Educable and trainable mentally handicapped students have been integrated into Pingle School, a comprehensive program for 11- to 18-year-olds in England, in accordance with a plan of separate learning situations for students of differing abilities combined with opportunities for social interaction and common learning. (GW)

Reports on a congress of language school personnel, whose main theme was the desirability of abolishing university entrance tests in foreign languages, and of stressing instead better counselling of students and differentiated instruction (grouping according to achievement level) at the university level. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The Department of Italian Studies at the University of Toronto focuses on language training by relating other components of foreign language study (literature, linguistics, etc.) directly to the language training process. The department features a streaming system (beginner, native-speaker, and matriculant) which places students of linguistically…

Points out that traditional teaching methods, which have been replaced by more effective methods for the majority of students, are still used for low-ability students. Argues that these students need the best materials available and teachers who are knowledgeable about current educational theories. (SRT)

Argues that previous research overlooks the structural and organizational factors that affect sex differences in the mathematics achievement of school children. Examines, in particular, the effect of ability grouping. Concludes that sex is a factor in the assignment of students to ability groups and that males are more likely than females to be…

Briefly sketches some of the circumstances and beliefs that led to the institution of tracking for managing student diversity. Suggests how these social, political, and historical factors can continue to sustain deleterious tracking practices. Offers some promising directions for altering ability grouping and tracking. (PS)

Strategic differences in spatial tasks are explained in terms of different cognitive coordinate systems that subjects adopt such as standard versus arbitrary, task-defined axes. A theoretical account of mental rotation of individuals of low and high spatial ability solving problems from psychometric tests is instantiated as computer simulation…

Concludes that children's reading ability is not the sole reason behind their placement in particular reading groups and that teachers also consider such things as their ability to do academic work, work habits, classroom behavior, personality, and, occasionally, their home environment. (FL)

The effects of ability grouping on the achievement and self-esteem of fourth-grade students were assessed through regression-discontinuity analysis. Standardized achievement test scores showed an increase in the high ability students after one year. No significant differences were assessed in self-esteem. (Author/DF)

Two explanations for the effect of ability groups on student achievement are discussed. One stresses the importance of peer groups, the other differential instruction. Little evidence was found that achievement differentials in elementary school grouping systems arise from either peer influence or from differential instruction. (Author/IS)

Two studies investigated whether instructing students to organize recall would differentially facilitate performance of "fast" and "slow" learners (defined from pretest recall performance). Instructions to employ alphabetic organization facilated performance of both groups to the same extent, whereas categorical organization facilitated slow…

A small-town desegregated southern high school with blacks comprising two-thirds of the students was studied. About 200 students enrolled in an American history and government course were sampled. Data showed that racial separation occurred by ability grouping, elective course selection, classroom seating selection, verbal interaction, and…

Join Carol Ann Tomlinson and Cindy A. Strickland in the continuing exploration of how real teachers incorporate differentiation principles and strategies throughout an entire instructional unit. Focusing on the high school grades, but applicable at all levels, Differentiation in Practice, Grades 9?12 will teach anyone interested in designing and…

This issue of a research journal on gifted education explores different perspectives on tracking in schools, the difference between equity and equality, whether equity is the enemy of excellence, and how all can be treated equally if some people are more intelligent than others. Specific articles include: (1) "Inequity in Equity: How 'Equity' Can…

This issue of a research journal on gifted education explores the concept of intelligence and giftedness, talent development, gifted education, and educational research. Specific articles include: (1) "Spearman Revisited: Contemporary Views of g" (Milton Dehn); (2) "Exceptionally High Intelligence and Schooling" (Ellen Winner), which argues for…