This document reviews the Phase Achievement System (PAS), a mastery-oriented instructional method, being utilized to teach biology at Iowa State University. The system is designed to reduce student failures from competitive, nonrepeatable examinations and presents course content material in a modularized form. A comparison with traditional lecture…

The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the performances of students in a beginning course in educational statistics. Modified mastery learning strategies such as the use of a pretest, diagnostic tests, parallel midterms, and an extended time allowance to master the content were employed during the course. Data was available on 359…

In this interview, James Block explains the model of mastery learning, developed by himself and B. Bloom, according to which individual differences in academic ability are lessened by appropriate teaching methods. (GW)

Two proponents of the precision teaching approach to teaching the handicapped discuss such principles as: the problem of partial application of the method; relationship to behaviorism; relationship to experiential learning; and the importance of fluency in task performance, mastery learning, and recordkeeping. (DB)

Investigates the cognitive and affective student learning outcomes of 16 semesters of a mastery learning approach in teaching business and distributive education classes. Concludes that mastery learning does produce successful learning experiences for at least 80% of the students. Provides mastery learning teaching strategies. (SRT)

The overall effects of cues, participation, and corrective feedback on classroom learning are estimated. The constancy of effects of these instructional qualities were explored across characteristics of students, and educational and contextual conditions. The results confirm the Dollard-Miller-Carroll-Bloom theory that has evolved during the past…

In this interview with Executive Editor Ron Brandt, Bloom answers criticisms of mastery learning and explains why he believes it is so important. (Author/JM)

A post-quiz remediation strategy based on mastering a sequence of subskills in college algebra resulted in higher examination scores for students. (Editor)

Disheartened by working at Children's Hospital and Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles, UCLA-trained Hunter became a school psychologist to concentrate on prevention, rather than remediation. Ultimately, she became a consultant aiming to move teaching from a craft to a profession based on research translated into artistic practice. (MLH)

The personalized system of instruction (PSI) is characterized by mastery, specified objectives, self-pacing, small-step sequenced materials, repeated testing, immediate feedback, credit for success rather than penalty for errors, proctors, and lectures for motivation. Research indicating the effectiveness of PSI is cited, and problems with…

Reviews research on four dimensions of temperament: positive emotionality/approach, fear, irritability/frustration, and attentional persistence. Applies knowledge of temperament to teachers' approaches to children's mastery motivation, fear of novelty, and ego-based anxiety. Argues that educators' training should include understanding of…

Our aim in this paper was to provide an analysis of goal orientation parameters with respect to reading comprehension strategy use for students with and without reading difficulties (RD). Non-RD students appeared to be more mastery oriented and less performance avoidant compared to RD ones. Also, non-RD students used, more, deeper, more…

This paper explores what has been reported by several researchers in an attempt to make recommendations on the most effective method of introducing basketball to elementary school age children. Based on this review the following observations are brought forward for consideration. Factors which significantly affected student success include: height…

Grouping students to facilitate instruction alone, instructional delivery systems which maintain student dependency on teachers, the practice of teaching to disseminate information without mastery, class norm-referenced grading practices, and study habits which focus on getting grades, help produce the educational dilemma faced today. In mastery…

Mastery Learning, a learning strategy which denies the inevitability of the normal grading curve, holds promise in skill-building courses. For a composition course using this strategy, course objectives must first be established and stated behaviorally, after which the course may be broken into learning units, each lasting perhaps two weeks. At…