Abstract
Slow learners, invisible children, and gray area students. All are names that have been used to describe students who have General Learning Difficulties (GLD). GLD affects approximately 12% to 14% of the global population and is characterized by an intelligence quotient of 71-84. Slow learners, or students with GLD, often face increased risk of school failure, dropping out before graduation, and unemployment and homelessness. Students with GLD present with unique cognitive profiles that can result in difficulties acquiring academic skills, maintaining appropriate behaviors, interacting socially, and regulating emotionally. These students often receive very little support within the schools, as these students may not qualify for special education services, and general education classrooms are often not equipped to provide instruction that meets their needs. In this gray area, these students have been ignored by educators and policymakers, leaving them behind instead of helping them thrive. This project aims to uncover solutions and frameworks for supporting these students in their general education setting, providing equitable and accessible education for one of the most susceptible and at-risk populations. This project includes a five-hour workshop that will teach, inform, and provide solutions and strategies for working with students with GLD. Materials in this project comprise a PowerPoint presentation with a presenter’s manual, sample presentation language, and interactive activities and case studies. The level of detail in this workshop is meant to efficiently and appropriately inform educators who work with students with GLD and support their educational outcomes.