Approximately 2 million students take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations annually. However, departmental policies that allow students to replace introductory courses with AP credit greatly vary within and across universities, even across relatively similar universities. This study examines the impact of AP credit policies on second-course…

Over the last decade, policymakers have been experimenting with competency-based education, an instructional reform that relies on flexible pacing to enable students to achieve content mastery at their own pace. In this paper, we draw on mixed-methods data from teacher surveys and interviews to examine the use of flexible instructional pacing in…

In this article, I outline thoughts regarding the complexities and possibilities of the next generation of reading intervention for students who do not benefit from typical instructional practices. I ground my recommendations in school-based research and observations conducted primarily in kindergarten through third grade and more recently in…

The quality of student learning and achievement in public schools has become a matter of public discourse and policy, thus led to the establishment of charter school concept. However, there are controversial reports on the academic performances of charter schools, inadequate information on their instructional practices, and the learning…

This article reports that in 1996, Alabama officials approved the "4 x 4" plan, which made their state the first in the country to require students to complete four years, or four credits each, of math and science for high school graduation. Other states have since followed suit, with policymakers arguing that higher standards are…

Comprehension of statistics and research methods is crucial to understanding psychology as a science (APA, 2007). However, psychology majors sometimes approach methodology courses with derision or anxiety (Onwuegbuzie & Wilson, 2003; Rajecki, Appleby, Williams, Johnson, & Jeschke, 2005); consequently, students may postpone…

It has been called many names: Continuous Progress Format, Advancement Based on Competency (ABC), Continuous Progress Schools, and Continuous Progress Education. The idea of "Continuous Progress" refers to academic and developmental growth of students in a multi-age program. Students learn new materials as they are ready, regardless of…

The problem of achievement gaps among different subgroups of students has been evident in education for many years. This manuscript revisits the work of renowned educator Benjamin S. Bloom, who saw reducing gaps in the achievement of various groups of students as a simple problem of reducing variation in student learning outcomes. Bloom observed…

Ability grouping's positive aspects (improved self-concept, achievement, and individualization) affect students in higher ability groups, whereas its negative aspects (impaired student mobility, instructional quality, self-concept, and achievement) affect students in lower ability groups. To make ability grouping work for all students requires…

A PROGRAM PROVIDING TALENTED CHILDREN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE THE FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH GRADES IN 2 YEARS IS GIVEN. ENRICHMENT GROUPS ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN WHO WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM ACCELERATION. THE PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO DEVELOP BASIC SKILLS, HABITS OF EFFECTIVE THINKING, CITIZENSHIP, LEADERSHIP, SELF-KNOWLEDGE,…

An assessment of 48 urban public high schools to examine the degree to which stratification within schools contributes to the prevalent association between socioeconomic background and educational outcomes of students, concludes that educational outcomes depend more on the criteria of selection than on the process within schools. (Author/KM)

As the result of a time-shortened degree experiment, 31 end-of-year freshmen were accelerated to junior status. The students showed high academic performance and few social problems, but questions of personal identity remained problematic. The best single predictor of academic success in the junior year was the freshman grade point average.…

Examining student promotion standards in American education, the author reviews the origins and history of the shift between merit promotion (which advances students based on demonstrated skill competence) and social promotion (which advances students in response to their social needs). Case studies of promotional policies are provided for schools…

Evaluates Murdoch University's policy of flexibility which allows external students to pace their courses over one or two semesters by examining student enrollment patterns, academic performance, and student and staff attitudes. (EAO)