The Slow Learner

Any name which we apply to children who are falling behind in their school work (backward, educationally subnormal, less able, remedial or slow learner) tends to acquire some sort of stigma. Also, the act of labeling seems, inevitably, to lead  to a self-fulfilling prophecy, whereby children who are clearly marked out in school as being “dull and backward” conform more and more to the expectations which are presented to them.

It would be wrong to deny the proper educational opportunities to slow learners because they have been typecast by labeling. What is required is a positive approach to the identification and education of slow learners, coupled with a conscious effort on the part of staff and school to circumvent the inferior status which may be given to these youngsters.

In the past many secondary schools with remedial departments have recognized that there were two groups of children to be catered for – the less able and the remedial (those who might respond to coaching and return to the normal timetable). Ultimately, of course, there should be as many categories as individuals, but for practical purposes we should try to plan for four or five groups. One would be our slow learners, a second could be for children with specific learning difficulties, another might comprise children with behavior problems, and in certain areas there will be a further group of children who may be thought to be socially or culturally disadvantaged. Another group, which is not often acknowledged, may be those whose educational history has been inadequate.

Click on this link for the entire WORD file
1ProfileofTheSlowLearner.doc