The goal of the "Closing the Achievement Gap for 21st Century Learners in West Virginia (CAG)" report, 3rd edition, is to update West Virginia educators to the status and improvement of student achievement in West Virginia which may then be utilized as a basis for determining future educational decisions. In order to enhance the quality…

Program evaluation uses hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to evaluate 99 ethnically diverse second-graders' growth in oral reading fluency using curriculum-based measurement (CBM). Results reveal that first-grade reading performance significantly predicted initial second-grade reading performance. Argues that the use of HLM with normative CBM…

One of a series of educational packages designed for implementation either in a workshop atmosphere or through individual study, this Hot Topic guide on reading program evaluation presents a variety of materials to assist educators in designing and implementing classroom projects and activities centering on the topic of evaluating the progress of…

Success for All is a schoolwide program developed by R. Slavin in the late 1980s. It has expanded from a single urban school in 1987-88 to approximately 300 schools in 23 states in 1995-96. The program serves all elementary school students. It relentlessly pursues success for every student, attempts to prevent learning problems, and intervenes…

This paper examines how controlling statistically for baseline covariates (especially pretests) improves the precision of studies that randomize schools to measure the impacts of educational interventions on student achievement. Part I of the paper introduces the concepts, issues, and options involved. Parts II and III present empirical findings…

This report is the fourth in a series pertaining to student attendance in the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Schools. It focuses primarily on 1985-86 school data and addresses district needs for development of conventional and non-conventional approaches to improvement of student attendance. The report begins with a literature review that describes…

An examination of the Russian reading program, this report first describes the nature of American interest in Soviet education. Sections 3, 4, and 5 then present overviews of the Soviet cultural context, the structure of the Russian language, and the organization of the Soviet school system. Section 6 discusses the course of language study from…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA) requires districts with schools that have not met state performance goals for 3 consecutive years to offer their low-income students supplemental educational services (SES), such as tutoring, if these schools receive Title I funds. SES are provided outside of the regular school day by a state-approved…

In order to substantiate the need for college level developmental reading programs, this paper reviews research conducted in the area from 1971 to 1981. The paper provides bibliographic information for 96 entries drawn from a search of ERIC, Dissertation Abstracts International, the William S. Gray Research Collection in Reading, and journals in…

Evaluations of IBM's Writing to Read program for kindergartners and first graders are reviewed. The 21 kindergarten studies evidenced a median effect size of 0.23; however, in many cases this effect may be a result of comparisons with nonacademic programs. Across 13 first grade studies, the median effect size was 0.00. (TJH)

Struggling adolescent readers need interventions that provide them with opportunities to read more and to read better. The authors examine two case studies of interventions at work and propose criteria on which to evaluate intervention programs. Their review of the evidence on these programs for struggling adolescent readers suggests that at least…

This paper analyzes the 19 studies presented to the National Institute of Education's (NIE) panel on the effects of school desegregation on black achievement and discusses the author's own findings. The author concludes that desegregation did not cause any decrease in black achievement generally, nor did it cause any increase in math achievement.…

Eight case studies representing valid and extensive reading research were reviewed to determine the impact of school principals on student reading achievement. In all eight studies, principal leadership behavior was positively associated with reading achievement and school outcomes. Evidence indicated that reading effectiveness was enhanced by…

Describes the various components of the Success for All Program (SFAP) and provides a detailed review of its effectiveness in improving the academic accomplishments of students placed at risk, including English-language learners and special education students. It also compares SFAP with Reading Recovery programs. Results of evaluations of 23 SFAP…

The focus of this paper is on the methodology used in analyzing studies on the effects of school desegregation on black achievement. The paper also addresses a number of substantive issues, including the overall effectiveness of school desegregation, the impact of type of achievement (math or reading), and time of desegregation (early or later…