Examines recent research to show that group-based mastery learning programs have consistently positive effects on student learning outcomes, including academic achievement, material retention, involvement in learning activities, and student attitudes. These programs also affect teachers and have considerable potential for implementation in regular…

Analyzes the procedures used in mastery learning to determine if they are consistent with those of the skills management approach to reading instruction. Concludes that they are not. (FL)

The Outcome-Based Instructional Systems approach is a comprehensive design for teaching and learning and instructional management that has its roots in the mastery learning and competency-based education movements of the early 1970s and has been implemented in hundreds of schools and districts across the country. The first part of this brief…

Alternative approaches to education can work well if they are based on common sense and sound research. Recent research findings are reported for alternative approaches to three areas: curriculum, testing and measurement, and instruction. (TE)

Offers a critical review of eight articles and two journal issues dealing with school indicators of student success or failure; state models for school improvement and accountability; teacher burnout as an outcome of paperwork burdens; the impact of reform efforts; class size; trends in educational evaluation; mastery testing; departmentalization…

Examines the role of teacher effects in mastery-learning research. A review of the literature reveals the following: (1) failure to control for teacher effects; (2) tendency to redefine teaching as managing; and (3) tendency to reduce teaching from a professional to a technical field. (Author/BJV)

Studies on reading comprehension for bilingual students are reviewed to examine the importance of first-language mastery prior to second-language acquisition. Immersion program factors analyzed include automaticity, plateau effects, need for a variety of sociolinguistic settings, oral facility versus cognitive academic linguistic abilities, and…

Reviews breakthrough studies in the development of higher mental processes. These studies include: (1) influences on talent development; (2) the relative effects of tutoring, mastery learning, and conventional group instruction on student achievement; (3) the importance of cognitive prerequisites; (4) textbook organization; and (5) methods of…

This paper draws heavily on quantitative synthesis of empirical research on teaching, and for comparison, related influences on learning, such as the student's motivation, home environment, and exposure to television. The first section explains the techniques of explicit search and selection of evidence and the statistical evaluation and summary…

Prepared as part of a series applying recent research in oral and written communication instruction to classroom practice, this booklet discusses three visual models of teaching written composition. The first section of the booklet discusses the content area model, which begins with an abstraction presented to students (definitions of parts of…

The guide is intended to help teachers of mildly handicapped (learning disabled, behavior disordered, and mildly retarded) students develop and modify language arts activities keyed to specific learning needs. A preliminary chapter discusses principles of teaching for mastery and generalization including sequential modification, identifying and…

This literature review examines the teaching techniques and school environments that have been linked with high scores on standardized tests. It describes the strategies that might be used to achieve one particular educational goal, while making teachers aware that trade-offs are required when they choose to emphasize one particular goal. The…

Discusses results from studies reported from 1958-86 examining the different methods of teaching calculus. Alternatives to lecture presentations to supplement and enhance learning include discovery and group learning, self-paced classes, programed materials, and use of computers. (over 50 references) (MDH)

This research review examines the effects of instructional variables on the learning of handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals. The research review begins with an historical look at learning disabilities research. An overall analysis of the differential effects of instructional variables on learning-disabled and nonhandicapped individuals…

Educational practices with students in both regular and special education that have stood the tests of time, research, and application are described. They include peer tutoring; direct instruction; cooperative learning; self-instructional training; curriculum-based measurement; instructional alignment; and learning strategies. (DB)