The lack of utilization of evaluation studies is criticized. It is suggested that program directors be asked to submit proposals to evaluators which will demonstrate that the directors are competent to utilize the information provided and to assess the quality of the evaluation. (JKS)

From her review of the final evaluation reports of 81 career education projects, the author notes seven common pitfalls in career education program evaluation. For a related article by this author, see pp75-83 of this issue. (SJL)

Male and female college students experienced either partial reinforcement (persistence training) or continuous reinforcement on either of two instrumental tasks as therapy for failure-induced depression and subsequently were exposed to protracted failure (extinction). Durable and partly generalizable persistence training effects were shown.…

Observations about middle class high school dropouts are reported by staff of Project SAIL (Student Advocates Inspire Learning), an intensive special program involving peer and individual counseling. (CL)

How to restart failed readers and get them on the reading track is the theme of the authors. The problem is a major one; the solution may change many lives. (Editor)

Zaire has one of the highest attrition rates in Africa--about 90 percent of the students who begin seventh grade never receive twelfth grade diplomas. This study demonstrates that administration policy and social environment of schools, as well as student ability and performance, may account for high failure rate. (RW)

Summarizes research findings on the academic and social effects on students of grade repetition, and concludes that most students do not benefit from nonpromotion. (JG)

A number of factors that might have been thought to be important in contributing to student dropout appear to have had little effect on variations in the dropout rate at Flinders. Two factors do appear to be important: the relatively open entry system to Australian universities, and the higher failure rate of part-time students. (LBH)

Argues that Texas' dyslexia laws and practices are misguided, with children being routinely tested on instruments that have no demonstrated validity or reliability for educational assessment purposes. Suggests that few school districts actually have implemented either assessment or instructional intervention practices that can be defended, given…

States that reading is an intense personal and creative experience. Contends that the way teachers are educated to teach reading and literature must be improved. Opines that when the reading of real books is personalized, the possibility of responding genuinely to the needs of troubled readers is significantly increased. (PA)

Presents a study comparing different selection methods in the identification of underachievers: (1) absolute split method; (2) simple difference score method; (3) regression method; and (4) nomination. Focuses on 12- to 15-year-old Chinese students (n=126) in Hong Kong. Reports that the statistical methods had the highest congruence for selecting…

School failure of Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin children is complex and not attributable to language factors alone. Although dual-language immersion has promise, educators must consider possible negative effects, quality of instruction in minority languages, effects on intergroup relations, and issues of language and power. (SK)

Considers the notion of schools in a "spiral of decline," in which less popular schools within a market system lose numbers and increase their proportion of socially disadvantaged pupils over time. Using data derived from all secondary schools in England from 1989 to 1999, finds little evidence for any increase in the existence of such…

Studied beyond students' failing scores on a state reading assessment to investigate the needs of struggling students and implications for policy. Results for 108 students in 17 elementary schools suggest that scores on state tests mask distinctive and multifaceted patterns of students'reading abilities that require dramatically different…

Provides a humorous look at remedial reading strategies by proposing a method of upside-down reading for remedial reading teachers to use with poor readers. (MG)