Two approaches to the application of psychological theories to education might be referred to as domain-general and domain-specific. The domain-general approach seeks a general theory of cognitive and other skills that apply across subject-matter areas. The domain-specific approach seeks to apply specific theories within given domains, such as…

The quality and effectiveness of students' mathematical explanations as a function of the ability of the tutor were studied with dyads from 20 classrooms (60 students) in which students had been practicing peer tutoring for 23 weeks. Tutees of high-achieving peer tutors offered better explanations. (SLD)

Examined the class formation procedures used in 22 elementary schools from two districts and the influence these procedures had on the composition of 200 classes, 56 of which were combination classes of students from two grade levels. Principals tended to assign higher ability and more independent students to combination classes to ease teacher…

Examined the class distributional properties of 200 elementary school classes in 2 school districts. Fifty-six classes were combination classes of students from 2 grades. Principals and teachers tended to assign higher ability and more independent students to such classes, and these assignments affected the class distributional properties.…

This study of all high school graduates of June, 1966 in San Diego, California, supports the conclusion that college entry is affected by the socio-economic contexts of students' neighborhood and school through the intervening influence upon manifest ability, as indicated by IQ scores and grade point averages, and upon college aspirations. (Author)

Tutored Ss displayed significantly greater achievement gains than Ss instructed in a classroom setting when time, the curricula, and teacher differences were held constant. (Authors)

See EJ 014 381. (CK)

The types of help students sought while solving mathematics problems under the tutelage of an adult were studied for 118 3rd and 6th graders classified as high, medium, and low achievers. Sixth graders were more likely to ask for process-related hints. Other age and ability differences are discussed. (SLD)

Determinants of children's self-perceptions of ability were assessed in 158 second and sixth graders by examining intercorrelations among self-ratings of ability, effort, and conduct and by exploring criteria used for these judgments. Results suggest that children's judgments of ability, effort, and conduct are interrelated but distinguishable.…

Explanations for varying emphasis on teaching for higher order thinking in U.S. secondary classrooms and teacher goals are considered. Responses of 303 secondary school teachers (teaching 1,205 classes) to a questionnaire about higher order skills and instructional goals indicate that higher order skills are more emphasized in high-ability…

Investigated the effects of group ability composition on group processes and outcomes in science performance assessments. Findings from 21 eighth-grade science classes (445 students) show that group ability composition has a great impact on performance and that heterogeneous groups provide more of a benefit for below-average students than a…

The influence of mathematics-specific teaching practices on class-level mathematics achievement was studied using Second International Mathematics Study data for 236 eighth-grade classes (approximately 7,000 students). Links between class characteristics and teaching practices are explored. High socioeconomic status and high-ability students…