THE TRENTON, MICHIGAN, PHASE-ELECTIVE ENGLISH CURRICULUM, APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH (APEX), WAS DESIGNED FOR A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 2000. STUDENTS ARE PLACED ACCORDING TO ABILITY IN AN UNGRADED CURRICULUM INCORPORATING FIVE ABILITY LEVELS (PHASES) AND ARE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE FROM AMONG…

This study examined ability grouping of students in relationship to the amount of time they received from teachers, the effects of grouping on students' self concept, and grouping students according to their social behavior as perceived by the teacher. Information was obtained on the criteria teachers used for placing students in various groups,…

THIRTY STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12 CLASSIFIED INTO HIGH, AVERAGE, AND LOW ABILITY GROUPS, USED EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE PLASTICS AND EQUIPMENT TO CONSTRUCT A FOAMED RUBBER ICE BUCKET TO PROVIDE AN INDICATOR OF THE SUCCESS OF THE POLYSENSORY SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DEVELOPED FOR THIS EXPERIMENT. A PRETEST DETERMINED EXISTING KNOWLEDGES AND…

The idea of "grouping" in schools ranges from group teaching to grouping of pupils, with many variations on these two themes. The self-contained classroom, found usually in the elementary grades, consists of one teacher with one grade-level class for the full day and for all subjects. The departmental approach, found at all levels, employs…

A report on the use of color-coded cards to teach slow learners beginning Spanish is presented here. Each card packet taught a specific concept and allowed for individualized pacing and self-testing. Achievement tests were administered at specific intervals to assess student progress. The report indicates that there was a significant increase in…

This study analyzes the relationship between student achievement and school mobility climate. The hypothesis is that an average individual achievement score tends to drop as the school mobility climate becomes increasingly more selective. A selective climate classifies students by ability or achievement as early as possible through tracking or…

As the major instrument for the discovery and training of talent, the school in contemporary technological society plays an increasingly deterministic role in the selection of individuals for particular occupations and, hence, particular positions in the social hierarchy. The Netherlands was chosen as a research site because the consequences of…

Public education in American society has been established on the premise that all children and/or youth should be afforded an appropriate education at public expense. Only in recent history has the concept of "all" been extended to the handicapped and other minority groups in a comprehensive interpretation. This report contains summaries of…

This paper synthesizes the three substantive reports on ability grouping described in TM 000 501-503. It lists the characteristics of ability grouping as practised in American school systems. Extensive conclusions and recommendations, generally unfavorable to ability grouping are given. Alternative educational strategies for improvement of…

Describes several facets of small-group instruction including teacher, group, and individual behaviors and use of time. Observational data were supplemented by teacher interviews concerning student groupings. Grouping practice appeared to result from decisions teachers made primarily on the basis of three factors: the teacher, the students, and…

Discussion of the use of color in microcomputer-based educational software focuses on a study of Israeli ninth graders that examined the differential effects of three color treatments on the learning of geometric concepts by students with differential aptitudes. Hypotheses tested are described and results are analyzed. (28 references) (Author/LRW)

Considers the instructional potential of computer adventure games to develop text-processing skills. Design improvements to increase metacognitive skills are discussed, a prototype adventure game utilizing intact prose is described, and a study using the game with sixth-grade readers of varying ability is reported. (LRW)

Discussion of instructional materials design focuses on using learner interests to increase relevance and motivation. A study is described that investigated the motivational effects of incorporating high school seniors' interests into instruction on syllogisms, using both high and low achievers. Results are analyzed, interests discussed, and…

This study investigated the stability over time of: (1) student behavior in small groups; and (2) the relationships among student and group characteristics, group interaction, and achievement. Measurements were taken for two three-week instructional units, three months apart, on 110 students in three average-ability junior high school mathematics…

Evaluates the report of the Commission on Reading, "Becoming a Nation of Readers," which focuses on giving attention to classroom teaching, testing, and teacher education. It gives recommendations for changes in the way reading is taught and includes the list of 17 recommmendations from the report. (MD)