Data-driven decision making is a critical leadership skill. This study describes how leadership at a four-year university used extant data to improve student outcomes. The University identified the high rate of first-time-in-college (FTIC) student withdrawal/failure in initial algebra courses as having a detrimental effect on other student success…

The present study investigated parents' experiences in making educational decisions for their children with autism and their satisfaction with said outcomes. Parents completed a survey describing (a) their input in educational decisions, (b) satisfaction with school personnel, and (c) satisfaction with their child's school experience. Sequential…

As a way to raise attainment, schools are encouraged to form ability groups across classes for particular subjects. There is limited evidence however about the relationship between setting and primary school children's characteristics and how teachers perceive them. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between set positioning for…

As some colleges and universities experience low rates of student success, many point to the large number of students who are placed into and fail to complete developmental education courses. Research examining the efficacy of course placement tests has suggested that success rates would increase if students were placed more accurately. A recent…

Background: Grouping students into classes by ability on a subject-by-subject basis, also known as setting, is a common practice in many educational systems. An important issue is therefore the way in which setting decisions are made. While educators and policy-makers favouring setting claim that ability or achievement is the sole criterion used,…

A study examined circumstances leading to residential school placements. Findings revealed wide variations in the use of residential schools by 21 local English authorities and conflicting views between and within authorities on the suitability of such placements. Parents' experiences were characterized by a lack of support in their…

Traditionally, correlation coefficients have been used to validate course placement decisions based on test scores and high school grades. Because placement systems restrict the range of both the predictor and outcome variables, correlation coefficients based on data from students enrolled in particular courses are understated relative to what…