Outlines the process of mastery learning and the benefits it has for student attitude and achivement. (RK)

Presents abstracts of 17 documents from "Resources in Education" on programed instruction, personalized system of instruction, and computer-assisted instruction. (PD)

Determines if grade nine students (N=98) experiencing similar instructional characteristics but participating in either mastery or traditional labs would demonstrate different concept retention levels. A matched pairs design was employed. Results indicate mastery-based instruction fosters an improvement in cognitive learning of students in this…

Presents a rationale for using a Mastery Learning approach to competency-based education in public speaking. Identifies assumptions and applications of such an approach and describes procedures for teaching public speaking competence on this basis. (JMF)

Presents a theory of school learning that attempts to explain individual differences in school learning as well as to determine the ways in which such differences may be altered. (MP)

Explores the instructional effectiveness of diagnostic testing in mastery teaching. A set of objectives with diagnostic tests were taught to high school students in one of two human psychology classes; the other class was taught by standard instructional methods. Results comparing achievement and attitude indicate no differences for either group.…

A new idea is catching on fast: instead of giving all students the same classroom time and grading A to F, give each the time and the teaching technique he or she needs to master the subject. (LBH)

Discusses the effects of mastery learning and criterion-referenced grading schemes on student memory and motivation to succeed. Indicates that such programs are effective in college level developmental education programs. Provides suggestions for establishing criterion-referenced grading schemes, including several variants of mastery grading…

Every developmental education teacher would probably agree that motivation to complete assignments is one of the biggest obstacles to getting students to practice necessary skills. Short stories and other types of recreational reading might help motivate students, but they need to learn specific skills to help them cope with college textbook…

The Reading Experiences Associated with Partners (REAP) approach to science combines reading process and product. Students work together sharing their ideas, interests, and knowledge. Results are recorded, and every effort is made to arrange the classrom so that it will aid students in meeting the task objectives. Children can be paired with a…

A brief description is given of a small school district in which the Mastery Learning approach to instruction has been operative since 1971. This study examined the teacher evaluation records written by the school principals in the District in order to determine the behaviors, attitudes and actions that these school administrators encourage in…

A survey of relevant research strongly suggests that the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) offers considerable potential for community college instruction. It has five main features: students move at their own rates of speed, utilize written study guides, demonstrate mastery of each unit before continuing, meet with proctors for periodic…

A total of 51 students participated in a study to determine the effect of a behaviorally oriented individualized instruction program on the objective grammar proficiency of academically deficient college freshmen. From a group of special students, 15 were randomly selected for the individualized instruction while 17 were assigned to sections of…

This study investigated the validity of the research methodology which sought to compare methods of instruction through the application of univariate statistical procedures, to contribute to the development of the theoretical position which contended that students of different abilities, needs, preferences, and attitudes should be differentially…

Describes a range of alternative organizational patterns which are possible in mixed ability situations and attempts to make explicit their underlying values and assumptions. (Author/RK)