Three tests with increasingly more difficult sentence structures, developed for use with children at fourth-grade level or below in reading vocabulary and in mathematical computations, were administered to 30 eighth-grade Ss. Results revealed a significant difference between the test with greater syntactical complexity and the two other tests.…

This study investigated the effect of presentation of a good solution method on poor students' solving generalization problems and the difference between good and poor students' evaluation of a good method. Subjects were fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Three hints were presented: the suggestion of using a "solve a simpler problem" strategy,…

An ethnographic study was conducted in an elementary school to test the theory that teacher's self-described "worst classes" were those with a predominance of remedial reading students. Predictions of worst classes were made upon the basis of the schedules of students in the school reading laboratory. Designated teachers were asked to identify,…

A first-year elementary teacher explains how she helped a slow learner work up to her potential. Two experts suggest strategies for teaching slow learners: setting up an at-risk program; peer tutoring; adapting teaching to the learner's capabilities; and understanding individual learning styles. (SM)

Demonstrates the consequences of teaching rules without understanding using examples from two 3rd grade children. Suggests alternative instructional strategies. (KHR)

Reading comprehension was compared in 20 adult illiterates, 20 low-achieving students in grade two, and 21 low achievers in grade four. Results indicated similar processing difficulties in all three groups. Readers were weak in constructing meaning beyond a clause unit, and did not differentiate processing for narrative versus expository material.…

Research on effective Chapter One programs shows that comprehensive classroom programs and intensive supplementary programs have the greatest potential for improving achievement of at-risk students. Proposes that part of the funding in Chapter One programing go to research. Includes five tables. (MD)

Reports on a study of self-concept among 424 Greek elementary students classified as normal achievers, low achievers, and those with learning difficulties. Finds that special education students rated themselves lower than their normally achieving and low achieving peers on academic self-concept. (CFR)

Combined teacher ratings of perceived cognitive competence and misbehavior accounted for the most variance in peer acceptance or rejection of educable mentally handicapped children. Ratings of academic competence were associated with both acceptance and rejection of educationally handicapped children (a category of low achievers used in…

Evidence regarding the centrality of word recognition to the reading process is considered, based on a review of research on beginning reading from 15 secondary sources. The research includes diverse learners who are low performers, learning or reading disabled, remedial readers, high achievers, culturally disadvantaged, language delayed, and…

A high percentage of students in a second-grade class with low socioeconomic characteristics demonstrated exceptionally low achievement in social studies. The problem was addressed by the implementation of an interdisciplinary program to increase basic skills in all areas of the curriculum. Activities designed to increase the target group's…

Noting that thousands of young children with the capacity to experience school success do not because they are unprepared for school learning activities, have experienced physical or emotional setbacks that cause them to be at risk for early learning failure, have never experienced limits on their behavior, or have mild sensory or motor deficits,…

Evaluates whether eight low-achieving Native Canadian children performed better than a matched group of eight non-Natives using the Category Test relative to Full Scale IQ. Explores relationship between Category Test performance and levels of academic achievement. Discusses implications of Native children's higher levels of abstract reasoning…

This report identifies some of the relative advantages and disadvantages enjoyed by differing language groups in the Toronto school system. Eight groups of students were selected and studied in an attempt to determine whether cultural differences produce distinct patterns of performance on a variety of measures. The groups selected represent the…

In eight Title I classrooms 32 first grade students were observed as they completed reading and writing assignments without continuous teacher supervision. Observations focused on the students' immediate responses, such as attention, performance on the assignment, and reported understanding of the task. Two working hypotheses are presented about…