The trend in SLD enrollments and the role of RTI.

Based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data, this article presents the enrollment figures for students identified with specific learning disabilities (SLD) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for the school years from 1995-1996 to 2011-2012. The figures for each year are (a) the number of students with SLD ages 6 to 21, (b) the percentage in relation to students classified under all of the IDEA classifications, and (c) the percentage in relation to total K-12 school enrollments. The discussion examines these trends and explores the possible reasons for them.