically been a one-shot demonstration that does not ensure proficiency. Recent interest in learning strategies for low-achieving students has resulted in a more precise and thorough instructional procedure, as well as the use of strategies in a wider variety of academic tasks (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Lloyd, 1985).

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