Asserts that the question of whether high school students should follow a uniform academic program or choose options from a differentiated curriculum has reemerged as a crucial issue. Describes how the Detroit (Michigan) Public Schools enrolled most students in a "general" track that did little to meet actual student needs. (CFR)

Growth of reading vocabulary from first through fourth grade was determined for 288 elementary school students (initial sample 756) from urban and rural disadvantaged schools and a suburban mainstream school. Results show great vocabulary increases and suggest some reasons and remedies for the gap between mainstream and disadvantaged schools. (SLD)

In spite of increasing ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity, educational reform efforts continue to target mainstream English-speaking U.S. public. The educational plans of the America 2000 initiative are no exception. This theme issue provides examples of classroom-based research in which educators try to improve literacy education for…

Interviews Turkish adolescents who have graduated from the West German education system to reconstruct problems faced by children of Turkish immigrants in West Germany as they confront a modern education system that clashes with traditional home environments. Argues that, the more independent students become to complete school, the more conflict…

Increasing teachers' senses of efficacy toward educating minority, poor, and low achieving students is an important element of school restructuring. Changing societal values toward individual differences and misconceptions about students' abilities to learn is essential. Teacher behaviors that are effective with low achievers are effective for all…

Describes reforms at a Bronx intermediate school which registered large gains in students' comprehension performance. The success depended on active, engaged learning, intensive assistance for low achievers, personal development of students, coordination of instruction, availability of instructional support personnel, outstanding leadership, and…

Perceptions of four reading-disabled middle school students were examined to reveal factors that may have prevented progress in reading. The following were identified as contributors: (1) ineffective use of reading strategies; (2) student perceptions of their reading instruction; (3) reading-related stress; and (4) students' educational histories.…

The effects of gender and behavior as perceived by teachers on their judgments of the academic skills of their students were studied for 794 students in kindergarten through grade 2 in public and parochial schools. Results show that teacher perceptions are a significant part of their scholastic judgments. (SLD)

Describes a study that investigated the effects of three levels of personalization--individualized, group, and nonpersonalized--on the achievement of seventh-grade Hispanic students on printed mathematics word problems. Previous research is reviewed, criterion measures are described, and student attitudes are discussed. (30 references) (LRW)

Describes a study of undergraduate students that investigated the effects of two types of learner control and two types of incentives--task-contingent and performance-contingent--on learners' achievement, attitudes, use of options, and time on program using computer-delivered instruction. Implications for instructional design and research are…

Reports research examining the effects of writing activities on mathematics achievement. Results indicate that prewriting activities, such as modeling or prompts, are essential and that regular, systematic writing over an extended period can improve students' performance in, and attitude toward, mathematics. (15 references) (MDH)

A number of recent approaches to instruction appear to improve the thinking skills and academic performance of low achievers. Lists six steps to successful reform and an additional six strategies focused on alienated low achievers. Provides information sources for programs described. (MLF)

This study of diversity within a Catholic high school in a midwestern city examines the effect of the "caring community" on the achievement of African-American and other minority students. Through teacher, student, and parent interviews, analyzes caring and helping offered, uses of humor, and involvement in school activities. (JB)

Discussion of characteristics of users of computer-mediated communication systems and scientific networks focuses on a study of the scientific community in Chile. Topics addressed include users and nonusers; productivity; educational level; academic specialty; age; gender; international connectivity; public policy issues; and future research…

Compared the problem-solving and computational skills of first-grade students whose teachers had participated in staff development to learn to teach using a Cognitively Guided Instruction framework to first-grade students whose teachers had not. Students in experimental classes performed significantly better in solving word problems and completing…