This investigation sought to study the socioeconomically disadvantaged child and his levels of achievement as related to the control of positive and negative reinforcements, personality constructs, classroom behavior, and parental attitudes about classroom behavior and school achievement. The sample consisted of 50 matched pairs of eighth grade…

This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of experiments performed in Mexico, D. F. by way of introducing new techniques for teaching reading and writing, particularly in the remedial classes. The first part of the document deals with a series of experiments carried out with first grade remedial groups as follows:…

Designed to increase understanding of how schools contribute to the reproduction of the social order, this case study examined the tracking system in a high school English department. Teachers themselves, because of their ambitions and tolerances, created the tracking system and competed for high-status students. The teachers also became tracked.…

Hemispheric preferences of high and low ability, right-handed elementary school children (n=70) were investigated using the Your Style of Learning and Thinking instrument. Results showed a significant difference between the two groups on integrated responses, with the high ability group having a higher preference for integrated functioning…

Analysis of classroom process data from junior high school English classes indicated that heterogeneity of students' entering achievement levels in a given class limits teachers' successful adaptation of instruction to individual student needs. Higher heterogeneity was also associated with a lesser degree of student task engagement and…

Reading deficits among elementary-aged learning disabled children with suspected neurocognitive dysfunctions were calculated. The children were grouped according to IQ profiles. Results indicated that the pattern of high verbal-low performance IQs was associated with the least deficiency in reading ; this association was evident as early as second…

Describes a study of fifth and sixth graders that investigated the effects of cooperative training and ability grouping on microcomputer learning. Results on four measures of achievement did not support the use of cooperative learning or ability grouping to enhance achievement in computer-assisted instruction. (Author/LRW)

Lessons learned in the merger of two junior high schools, one predominantly black and one predominantly white, with a history of competition and distrust, illustrate the sense of community that can be developed with shared decision making and respect for cultural differences. Reducing ability grouping was vital in unifying the academic structures.…

Using detailed information from the records of Australian students, found that in English and mathematics, the level of study that students access is strongly related to socioeconomic background, gender, and school attended. Found strong effects of placement in the middle years on school completion, access to academic courses in senior school, and…

Surveys how British primary schools group their students for different school subjects, such as according to class ability or mixed ability grouping. Finds that most schools used the class ability groupings, either in mixed or ability groupings. Includes references. (CMK)

Challenges common conceptions about disadvantaged learners, curriculum challenge and sequence, teacher role, the relationship of classroom management to academic work, and ability grouping arrangements. By striking a balance between teacher direction and learner responsibility, students' capacity for self-regulated learning increases over time.…

Describes study that compared the performance of high achieving and low achieving undergraduates on two computer assisted instruction modules, one in which learners were forced to review informational frames following errors and one where the review was optional. Dependent and collateral variables are discussed and criterion referenced tests used…

Discusses the problems for a head of department in organizing first foreign language classes. The merits of ability grouping are briefly analyzed. The mixed ability approach is proposed as most desirable, especially with the use of topic-based as opposed to traditional grammar-based language courses. (Author/LMO)

Examines the connections between tracking and economics, racial segregation, and the "hidden curriculum." Recommends the following alternatives to tracking: (1) personalized instruction; (2) shared decision-making about use of class time; (3) active learning; and (4) collaborative learning. (FMW)

Reports the results of several test-reliability experiments which compared a modified confidence weighted-admissible probability measurement (MCW-APM) with conventional forced choice or binary type (R-W) test scoring methods. Psychometric properties using G theory and conventional correlational methods are examined, and their implications for…