@article{2013,title={PROBLEM LEARNERS OR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES? WHAT DO TEACHERS KNOW ABOUT LD?},abstractNode={This research investigated the level of awareness and existing knowledge processed by general education instructors and counselors in a private school system regarding learning disabilities (LD) in Istanbul, Turkey. General education instructors who teach students from the age range of 5-19 in all subjects including English as a Foreign Language practitioners as well as counselors who work with this population are the focus of this study. The main purpose of this study is to elicit current knowledge levels of learning disabilities awareness among teachers currently practicing in private school systems. The subsidiary purpose is to discern if learning disabilities in general or the targeting of specific disabilities should be the focus of training workshops and seminars. In a way, it is the first step of a needs analysis on this specific topic. One hundred participants who are currently working in this private school sector have completed a 25 question survey which was developed and piloted by Dr. Sheila Saravanabhaven of Virginia State University and Dr. RC Saravanabhaven of Howard State University and published in the International Journal of Special Education (vol.25, no. 3, 2010). Permission for its use has been granted with the original survey to be administered. Additionally, the counselors currently administering to this populous were interviewed and asked specific questions regarding their preparation in the area of learning disabilities. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and for the open-ended questions content analysis was applied. The analysis pointed to some discrepancies among awareness levels of educators with the focus of examination on pre-service courses required while pursuing a degree in Education as well as professional development exposure regarding learning disabilities awareness. The results of this study together with its implications on teaching and learning process show that in order to gain more awareness there is a need for teachers of all subjects to go through training workshops and seminars focusing on various types of learning disabilities which would eventually affect their student body. Special Education courses in the undergraduate teacher education programs should also put more emphasis on these issues.},author={Feyza DOYRAN-- Irene CANCA},year={2013},journal={The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies}}