In 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Kindergarten Readiness Act into law, which changed the kindergarten entry age so that children must turn 5 by September instead of December to enroll. The new grade level was put into place to promote school readiness for California's youngest learners. It also established a new grade…

In 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Kindergarten Readiness Act into law, which changed the kindergarten entry age so that children must turn 5 by September instead of December to enroll. The new grade level was put into place to promote school readiness for California's youngest learners. It also established a new grade…

The issue of minimum competency testing (MCT) was put on a three-day trial conducted by the National Institute of Education. Both pro and con sides agreed that MCT shouldn't be used for teacher evaluation, allocation of educational resources, and retention of nonpassing students. (Author/GK)

As part of an effort to reduce the dropout rate in New York City public schools, a new project called Replicating Exemplary Holding Power Programs was created in June, 1983. Five schools participated as "demonstrators" because they were judged to have noteworthy holding power programs. Five additional "buddy" schools were…

A study investigated whether retention is an effective method for remediating low-level readers. It was hypothesized that there would not be a significant difference in reading test scores of low level readers between those who were retained in second grade and those who were promoted to third grade. The Metropolitan Achievement Test was used as a…

This evaluation report examines research on kindergarten programs and practices for children who are at risk of school failure. Programs which present evidence of positive effects and which can be replicated at other sites are identified and discussed. A proposal is made for the development of a data base which gathers information on instruction…

The Philadelphia Business Academy is a vocational work-study program based on a public education/private industry partnership. The program is undergoing modifications in response to new state requirements for school promotions. The moderations are detrimental to the unique features of this program and may affect its future success. (VM)

Re-examines whether or not early retention results in positive long-term academic and behavioral outcomes for a subgroup of kindergarten children with attention problems. Results do not support the notion that pre-elementary school retention is a beneficial educational intervention for children with academic and/or behavior difficulties. (RJM)

Investigates the academic effectiveness of a prekindergarten program in a suburban, predominantly Caucasian upper middle class school system. Matched children who spent an extra year in prekindergarten with youngsters who proceeded directly to regular kindergarten. Using achievement test scores and other measures, found no significant differences…

Extra-year school readiness programs, which serve as "developmental kindergartens" or "junior first grades," are well-intentioned transition programs between kindergarten and first grade that are intended to serve children judged to be at risk for early school failure. Despite their good intentions, these programs are…

In response to the problems of nonpromotion, a school district near Rochester, New York introduced the transition class (TC) as a placement alternative after kindergarten for students not ready for the grade one program. Follow-up evaluation investigated the effects of four treatment conditions over a six-year period. (Author)

This report summarizes results from the 2007 Austin Independent School District summer school program at those Title I schools that provided summer services to students who did not attend other district summer school programs.

This study uses rich empirical data from Brazil to assess how a government program (PDE) that decentralizes school management decisions changes what goes on in schools and how these changes affect student outcomes. It appears that the PDE resulted in some improvements in management and learning materials, but little change in other areas including…

The Durham Public Schools Communities in Schools (CIS) Academy provides a student-centered environment that encourages high-risk students to remain in school and get back on track for graduation. Program operations began in January 1995. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the first semester of operations (the second semester of…

The District of Columbia's Student Progress Plan (SPP) was designed as the delivery system for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), and regulates student promotions based on skill attainment and mastery of the instructional objectives. An evaluation of SPP was conducted in the second semester of school year 1985-86, and its findings are…