Randomized experiments are often seen as the "gold standard" for causal research. Despite the fact that experiments use random assignment to treatment conditions, units are seldom selected into the experiment using probability sampling. Very little research on experimental design has focused on how to make generalizations to well-defined…

This 5-year longitudinal randomized study focused on the effects of a dropout prevention program implemented at two urban high schools. The program incorporated the characteristics of personalization found in previous research to have some positive effects, and typical of the type of programs implemented in many high schools nationwide. The…

The Reading Strategy Project is designed for intermediate grade students who need assistance in the mastery of basic reading skills. The available data demonstrated that the Title I treatment group enhanced their average reading comprehension scores significantly. The gain exceeded the project objective of four normal curve equivalent points. The…

A structured immersion program, coupled with an effective curriculum and empirically validated teaching procedure, was offered to elementary Asian students entering a California school. This approach appeared to have significantly better results, and its effects were maintained for up to two years after completion. (LMO)

The Primary Reading Program was initiated in 117 classrooms in 40 North Carolina schools, to improve the reading achievement of the primary school students. The same number of control classrooms were also selected for comparison. Features of the program included increased funding for instructional materials; use of volunteers and teacher aides for…

Concern over reports that North Carolina elementary school students performed below the national norms in reading achievement led to the establishment of a pilot program to improve reading skills in grades one through three. The Primary Reading Program was initiated in 117 classrooms in 40 schools throughout the state; 117 control classrooms from…

This paper focuses generally on student non-cognitive improvement before and after a Newark Chapter 1 program implementation; and specifically, on demonstrated growth in the non-cognitive areas over the year from pre-assessment to post-assessment as part of the Chapter 1 intervention. The evaluation was conducted, based on classification in terms…

This report describes the major outcomes of the Response to Educational Needs Project (RENP), a compensatory education program implemented by the Anacostia district of Washington, D.C. The problem of students falling further and further behind is discussed with particular reference to reading and mathematics achievement, training teachers to cope,…

In studying the effectiveness of different instructional programs, a criterion measure can favor one of the programs because there is greater overlap between the content covered on the test and in that program. This overlap can be measured using teacher estimates or teacher estimates combined with curriculum analysis. (Author/BW)

The 1978 Wisconsin assessment program, involving students in grades 4, 8, and 12, focused upon: (1) state-developed tests referenced to state objectives for computation and everyday money and measurement skills; (2) the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills: mathematics, reading, and language; (3) comparison of results of the 1976, 1977, and 1978…

Results of a pilot follow-up study conducted on Spanish dominant students in transition from bilingual programs to English only instructional settings was reported. The sample group was predominantly Mexican American and native Mexican students. Three types of data were collected: individual scores on Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS),…

The primary objective of this study was to examine the construct validity of two multiple-content testing programs, the multiple-choice Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS/5) and the performance-based Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP), by evaluating the true-score longitudinal associations among multiple-content scores…

This paper describes the extent to which the Gender Expectations and Student Achievement (GESA) program has been disseminated at the national level, reports the findings of a validation study conducted in a California school district, and shares recommendations for further study and future plans. GESA was designed to reduce the disparity in the…

The Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS/S) was the nationally standardized, norm-referenced test selected for the Idaho Statewide Testing Program for 1976-77. It provided basic skills measures in reading, language, mathematics, total battery, reference skills, science and social studies. Students in the 4th, 8th and 11th grades from 51 of…

To compile information on state and school district standardized testing programs, a survey instrument was designed and sent to 135 members of the National Association of Test Directors (NATD). Seventy responses (52%) were received in time to be included in the compilation. Most participating school districts (n=61, 87%) had a program mandated by…