We present a theory explaining the impact of ability tracking on academic performance based on grading policies. Our model distinguishes between initial ability, which is mainly determined by parental background, and eagerness to learn. We show that achievements of low ability students may be higher in a comprehensive school system, even if there…

Small learning communities, an initiative to transform large struggling comprehensive high schools into smaller autonomous schools, are being empirically examined in the field of education to assess if transformation is actually occurring as seen by positive outcomes, such as increased academic achievement. There is an absence of literature on…

IN THIS REPORT TO THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, THE NATURE AND IMPACT OF EXISTING COMPENSATORY EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE EVALUATED, GENERAL CRITERIA FOR THE SUCCESS OF SUCH PROGRAMS ARE DETERMINED, AND THE COST FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS IS ESTIMATED. AFTER A REVIEW OF NINE CURRENT COMPENSATORY PROGRAMS THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT…

This newsletter summarizes the work of a committee, set up by the Ministry of Education, which sought to define the objectives and the methods of student evaluation and to draw up a proposal for reforming and standardizing student evaluation in the comprehensive and the secondary school. Deficiencies of current methods of student evaluation are…