Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) provides international comparative data about students' reading achievement after four years of primary schooling, while also measuring trends over time, monitoring curricular implementation, and identifying promising instructional practices. Conducted on a regular 5-year cycle, PIRLS has…

This paper reports on a survey of public and Catholic elementary schools in southwest Pennsylvania. The purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which various educational practices, association with those two types of schools, have been adopted in the schools and whether Catholic and public schools differ along a continuum of…

This essay describes the pertinence of Social Network Analysis (SNA) for the social sciences in general, and discusses its methodological and conceptual implications for comparative research in particular. The authors first present a basic summary of the theoretical and methodological assumptions of SNA, followed by a succinct overview of its…

The science curricula in grades K-6 in 4 school districts from 4 states are analyzed and compared. Two districts employ a content approach using textbooks as the dominant medium, whereas the other two employ a hands-on approach using manipulative activities and thematic units. Implications for students with disabilities are considered. (Author/PB)

This exploratory study compares key features of the Singapore and U.S. mathematics systems in the primary grades, when students need to build a strong mathematics foundation. It identifies major differences between the mathematics frameworks, textbooks, assessments, and teachers in Singapore and the United States. It also presents initial results…

This final report presents a summary and second-year findings of a 2-year project designed to measure the effectiveness of microcomputer instruction on reading and mathematics skills, classroom behavior, general cognitive development, and problem-solving ability of 700 disabled students (ages 3-11) enrolled in four special education schools in New…