This book discusses the poor self-image of children with learning disabilities, reviews the history of identifying and serving children with learning disabilities, and addresses the need to serve children who are failing in school but do not qualify as having a learning disability. The book emphasizes the role and responsibility of the school for…

This study used a double method approach to examine Quebec kindergarten and elementary school teachers' beliefs about grade retention. The research combined a quantitative approach, in which 227 teachers responded to a questionnaire, with a qualitative study of a selected sub-sample of 12 teachers holding opposite beliefs about grade retention.…

This study investigates the correlates and consequences of grade repetition on student academic progress and social and emotional development using the first grade cohort data from the "Prospects" longitudinal database. Analyses looked at two types of comparisons, same age and same grade, on three contrasting groups of students: (1) retained…

Characterizes typical training programs on "learning to think," outlines past research, and lists criteria for an aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) study of the relationship between tasks, training methods, and student attributes. Details are given of two computerized experiments examining the different effects of algorithmic and…

Questionnaires or interviews were completed by 120 Afghan and 125 Iranian students enrolled in American universities, concerning their academic, personal, and social problems. Data were analyzed according to nationality, sex, age, marital status, major, duration of stay in U.S., financial sponsorship, and undergraduate v graduate student status.…

Describes strategies used in a successful program to reduce dropout, failure, and suspension rates among Black and other minority group students in an urban high school. (ST)

Reviews a number of issues relating to the results of evaluation studies: standards of acceptability; clinical vs. statistical significance; fallacies in the use of theory; and program, theory, measurement, and design failure. (Journal availability: Subscription Manager, MOBIUS, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA 94720.) (SK)

The Horowitz case is consistent with the general reluctance of courts to sustain constitutional challenges to decisions by educators in academic matters. Precedent is heavily weighted in favor of the academic community and should be overcome in future challenges. (Journal availability: Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR 97301, $5.00…

Because a large number of nonattending students had been retained in the first three grades, a nongraded or pass-fail system in early elementary grades was recommended to reduce the negative impact of failure on student performance. Incentives for attendance were also suggested. (JMF)

Historically ranked low on student performance, the New Orleans schools are fighting back with a new program called the Secondary Curriculum Improvement Program. (Author/JM)

Performance and persistence on the Concealed Figures Test and the Embedded Figures Test decreased: (1) after short-duration failure when subjects were falsely led to attribute failure to task difficulty; and (2) after long-duration failure when subjects were falsely led to attribute failure to lack of ability. (CP)

This review examines the literature on the social and behavioral characteristics of the educable mentally retarded (EMR), as children and as adults, which might influence their acceptance or rejection by non-EMR peers in a regular classroom. Attempts to modify undesirable behaviors are also reviewed. The conclusions are pessimistic. (SJL)

Seventeen mildly retarded group home residents (19-30 years old) were trained in independent living skills and placed in independent living situations. (Author)

This study questioned a previously observed relationship between seventh grade academic failure and later dropout behavior using five mediating variables. Researchers estimated a causal model with data from individuals tested in seventh through ninth grades and as young adults. Certain mediating factors (e.g., low motivation and perception of peer…

A University of Washington study investigated predictors of performance for 205 students in a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency. Results show clinical residency performance was predicted by clerkship honors grades, probation predicted by failing a basic science course, written board performance related to status with a medical…