This phenomenological study on experiential learning, specifically studying abroad, examined the evolution of education in the United States, including the rise of standardized testing and the increased focus on whole child and democratic teaching and learning. The participants found a positive correlation between their study abroad experience and…

The purpose of the study is to understand secondary science teachers' self-efficacy beliefs and implementation of inquiry to provide information for the improvement of science education in a Midwestern U.S. state that has not yet adopted NGSS. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was selected to capture both a broad perspective of…

This executive summary report summarizes the academic performance of students in the Austin Independent School District's bilingual and English as a second language programs during 2018-2019. Students' advanced placement course performance, state academic tests (STAAR and EOC) performance, as well as graduation and dropout rates are summarized. A…

In response to international standardized testing, many countries are examining mathematics education at virtually every level of instruction. Canada is no exception. Declines in mathematics scores in some international standardized tests have raised concerns amongst some stakeholders that a crisis may be unfolding with respect to the readiness of…

This article reports on a 3-year ethnographic study in a Boston Public school of the performance of Haitian students on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and its lasting and likely impact upon them. MCAS is a mandated exam required for students to graduate from high school. Although there are certain provisions for students…

Research Findings: The objective of this study was to examine the student-teacher relationship as a potential moderator of the link between executive functioning (EF) and children's early school readiness among a clinical sample of preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP). Participants for the study included 139 preschool children…

A growing body of research showing that grade retention serves as an educationally low-quality placement has raised increasing concerns about whether the use of standardized tests in making decisions concerning grade retention conforms to current standards for appropriate and nondiscriminatory test use. This article examines the extent to which…

Results of a two-year longitudinal study show that the major predictor of first-grade success is not determined by written test scores, but by social competence demonstrated in interactive, peer-group settings. Manipulating objects, encountering languages, and learning while playing offer better learning readiness clues. Includes six references.…

The impact which standardized mathematics tests have upon classroom instruction--content, sequence, pacing--is explored, and harmful consequences are discussed. Four suggestions are offered for enabling teachers to minimize "teaching for the tests" and to present a mathematics curriculum appropriate for their particular students. (DG)

We used the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) data to examine how important mathematics readiness levels are to subsequent achievement growth and the efficacy of instruction and engagement in producing such growth. The ECLS-K selected a nationally representative sample of kindergartners in fall 1998 and is following…

Author says graded classrooms and graded textbooks based on them are the key stumbling blocks to progress in our whole educational system. (Author/JB)

THE TEST OF BASIC INFORMATION (TOBI) IS A 54-ITEM, MULTIPLE-CHOICE PICTURE TEST DEVELOPED TO MEASURE PREACADEMIC, SCHOOL-RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE. IT CAN BE USED TO ASSESS PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS BY GIVING IT AS A PRE- AND POSTTEST. IT CAN BE ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUALLY, OR TO GROUPS OF UP TO 15 IF THERE IS 1 ADULT FOR 3 OR 4 CHILDREN, AND TAKES FROM 15 TO…

This report presents evaluative information on the 1973-74 John Burroughs Montessori Pre-School Program, a project which successfully adapts the Montessori method to the public school setting. Specifically, the report describes: (1) the program in terms of its objectives and philosophy; (2) the characteristics of participants in the program; (3)…

A follow-up study of the Early Childhood Education Project (ECEP) was conducted in Richmond, Virginia to determine the effects of preschool experiences on selected aspects of pupil performance at the beginning and completion of grade 1. EPEC is a Head Start type program organized for the regular school year. The sample was divided into three…

Although normative figures of the performance of late kindergarten and entering first grade students on standardized readiness measures are usually available in the test manuals, no such data is available for pupils about to enter kindergarten. In order to obtain such data, 638 kindergarten (P-K) children in Minnesota were tested on three…