The purpose of this report is to document the development of the McREL Approach for those interested in school improvement. This document builds upon an earlier intensive site report (McIver & Dean, 2004) and the preliminary McREL Approach report (Dean, 2004). The first section describes the McREL Approach framework, which includes six stages…

Summarizes results from a larger report identifying both school and individual variables related to the test score decline of the 1970s. Public awareness of the relationship between changes in student and school variables and score decline will help prevent another national educational deficit of this type. (LHW)

In blaming television for low test scores and poor academic achievement, critics ignore other, more compelling factors that should be addressed. The quest of educators should be for more and better ways to capitalize on the useful aspects of the child's viewing experience. (Author)

Simulated data were used to demonstrate that groups formed by imposing cut-points based on either discrepancy or low-achievement definitions of learning disabilities (LD) are unstable over time. Similar problems were demonstrated in longitudinal data from the Connecticut Longitudinal Study, where 39% of the children designated as having LD in…

Provides statistics on school failure and presents methods used to teach language and second language courses in Belgian primary schools. Included are the aims of language courses, the principles of instruction, and descriptions of specific instructional strategies employed. (JDH)

Student opportunity to learn may be the critical variable in explaining student engagement and subsequent achievement. Lower-ability students are systematically discriminated against in quality of instruction and curricular content and in use of learning time. Suggestions regarding teacher preparation to offset these patterns are made. (MT)

Many of today's youngsters are alienated, poor achievers with drug dependencies. Recent "liberating" developments for adults, such as simplified divorce procedures, have lessened adult input in children's lives. Support of children from public institutions wanes as political conservatism increases. Effective solutions are sorely needed on the…

This study examines promotion and retention standards at the elementary school level in Detroit Public Schools. Forty-eight teachers from five schools participated. Data collected for each of 420 randomly selected students included: (1) mastery and nonmastery ratings on each of the essential skills in language arts, affective education, and…

This report contains districtwide data on service priorities for the use of Urban, Rural, Racial Disadvantaged program (URRD) funds in Seattle, Washington. Information is offered describing (1) the proportion of low achieving students in reading and mathematics in each school; (2) the extent of poverty in elementary school attendance areas; (3)…

Analyzes teacher beliefs concerning academically at risk students in inner urban schools. Categorizes teacher beliefs on the following two dimensions: (1) whether teachers believe some type of instructional assistance could improve achievement or whether they ignore low performance; and (2) whether teachers assume the responsibility for improving…

The prevailing expectation in education today is, "All children can learn." This expectation includes all children, including disadvantaged children and those who come from poverty. Our actions are guided by our expectations. If we believe that all children can learn, then children can learn. If we believe that children cannot learn, then our self…

This report examines the relationship between attributions that explain the present by examining past behaviors and those that examine current behaviors to predict and control future behaviors. A fundamental difference is proposed between students who are high versus low in academic need achievement. The high achievement student is described as…

Improving education outcomes is vital for achieving convergence with GDP per capita levels in Western European countries and for reducing income inequality. While some education outcomes are favourable, such as the low secondary-school drop-out rate, others have room for improvement: education achievement is below the OECD average and strongly…