The Difference Model
The Difference Model, also known as the Discrepancy Model, is an approach used in special education to identify students with learning disabilities. This model compares a student‘s actual achievement to their expected achievement based on their cognitive abilities.
Key aspects of the Difference Model include:
Assessing cognitive abilities through IQ tests or other standardized measures.
Measuring academic achievement in various subjects.
Comparing the expected performance (based on cognitive abilities) to actual performance.
Identifying significant discrepancies between expected and actual achievement.
If a substantial discrepancy exists, it may indicate a learning disability. However, this model has faced criticism for potentially over-identifying or under-identifying students with learning disabilities, leading to the development of alternative approaches like Response to Intervention (RTI).