There has been an emphasis on educators to improve student achievement, particularly in low socioeconomic schools. The latest research encourages educators to use student data to drive instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine if using data to arrange students by academic performance improves academic achievement. A middle school in…

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…

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…

Billions of dollars are spent searching for programs and strategic plans that will prove to be the panacea for improving literacy achievement. With all of the experimental and researched programs implemented in school districts, the overall results are still at a minimum and many improvement gains have been short term. This book focuses on…

Describes a study to determine a nongraded, continuous-progress program's effects on five- and six-year-old students' attitudes toward school, readiness scores, and mastery of subject matter. Results found no statistically significant difference in readiness scores between kindergarten students in traditional classes and those in nongraded…

A pilot project in 20 Oklahoma public schools during the 1980-81 school year indicated that algebra can be mastered by students of average ability if the material is presented in increments and sufficient time is allotted for understanding to occur. (Author/WD)

States that learning can shut down very quickly when learners are held back or pushed by grade-level constraints. Argues that multiage classrooms support each learner's continuous progress based on each child's experience, background, learning needs or strengths, and interests. (SR)

Examination of the literature reveals that all reviews of research comparing grade retention policies with social promotion policies favor social promotion. Grade retention fails to ensure greater achievement, either by retained students or their classmates, and frequently leads to long-term damage in the areas of personal and social adjustment.…

Examines pupil test data to identify map and globe skill categories in which sixth graders are deficient; determines the grade levels and the extent to which these skills are introduced and maintained in selected elementary social studies textbooks; and estimates whether the deficiencies would be prevented if teachers follow one series through six…

An individualized program begun in the West Bend public schools in 1968 is evaluated in terms of completions and achievement. It appears that it is feasible to establish a continuous-progress, nongraded foreign language program within a traditional junior or senior high school without adversely affecting language achievement. (KM)

This paper presents findings of the longitudinal School Success Study (SSS), which is being conducted to determine the academic and social effects of nongraded (multiage, continuous progress) programs on Tennessee elementary school students. Covering the years 1993-99, the research seeks to identify successful school practices in both nongraded…

The Ardmore, Oklahoma, School District developed the 3-year Pyramid Project to implement the following recommendations of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation Study of exemplary programs for high ability students: (1) broaden the process for assessing student abilities, (2) adopt continuous progress and appropriate pacing, (3) cultivate students'…

This article describes the types of nongraded elementary schools that were prevalent from the 1950s through the 1970s, reviews research on the academic achievement effects of nongraded schools, and draws inferences from this research for application of nongraded systems in today's schools. Research in which an objective measure of achievement was…

This investigation was conducted as an attempt to document certain aspects of small group work and their relationships with process education. Particular attention was given to such student characteristics as ability levels, quality of group performance, and attitudes toward problem solving. Small groups of students were videotaped while working…

THIS ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTAINS 373 ENTRIES ON THE NONGRADED SCHOOL FROM 1916 TO 1960. (DG)